Furlong said, “You have to understand the need for you to leave Carolina, and to minimize public knowledge of what happened in Augusta. We don’t have enough military forces in either Savannah or Charles Town to move into the backcountry with any hope of success. Such an effort, as desirable and justified as it might be, would be unlikely to succeed. It is better not to reveal this weakness of our troops or the extent of the building rebellion. The top officials decided, I think rightly, that it is better to let this be treated as your personal problem, and not as an official incident that would require retribution. As unpleasant as it is, you must accept the responsibility for what happened, although I have to add that I do not hold you to blame for the confrontation. I hope that I would have acted similarly. The next decision to be made is what you shall do here in Florida.”

Brown restrained himself as he considered what Furlong had said and then, with an intensity that surprised and somewhat concerned his new superior, he replied, “Sir, I shall soon be adequately healed of my present injuries and ready for any assignment that you might give me. I have never commanded men and have little actual military training, but I am willing to do anything to correct these deficiencies. If you will give me the opportunity to learn how to be a soldier, on my own time, I will also perform other regular duties to the best of my ability.”

“Come back tomorrow at this time, and your assignment will be ready.”

As he emerged into the brilliant Florida sunshine and walked haltingly back to his assigned quarters, Thomas Brown realized that, for the first time in his life, he had established a definite and exalted ambition. He was obsessed with the commitment to master the art of combat, specifically that designed to accommodate the peculiar circumstances of the woods and swamps between him and Augusta, Georgia. During the night, he tried to resurrect memories of the wilderness and was disgusted with himself that the images were still alien and fearsome. He had a hazy realization that he would need British tactics correlated with those of the native Indians, and it was clear that he had neither. He was hardly aware that his former fear and timidity were being replaced by hatred, vengeance, and a lack of concern for his own safety.

The following day Brown returned to the office, attempting to conceal his limp as much as possible. Major Furlong looked at the young lieutenant for a while and, apparently having made a decision, leaned back to indicate that he had an extensive statement to make.