He started his military career in 1865, the year of the campaign against Araucania began.
In 1868, he participated in battles at Collipulli, Perarco, and Curaco, fighting large bands of Moluche Indians.
In 1879, he began the campaign on Chile's north coast, during the War of the Pacific against Peru and Bolivia.
He participated in the expeditions of Dibujo, Pisco, and Ica and the campaigns in interior Peru and the highlands of Junín and Cerro de Pasco.
He commanded the troops that fought at Duneguai against the forces of Peruvian colonel Secoca entrenched in Oijú.