How did John Armstrong Jr become Secretary of War?

Working on my previously mentioned Haitian timeline so doing a lot of reading of the US and surrounding areas from about the length of the Napoleonic Wars. One of the interesting people I have come across is https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Armstrong,_Jr. Gave me an opportunity to read up on the Newburgh Conspriacy. It is widely accepted, and even alluded to in his own writings, that he wrote the letters. The Newburgh Conspiracy looks to more than a few people as a potential military coup d'etat.



It appears he was a friend of Jefferson and in 1812 was appointed as a Brigadier General before being named Secretary of War (at which he was...unsuccessful). Ignoring his epic failings as Secretary of War (which we know only though hindsight), how did Jefferson or Madison put him in any possible position of power, particularly with the MILITARY? Seems almost asking for trouble.


Then again, these are the same people who kept around known Spanish Spy James Wilkinson...
 
I can see Jeferson more than Madison - Jefferson believed in an extremely small military and essentially imagined that citizens would just rise up and protect their country whenever it was needed without having to have much experience. That is likely an exaggeration but perhaps not by a lot. So, it sounds like his type of idealized citizen-general.

Madison, however, was more pragmatic; while he disdained the National Bank at first, for instance, he chose to reinstate it later in his term. perhaps Armstrontg had a little success becasue people felt bad for him and gave him credit, & it became like Mark Twain's story Luck.:D
 
He did seem to be quite the opportunist.

He did name his son Horatio after the man he wanted to replace George Washington.

Eustis did not do a good job before him so its not like he had big shoes to fill in Secretary of War department.

I wonder who would you replace him with. Monroe is the first thought but he wanted to be Secretary of State (and next in line for President)
 
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