 In June 1846, at the outbreak of the Mexican–American War, Van Buren was reappointed to the regular army as a paymaster with the rank of major.In spite of his absence while serving in the military, Van Buren still enjoyed close relations with his father.When the former president renovated and expanded his estate Lindenwald, located in Kinderhook, New York, during the years of 1849 to 1851, a corner room on the second floor opposite the master bedroom in the original home that was built in 1797 was reserved for Van Buren and his wife.