During the Chilean Civil War of 1829, he participated in the battles of Ochagavía and Lircay. In 1831 Maturana was promoted to Major and in 1834 to Lieutenant colonel. During the War of the Confederation he fought at the battles of Portada de Guías (1838) and Yungay (1839), and in the capture of Lima. In 1847 he was promoted to Colonel and named Aide-de-camp to President Manuel Bulnes.