With a complete military victory assured, Cornwallis believed that the best strategy for concluding the war in the south was to convince any doubtful families that loyalty to the king was advantageous to them. On this, he and Brown had no differences, but the two men disagreed strongly on how best to convince the potential rebels. Cornwallis was already stretching the policies of higher authority to require active support of the crown and not just neutrality, but the Rangers’ additional abuse of settlers had aroused the attention of London. Brown was convinced that rewards should be restricted to Tories who were loyal enough to take up arms against the revolution, and that all others should be intimidated by fear and the certain prospect of brutal punishment. There were some blatant and well-publicized cases of abuse, and no one believed Brown’s claims that he could not control his own men. Without consulting the Ranger commander, Cornwallis issued an order that no Indians could be engaged in battle or in any action that might inflict damage on a white settler.

Warrant Officer Baker brought the information to his commander, along with a spy’s report that Cornwallis was reconsidering his previous decision to leave Brown with a military command in Augusta. The Ranger commander immediately decided to go to Charles Town, where he requested a meeting with the general. He was made to wait two full days before an aide came to his tavern room and invited him to headquarters. There, he introduced Baker as his aide, but was told that no one could accompany him during his “interrogatory.” Brown contemplated the meaning of this word as he was made to wait again. He was finally admitted to a large and ornately furnished room that, Brown knew, had also been used by General Benjamin Lincoln. Two other high-ranking officers and several aides were with Lord Cornwallis, who merely nodded at Colonel Brown without rising from his chair. Brown saluted and remained erect, attempting to maintain dignity in spite of his discomfort at being examined by the entire group as though he was a curiosity.

Cornwallis broke the uncomfortable silence: “What can I do for you, sir?”

Everyone, and especially Brown, noticed that the word “colonel” was not used in addressing him.

“Your Excellency, I have come to pay my respects, to report on circumstances in Georgia, and to offer a brief description of the work of the King’s Rangers.”

“As you know, I receive regular reports from Governor Wright, whom I presume is familiar with circumstances in his own state. Also, I must say, I have received a number of reports about what I consider to be lawless activities of your men, as they attack helpless families in both Georgia and South Carolina. These brutalities are in violation of my own official directives and the universal laws of God and man. It would, indeed, be interesting to hear your explanation of what is happening under your command.”