His resignation as Secretary of War, on December 29,1860, was precipitated by the refusal of Buchanan to order Major Robert Anderson to abandon Fort Sumter, which eventually led to the start of the war.
His resignation as Secretary of War was precipitated by the refusal of Buchanan. This was on December 29,1860. This was to order Major Robert Anderson to abandon Fort Sumter. Fort Sumter eventually led to the start of the war.