Although Brown had never been involved in regular service, he knew that British infantry, once committed to the army, had to remain in service at the pleasure of the crown. These boys from poor families, often Scots and Irishmen, made the military a career and were proud of their regiments, which became their family and their home. They were forged into a cohesive fighting force by strict discipline and intense training, with almost constant battle in Europe providing experience in strategy and tactics that ensured their superiority in any theater of war. Their infantry units were exceptionally fearsome, led by ambitious young officers always eager to prove their gallantry. They lived with the fact that their standard muskets were inaccurate except at relatively close range, but when their ranks held solid even after accepting casualties from enemy fire, they knew they could rely on the devastating use of bayonets in hand-to-hand combat.

Brown had to decide how he could be most helpful without having any real military training. By examining records of previous purchases, he was able to gather personal knowledge of farm families who produced the meat and grain for the British so that, when necessary, he might deal directly with them. It was a surprise to him how great a geographical area had to be covered to obtain enough food for the fort, and how high were the prices. One problem was that many of the Whig farmers refused to permit their produce to be consumed by the British.

His mind turned more and more toward the possibility of combining the military efforts of regular British forces and natives in the interior. In the broadest sense, he saw the advantages of massive movements of British forces into the southern colonies while Creek, Cherokee, and Coweta braves were marshaled to move on a broad front against disloyal Whigs. On the other extreme, Brown envisioned small groups of natives and Redcoats being used to cover south Georgia, to intimidate individual settlers, and to secure supplies for the growing population of St. Augustine.

Brown rarely left the fort during these early days in St. Augustine and was relieved that no others in his rank or below seemed to know about his embarrassing experience in Augusta. He saw Colonel Prevost only rarely, and felt uneasy with him, sensing that his presence might be resented. Although he had been introduced briefly to Governor Tonyn, his subsequent response was mainly just a momentary glance at the scars left from the rope around Brown’s neck and the burns on his hands. He had a good relationship with the major and finally asked if he might begin his military training. Furlong seemed to relish the prospect and said, “You are in for an adventure. I will have Sergeant Alonzo Baker report to you Saturday morning.”