Geary attempts to remain neutral in the debate over slavery, but he increasingly sides with Free-Staters and draws the ire of proslavery residents and their Missouri neighbors. After receiving numerous death threats, Geary tenders his resignation to President James Buchanan, but Buchanan fires him on March 12. On March 20, 1857, Geary leaves office but goes on to serve as a brigadier general with mixed success under General Ulysses S. Grant.