Before a huge parchment map, an American officer was loudly reporting to Wilkinson. "General, the Alabama River line is currently defended by the 1st, 2nd, and 5th Infantry Regiments. The 11th Dragoons Regiment can reinforce from the west at any time..."
The Alabama River was the southernmost defensive line of Mississippi State in the United States, adjacent to Baton Rouge. With the fortress of Fort Adams on the riverbank, the American forces had deployed nearly four thousand soldiers here for defense.
Wilkinson reminded them with a grim expression, "Be wary of the river freezing over."
He then turned his head. "Lieutenant Colonel Kelvin, how are things on your side?"
A German-descent officer immediately rose to his feet. "General, three breastworks have been built near Fort Natchez, extending all the way to the Yazoo River. We have driven away all the nearby Indians. The cannon transported from Springfield have also been fully deployed."
Fort Natchez lay north of Fort Adams and formed the second line of defense.
Even if the French Army broke through the Alabama River, they would meet fierce resistance here. Over the past half year, Wilkinson had poured tremendous effort into strengthening the defenses here.
In addition, Fort Stoddert stood east of Mississippi, preventing the French from detouring around the upper reaches of the Alabama River.
Just then, a Lieutenant Colonel suddenly stood up. "General, I don't think you should simply hunker down and defend.
"Louisiana can muster at most seven thousand soldiers, while we have more than twenty thousand troops.
"We can launch a full-scale offensive, swiftly seize Baton Rouge, and then use the Mississippi River as our defensive line!"
He was one of General Hampton's men and always loved finding opportunities to challenge Wilkinson.
Wilkinson did not get angry. Instead, he smiled. "General Wayne once worshipped