"Ridiculous! I have the Supreme Command's highest directive from London! Are you trying to commit treason?!"
William Roden was equally unwilling to yield. He slammed his fist down on the table, sending both cups of black tea spilling.
"London knows nothing of the situation on the battlefield! I am the supreme commander of the North American theater! I order you to leave twenty thousand men behind and immediately send the remaining forces to reinforce Harrisburg! Do you hear me?"
Codrington, equally unwilling to back down, slammed his hand hard against the table.
"Impossible!"
"Are you defying orders on the battlefield?!"
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere between the two sides turned taut. Codrington's men wanted to seize them while they had the chance, but William Roden's subordinates crowded forward as well.
All it would take was a single spark hitting the ground for the situation to spiral beyond control. Both sides understood that perfectly, so no one dared take the first step.
In the end, Codrington was the first to speak.
"We're leaving!"
After walking some distance, Codrington stopped and said, "General William Roden, let me emphasize the North American Supreme Command's order one last time: transfer your troops to General Ingram. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences yourself!"
William Roden naturally refused to be cowed.
"Unless there is an order from London, I will not agree to alter the plan without authorization! General Codrington, you'll be facing a court-martial for this!"
Codrington paused, but did not continue the argument. He quickly boarded a carriage and left the camp.
A week later, the Battle of Pittsburgh began. The 150,000 US Army troops led by Richard Delafield suddenly appeared outside Pittsburgh and launched a fierce assault.
"Just as you predicted, Commander-in-Chief. The British had no defenses in place. I