In early 1859 his military career began. The Taranaki Rifle Volunteer Corps had been founded late the last year, in response to growing settler concerns about Maori resistance to their land-buying approaches. A nomination of officers was held on 12 February 1859. Nine gentlemen were elected as officers, and Isaac Newton Watt was elected as captain. On 22 February 1860 Taranaki erupted into open war, as the First Taranaki war began after the illegitimate purchase of the Waitara block. The Taranaki militia was called out for active service. This militia included the Taranaki Rifle Volunteer Corps as well as a small mounted company.