 Michel was deployed to South Africa in 1847 where he commanded his Regiment at the Battle of Waterkloof in March 1851 and the Battle of Mount Chaco in December 1851 during the Eighth Xhosa War.Promoted to brevet colonel on 20 June 1854, he became an Inspecting Field Officer for the recruiting districts on 1 October 1854 and then Chief of Staff of the British Army's Turkish contingent serving in the Crimean War with the local rank of major-general on 27 March 1855.After returning to South Africa again with the local rank of major-general on 24 July 1856 to deal with attacks by the cattle-killing movement, he was transferred to India with the local rank of major-general on 7 August 1857 and commanded the Malwa Field Force which pursued Tatya Tope in the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny.