[1] At his request, he was released from Greek service in 1837 and, after his return on August 20, 1837, was re-employed as a second lieutenant in the 11th Infantry Regiment "Delamotte" of the Bavarian Army.

Stephan was promoted to major general on August 4, 1861, he assumed command of the Royal Bavarian 2nd Infantry Brigade [de].

Stephan took part in the Franco-Prussian War as commander of the 1st Division / 1st Army Corps and distinguished himself particularly in the battles of Wörth, Sedan and on the Loire.

In addition, he spoke on November 2, 1870 under the chairmanship of the General of Infantry and commanding general of the II Army Corps under the leadership Jakob von Hartmann and held the Order Chapter unanimously that he was worthy of admission to the Order because of the excellent leadership of his division in the Battle of Wörth.

At Villepon, on December 1, 1870, he was so badly wounded by a Chassepot bullet in the abdomen and by shrapnel in the chest that he had to relinquish command of the division and be taken back to Munich.