What did President James Madison's Secretary of War John Armstrong do?

John Armstrong served as Secretary of War under President James Madison from 1813 to 1814 during the War of 1812. He is noted for his controversial management of the war effort, including the decision to abandon the defenses of Washington, D.C., which ultimately led to the British burning the city in 1814. Despite his initial support for the war, Armstrong faced criticism for his handling of military strategies and resource allocation, leading to his resignation later that year.