Born at Herwijnen in the province of Gelderland, the Netherlands, van den Bosch arrived in Java in 1797 as a lieutenant, but was quickly promoted to colonel. He departed in 1810, because of differences with Governor-General Daendels. After his return to Holland in November 1813, Van den Bosch agitated for the return of the House of Orange. He was recommissioned in the army as a Colonel and made Commander of Maastricht. He later became a Major General. Van den Bosch helped found the Society for the Founding of Poor Colonies and was especially associated with the Colony of Frederiksoord.