He became a student in Uppsala in 1771, a cornet in the South Scanian Cavalry Regiment in 1774, and a lieutenant in the East Gothic Cavalry in 1774.
At the start of the Russo-Swedish War he fought at the early battles in Sweden, including one at Karlskrona, then in 1789 he was ordered to accompany the fleet as a staff-adjutant to his friend Duke Karl, who had also been his commander early in his military career. He fought in the 1789 sea battle of Öland and then in 1810 was appointed Governor of Stockholm in connection with the murder of Axel von Fersen, helping to restore calm in the Swedish capital and contributing to various charitable and social initiatives, including one for improved childcare. He held the post until 1812, when he resigned from it after a dispute with the magistrate.
Also from 1810 to 1812 he was director of the Royal Theatre. He then won a victory at the Battle of Bornhöved in 1813 and participated in the 1814 war on Norway, and became one of the early sponsors of Bernadotte's candidacy for the Swedish throne.
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