At the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War, he was promoted to General Major and placed in command of Rgts. 4 and 44, which together comprised the 3. Infantry Brigade, which was in turn part of the First Army under General Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz. He saw combat in that war with the Battle of Colombey-Rouilly on August 14, then on August 31-September 1 at the Battle of Noiseville. He participated in the Siege of Metz, though he was forced to take leave due to illness. He last saw combat during the Battle of Pertry-Poeuilly on 17 January 1871, during which he was seriously wounded.
