At the age of ten years he started his services as Page of Honour, in 1772 he became a lieutenant of Vyatka infantry regiment but in few weeks went under command of Yakov Bruce as aide-de-camp.
He started his services as Page of Honour he became a lieutenant of Vyatka infantry regiment but in few weeks went under command of Yakov Bruce as aide-de-camp. This was in 1772. This was at the age of ten years.