He fought in the War of the Bavarian Succession, became a Captain and Company Commander in January 1779, a Major in November 1786, and a Colonel and Officer of the Gensdarmes in April 1789.
[3] Having already been sent on diplomatic missions under King Frederick II, in May 1789 he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in St. Petersburg, where he presented his letter of credence on 22 June 1789.
On 9 September 1789, he was also elevated to the Prussian nobility as a Count by King Frederick William II.
Much to his dismay, he was recalled from St. Petersburg by the King on 24 February 1794 and awarded the Order of the Red Eagle.
[4] Together, they were the parents of:[2] Count von der Goltz died on 15 June 1816 in Berlin.