He was the father of Achille Baraguey d'Hilliers, a Marshal of France, and the father-in-law of General Damrémont, governor-general of Algeria.

By 1793, he had been promoted during the siege of Mainz to général de brigade and served as chief of staff to Adam Custine.

Luckier than his chief who died under the guillotine, he was released after the overthrow and execution of Maximilien Robespierre.

After another spell in prison on suspicion of royalist tendencies, he was posted to Louis Hoche's army.

In 1798, he accompanied Bonaparte to Egypt but after the French captured Malta he was sent back to France with the trophies.

Recalled from Spain, he served in the Russian campaign of 1812 where his troops were assigned to guard Smolensk after that city was captured by the French.

During the retreat from Moscow, Emperor Napoleon ordered Baraguey d'Hilliers to march east to meet him.