He entered the Adolfinum-Gymnasium in Bückeburg at the age of 10, and would excel in math, science, history and geography.

After the insurrection was quelled Voigts-Rhetz engaged in a dispute with the royal commissioner for Posen, General Karl Wilhelm von Willisen.

During the Austro-Prussian War Voigts-Rhetz served as chief of staff of the First Army, led by Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia.

Voights-Rhetz was an opinionated soldier and critical of Chief of Staff Helmuth von Moltke, however was intelligent and courageous.

During the Franco-Prussian War Voigts-Rhetz's X Corps became part of the 2nd Army, again led by Prince Friedrich Karl.

Howard, Michael, The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France 1870–1871, New York: Routledge, 2001.