On 2 October 1855 he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in the 82nd Line Infantry Regiment (French: 82e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) and passed colonel on 12 July 1859 at the 43rd Line Infantry Regiment (French: 43e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne).

He was named by an Imperial decision on 30 March 1867 to the command of the 1st Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division (French: 2e Division d'Infanterie) of the Imperial Guard, consisting of: On 23 October 1870 with the capitulation of the army at Metz he was made a prisoner of war and was interned in Germany at Aachen (French: Aix-la-Chapelle).

By decree on 22 May 1873 he was promoted to Général de division and placed at the position of disposition, starting 1 June.

On 16 June 1874 he became inspector general of the 13th Infantry Arrondissement and added progressively to this active command, the subdivisions of the regions of Bourg, Belley, and Langres.

This patriotic movement regrouped institution members, interested in implementing basic physical culture and discipline to the young French people.

His bravery during combats of the conquest of Algeria nicknamed him as "le Bayard des braves" Wounded 6 times under fires, he totalized 4 citations.

Fabricated in bronze, the occupation authorities ordered, in 1942, to melt it simultaneously along with that of Pierre Joseph Proudhon which was nearby.