Franklin Buchanan expected his home state of Maryland to leave the Union and resigned his US Navy commission. When Maryland remained, he tried to withdraw that resignation. Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles refused, judging the initial choice sufficient evidence that Buchanan could not be trusted with a command. Buchanan then entered Confederate service, offering a sharp contrast with Farragut's early and public commitment to the Union.
Notable Point · 2:51:20-2:52:10
Buchanan's resignation closes the road back
Franklin Buchanan resigned before Maryland seceded, then found the Union Navy unwilling to accept his attempted return.