Tauentzien hailed from the von Tauentzien family and was born in the village of Tauentzien near Lauenburg in Farther Pomerania. He participated throughout the Silesian Wars. Tauentzien fought alongside Frederick in many of the king's great battles, including Mollwitz, the capture of Prague, Hohenfriedberg, and Kolin. He distinguished himself during the defense of Breslau against Ernst Gideon Freiherr von Laudon in 1760 during the Seven Years' War.