Buchanan received his appointment to United States Military Academy at West Point during Adams ' administration and graduated in 1830 . He was soon assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry as a brevet second lieutenant . His assignments included service in the Black Hawk War ( he commanded gunboats during the Battle of Bad Axe ) and against the Seminoles , as well as in the removal of the Cherokees to the Indian Territory . He was promoted to captain during his service in Florida
removal
Trail of Tears
Robert C. Buchanan