In September 1782, Vigodet participated, as a volunteer cadet, in the
Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779–1783) before being transferred to the Regiment of Murcia the following month, and becoming a second lieutenant in 1783. In 1791 he was sent to Oran and was promoted to lieutenant that same year. Returning to Spain, he was transferred to the Army of Rosellón, participating in several combats and battles of the
War of the Pyrenees, including, in 1793, the
Battle of Villelongue-dels-Monts, the
Battle of the Black Mountain and
Port-Vendres,
St. Elme y
Collioure. The following year, he distinguished himself defending St. Elme, receiving three sable wounds and a bayonet wound and being taken prisoner. He was promoted to captain the following July. In February 1797, Vigodet boarded the 112-gun three-decker
ship of the line,
Conde de Regla to take part in the
Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797) and later that same month participated in the defence of Cádiz. As a member of
Mazarredo's fleet, he saw service in
Brest, returning to Spain in 1802. In May 1805, he was promoted to captain of
fusiliers in the Africa Regiment and in February 1806, a commander-in-chief of Paraguay, post he was unable to occupy due to the
war against England. ==Peninsular War==