 During the Rhine Campaign of 1796, he led the main body of Ferino's division over the passage of the Lech and at the Battle of Friedberg.He was born in Rocroy, in the village of Chaillevois, near Laon, diocese of Soissons.He attended the School in Mezieres in 1768, where he studied engineering and geography, and was employed as an engineer in the corps of infantry.