He worked as a merchant in Paysandú, but when Manuel Oribe returned to Uruguay in 1842 , after the Battle of Arroyo Grande, he accompanied the withdrawal of Fructuoso Rivera's supporters to Montevideo, and joined the Colorado Party.

Curiously, he served a year as a private and only later did he present himself to General José María Paz, identifying himself as a career officer.

In the defense against the Great Siege of Montevideo, he began to show his qualities, recognized by his own and enemies: courage, ability to command and cruelty.

Back in Montevideo, he seconded General César Díaz in the revolution that overthrew President Juan Francisco Giró in July 1853.

[3] A photo of him from a few days before that battle is preserved, and of his soldiers moving his body, both obtained by the photographers Bate & Cia [es].