When Takamori raised a rebellion during the Seinan War in 1877, Tsugumichi did not take part in it and became a Rikugunkyo daiko (Deputy chief of the Army) to cover the absence of the government.
隆盛が明治10年（1877年）の西南戦争で反乱を起こした際、従道は兄隆盛に加担せず、陸軍卿代行に就任し政府の留守を守った。