The lieutenant was devastated, and speechless for a few minutes. He was inclined to dispute the governor’s assessment but quickly remembered his own personal observations and various bits of information that he had received lately. He had to admit that the royal military forces in Georgia and South Carolina were minuscule compared with the demands on them. Most of the able-bodied men had been sent either northward to serve with General Thomas Gage, who was under pressure in Massachusetts, or down to St. Augustine to help defend Florida against threatened attacks from Georgia. At the same time, South Carolina’s provincial congress had recruited three regiments of volunteers, so far not involved in insurrection but pledged to “resist force with force.”

Without further response, he took his leave of the governor and returned to his room in the barracks to consider what he should do next. His own pain and embarrassment were proof of growing rebel sentiments in the backcountry, but he had had no idea that the Tory cause was even weaker on the coast. Still, he had sworn to avenge himself, and this was by far the overriding commitment of his life, regardless of personal danger. What could he possibly do under the circumstances?

That afternoon, Colonel Hawkins came to see him, asked how he was feeling, and said, “The governor suggests that you leave South Carolina immediately, in order to recuperate from your injuries, and that you make your departure with little public notice.”

“Sir, this is a suggestion that I do not intend to accept. I will wait here until I can talk to him about a further assignment in His Majesty’s service, and am sure that I can make a convincing case.”

“Let me rephrase his message: this is not a suggestion, but a direct order. In fact, there is a brig leaving in two days bound for St. Augustine, and your passage on it has been arranged.”

“But, sir, I know nothing of St. Augustine and have no business there.”

It was only the lieutenant’s well-known lack of military training and his possible high connections in London that allowed the colonel to be patient. He explained, “We have had control of Florida now for two and a half years and consider St. Augustine to be an important bastion in our defense forces in the east. Also, there is considerable military activity in north Florida, where we are working very closely with our Indian allies. The governor feels that you can be quite useful there. I will return tomorrow with your written orders, and to make more detailed plans for your departure.”

Brown was distressed at what was happening and decided to play what he thought might be his best card in this verbal contest.