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In front of a large sheepskin map, a United States officer was loudly reporting to Wilkinson: "General, at present, the Alabama River defense line is being defended by the first, second, and fifth infantry regiments. The eleventh Dragoon Corps can provide reinforcements from the west side at any time..."
The Alabama River is the southernmost defense line of the United States in the Mississippi Territory, adjacent to Baton Rouge. Near the river is also the Adams Fort, so the American Army has deployed nearly 4,000 soldiers to defend it.
With a stern expression, Wilkinson reminded, "Be prepared for the river to freeze."
He then turned and asked, "Major Kelvin, how are things on your side?"
A German officer immediately stood up: "General, three barricades have been built near Natchez Fortress, extending all the way to the Yazoo River. The cannons brought from Springfield have also been deployed."
Natchez Fortress is north of Adams Fort, belonging to the second line of defense.
Even if the French Army breaks through the Alabama River, they will be ambushed here. For the past half year, Wilkinson has invested enormous resources to strengthen the defense forces here.
Additionally, on the east side of the Mississippi Territory, there is the Stoddard Fort to prevent the French from bypassing from upstream of the Alabama River.
At this moment, a lieutenant colonel suddenly stood up and said: "General, I believe you shouldn’t merely shrink back and defend.
"Louisiana can at most muster 7,000 soldiers, while we have over 20,000 troops.
"We can launch a full-scale attack, quickly seize Baton Rouge, and then use the Mississippi River as a defense line!"
He was one of General Hampton’s men, always looking for opportunities to confront and dispute Wilkinson.
Wilkinson did not get angry, instead, he chuckled: "General Wayne once also admired offense like you do.
"But what did he ultimately gain? A damn ’Pittsburgh Treaty.’
"You might remember he lost 1,200 soldiers and his own life in just one battle south of Ohio."
He glared sharply at the officers present: "Listen, our goal is Florida!
"There is absolutely no need to have a head-on collision with the French.
"Once our troops control Pensacola, the French will naturally retreat. I want victory, not unnecessary risks!"
Pensacola is the capital of West Florida.
Yes, the predetermined strategy of the American Army is to attack from eastern Florida, quickly occupying Florida using the disadvantage of the supply difficulties of the French and Spanish armies, creating a fait accompli.
Moreover, the vast superiority in force and the strict defense lines in Mississippi State ensure France cannot effectively intervene.
Wilkinson then began to repeatedly confirm every detail on the defense line. As the combat meeting was nearing its end, a young major sitting in the corner suddenly asked: "General, it seems we have not been defending the north. If the enemy launches an attack from the direction of Western Kentucky..."
The officers present were stunned for a moment, then burst into cheerful laughter.
Wilkinson frowned. If this young man hadn’t been Hamilton’s nephew, he would undoubtedly have scolded him and thrown him out.
The previous German officer whispered to the "rookie": "Mr. Skeller, from Cahokia all the way to Cairo, the area is dense forest, and an army moving ten miles a day is considered fast. Cochati is almost a no-man’s-land.
"If the French attack from the north, the militia in Louisville will be able to cut off their supply lines at any time.
"Oh, actually even without attacking the supply line, the terrible roads there are difficult for large logistical convoys to pass through—they can only conduct small-scale raids."
Skeller awkwardly said, "So I just need to deploy a small security force in Cairo to ensure the safety of the north."
He meant the Cairo not of Egypt but a small town in southern Illinois, also the most populous place there—having less than 700 white people, mostly fur traders and adventurers.
The German officer nodded: "The French people’s only forward base is Baton Rouge. Of course, they might also fully reinforce Saint Augustine, but that would definitely be a very poor tactic."
Although Skeller was promoted to major by relationship, he also studied properly at West Point Military Academy and immediately replied: "We can cross the Alabama River and form a pincer attack with General Hampton against them."
After General Wayne’s defeat, the decisive-thinking United States Army decided to mimic Europe and established the first military academy, which is the famous West Point Military Academy in later generations.
The German officer added: "Or as Major MacKenzie suggested, directly attack Baton Rouge. We indeed have a huge advantage in force, not unacceptable if there’s a chance for a decisive battle."
The Mississippi River runs north-south separating Louisiana and the United States. Florida lies south of the United States, a long east-west strip area forming a large "L" shape with the Mississippi River. Baton Rouge is at the corner of this L.
The American Army’s tactic is to attack the easternmost part of Florida; if the French Army wants to reinforce, they must go through the bottom of this L, nearly 800 kilometers in total. The American Army can head south at any time to launch a pincer attack.
At three in the afternoon, Wilkinson finally confirmed there were no shortcomings, and all that was left was to wait for time to bring victory to him.
As he announced the end of the meeting, a staff officer hurriedly walked in and handed him a document: "General, Peachtree City Congress and Mabila Congress are requesting to reduce the number of militias being dispatched..."
Wilkinson’s face instantly darkened. According to his orders, militias from the western states were already supposed to arrive in Vicksburg a week ago, but up to now, over 5,000 soldiers from more than ten towns have not arrived. Yet these two places were saying they want to reduce troops.
This was the conscription quota passed by the Federal Congress!
He looked at the staff officer: "What’s their reason?"
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Adams graduated from Harvard College in 1755. He became a lawyer from 1758. In 1765, he wrote articles opposing the Stamp Act. In 1770, he was elected to the Massachusetts Congress and attended the First and Second Continental Congresses, participating in drafting the Declaration of Independence. In the later stages of the American Revolutionary War, he was engaged in diplomatic activities in France and the Netherlands, assisting in peace negotiations. He later served as the U.S. ambassador to England (1785–1788) and vice president (1789–1796). In 1797, he was elected president. At the start of his presidency, he faced the danger of breaking relations with France. In 1798, he published the documents of the XYZ Affair and prepared for war. That same year, he promoted Congress to pass the Alien and Sedition Acts, which violated the Bill of Rights, causing strong domestic discontent. In 1799, he decided to ease the situation, sending three envoys to France for negotiations, avoiding war. After retiring in 1801, Adams returned to his residence, spending his time reading and writing. He authored works such as "On Government" and "Defense of the American Constitution."