Six times in U.S. history, high-ranking generals have defied the Administration or their military superiors in such terms as to cause public furors. Four of the generals were later nominated for the presidency—and two were elected. The six:
Andrew Jackson, the nettle-tempered hero of the War of 1812, clashed with the Administration of President Monroe during the First Seminole War (1818). Jackson was given permission to pursue warring Indians across the border into Spanish Florida, but because of strained relations with Spain and England had orders to seize no Spanish military posts. He ignored orders, stormed the forts of St. Marks...
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