Born in 1750 in Pomerania, he entered the military service of Prussia on 4 February 1763, in his father's infantry regiment, called Alt-Stutterheim.

He fought in the war against the Kościuszko Uprising in Poland, especially at the meeting at Rawka on 6 June and the end of August 1794 was at the Siege of Warsaw, where he received the Order Pour le Mérite for his actions.

[1] In the War of the Fourth Coalition (1806-7) against France, Stutterheim commanded the 21st Fusiliers, which was garrisoned in Heilsburg, East Prussia, part of modern-day Poland.

[1] Subsequently, he participated at the Battle of Königsberg (1807) on 14 June 1807 in support for the 3rd Outpost Brigade commanded by Prince von Anhalt Schaumburg.

Most of the third outpost brigade under the direct command of the Prince had become separated from the main force on the night of 12/13 June and came up behind the French line.

[5] After the loss at Eylau and the subsequent Prussian military disintegration, he aligned himself with the army officers supporting a nationalist war.