On the other side was Swiss colonel Augustine Prevost, the rigidly formal Florida commander who was closely associated with other officers in the regular British forces, notably including his brother George and his son James Mark. He deeply resented the unstructured operation of the Florida Rangers and had objected officially and strenuously when Governor Tonyn had given Brown a provincial appointment as lieutenant colonel. Prevost had never acknowledged any accomplishment of the Rangers and had failed to forward to Brown a commendation that had been received from General Sir William Howe. Instead, he reported to Sir William that “there are now four companies of Rangers, but they are of little service and without any control or regulation.”

Governor Tonyn obtained a copy of this message and hastened to assure Sir William that Brown was a gentleman of education and from a family of reputation and fortune who led the Rangers effectively and in almost constant danger to himself. He reported that these raiders, fully authorized and supported by him, had supplied St. Augustine with food and other supplies, including more than three thousand head of cattle, and had been extremely successful in recruiting Indians into the service of the king. He added, erroneously, that Brown had personally led in the capture of Fort McIntosh. Overall, Brown was pleased with his status and was looking forward to an increased role for the Florida Rangers in the future.

BOOK III

1778–1785

CHAPTER 31

The British Southern Strategy

1778

Early in the spring of 1778, there was a meeting of unprecedented importance in St. Augustine, and carefully chosen officials occupied the six available chairs around the small table in the governor’s private anteroom. There was a brigadier general named McPherson from General Sir Henry Clinton’s headquarters, Governor Tonyn and his chief political aide, newly promoted Brigadier General Augustine Prevost, and two of his deputies, one of whom was his brother George. Thomas Brown sat by himself, in a corner of the room, having been invited by the governor but forbidden to bring any other members of the Florida Rangers.

It was now almost two years after independence had been declared, and everyone in the room was aware of the discouraging developments in the colonies. Although the British had taken New York and Philadelphia, they had been defeated at Saratoga, failing to cut off New England from the rest of the continent. In addition, royal governors had been forced out of Norfolk, Savannah, and Charles Town, and their efforts to retain the loyalty of citizens were doubtful at best.

Governor Tonyn was presiding, and everyone became quiet when he stood at the end of the table and cleared his throat.