Of Hungarian origin, Ott fought in the wars against the Kingdom of Prussia, Ottoman Turkey, and the First French Republic in the last half of the 18th century.

During the French Revolutionary Wars, he rose in rank to general officer and twice campaigned against the army of Napoleon Bonaparte in Italy.

Born in Esztergom (Gran), Hungary in 1738, Ott joined Andlau Infantry Regiment # 57 as a Fähnrich (cadet) in 1757.

After directing the hussars in a successful action at Valje Muliere, he earned promotion to Oberst (colonel) of the regiment.

On 31 July he attacked and seized Lonato del Garda though he was later driven out of the latter place by superior French forces under Hyacinthe Despinoy and Claude Dallemagne.

[3] The next day, Ott ambushed the 12th Light Demi-Brigade, killing its commander, Brigadier General Charles-François Charton and capturing 400 men.

In the bitterly fought Battle of Montebello on 9 June, a French force led by Jean Lannes defeated Ott's corps.

When the Austrian chief of staff begged him to withdraw at the beginning of the action, Ott replied, "My outposts are attacked.

[11] Later in the battle, when French reinforcements defeated the Austrian main body, Ott withdrew in good order and brought his command off in safety.