He spent the better part of his military career in the service of the Habsburg monarchy (1782–1811), fighting as a junior cavalry officer in the French Revolutionary Wars.

After Napoleon's escape from exile and resurgence to power in France, Roussel d'Hurbal joined him again and was in command of a heavy cavalry division at the Battle of Waterloo.

Roussel d'Hurbal was a recipient of the French Legion of Honour and the Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa, a Baron of the Empire (from 1813) and a Viscount from 1822.

Although he was born in Neufchâteau, Vosges, France, Roussel d'Hurbal joined the army of the Habsburg monarchy on 1 January 1782, as a cadet in the Kaunitz infantry regiment.

However, by the end of the year, the Habsburgs were forced out of the War of the Third Coalition and into making separate peace with the French Empire, as a result of the defeat at Austerlitz.

[2] Austria stayed out of the 1806-1807 War of the Fourth Coalition, but during this period of peace, Roussel d'Hurbal saw his most important promotion yet, to the rank of colonel, in command of the Moritz Liechtenstein Cuirassiers (1 January 1807).

During the second day of battle, on 22 May 1809, the colonel received a sabre cut that pierced his helmet, but did not cause a sufficiently serious wound to prevent him from retaining command.

His brigade was heavily engaged against the French and their allies at the great Battle of Wagram on 5 and 6 July 1809, which saw the Austrian army decisively defeated by Napoleon's forces.

[1] He spent the next few months on sick leave and it wasn't until the beginning of 1814 that he was given another position, as inspector general of the central cavalry depot at Versailles (17 January 1814).

[2] On 5 April, Roussel d'Hurbal led his division to Évreux, a move that was a part of Marshal Auguste de Marmont's defection, which virtually surrendered Paris to the Sixth Coalition.

On 11 March 1815, following the news of Napoleon's unexpected return from his exile on the island of Elba, Roussel d'Hurbal, who was well-trusted by the Bourbons, received orders to travel to Lyon.

[1] After the second Bourbon Restoration, Roussel d'Hurbal seemed to retain some favour at the Court, subsequently receiving another appointment as inspector general and the title of Gentilhomme of the King's Chamber.