Born at Torredonjimeno, in the province of Jaén, he served under the Carlist general Zumalacárregui and in 1836 undertook an unsuccessful military expedition against Liberal forces in various locations, including Asturias, Galicia, Extremadura, Andalusia, and La Mancha, but suffered defeats. He lost the battles of Villarrobledo and Majaceite. He died at Bordeaux.