 He entered the Army as a cornet in the 18th Dragoons in 1774, rising to a lieutenant the next year.In 1776 he was promoted to become a captain in the 67th Regiment of Foot, and a major there in 1781.He moved regiments again in 1783, becoming a lieutenant-colonel in, and colonel-commandant of, the 77th Regiment of Foot, which was, however, disbanded shortly afterwards following an earlier mutiny.