 In 1858 he joined the 2nd Dragoon Guards to help put down the Indian Mutiny, commanding a field force in Oudh which successfully engaged the rebels at Bangaon and seeing action at the Jirwah Pass under Sir James Hope Grant.In 1860, he was posted to China as AQMG of cavalry in Sir Hope Grant's expedition and was present at the actions of Sinho, Chankiawan, and Palikao, narrowly escaping death in an ambush when reconnoitring for a campsite outside Peking.He became a colonel in the army the same year.