Second Chance War - 6 History and Tactical Maneuvers Class 2

The class wasn’t as boring as Thomas remembered it to be. Maybe because he had adjusted his mindset or because he had lived through it all already. In the beginning of the class, Instructor Wilson taught them something they were all vaguely familiar with, the history of the United States. It’s inception as an independent power in seventeen seventy six, the formation of it’s Continental Army the year before that, and some of the tactics Washington used to route the British.

Of course these were all topics that school vaguely covered, but here they went into much greater detail, they scrutinized it closely. They weren’t the most perfect military strategies, but for their time, and considering the arms with which they had, they were ingenious. The strategy was ingenious, but it almost failed because of how challenging it was. It bordered on impossible, Thomas mused.

“Can anyone tell me why Washington crossed the Delaware?” Instructor Wilson asked the class. “Nobody? Well I guess I am going to have to volunteer one of you.” His gaze lingered around the classroom, it stopped on Thomas, there was something about him. That unnatural calm gaze, as if he was a military veteran of war itself. Of course if Instructor Wilson knew that Thomas died towards the end of WWII and came back to life…well if he had any hair on his, he’d probably tear it all out.

“Recruit Conlin, you’ve just volunteered yourself,” Wilson smiled to himself, there was no way anyone here knew the answer, or could come up with a plausible one.

“Sir!” Thomas replied smartly, “General George Washington crossed the Delaware because he wanted to take the isolated fort on the other side and bolster the morale and resolve of the Continental Army against the British and the Loyalists sir!”

“Hmm. Impressive, sit down, that’s only half the answer recruit,” Wilson was slightly impressed, “I didn’t expect even that much out of any of you. While it’s true that those were things they needed. It was also close to being the worst tactical blunder in the entirety of American military history.”

“First off, while it’s true that it was a victory, it was a shallow one that almost failed from it’s onset. The plan of attack called for a three pronged attack across the Delaware, with three different forces.”

“Can anyone tell me who the leaders of the three crossings were, and how many troops each of them lead? What about the kinds of arms they were bringing with them? What kinds of ships did they use to cross the Delaware?” Wilson looked over the classroom, he didn’t expect anyone to know these. However, he severely underestimated Thomas who had knowledge from a previous life.

“Sir! Recruit Conlin can tell you some of it sir!” Thomas stood up and saluted Wilson. Wilson was intrigued, “All right recruit, tell us what you know.”

“Sir! The river crossing three force’s leaders were General George Washington, Colonel Cadwalader, and General James Ewing! Respectively, they each led a force of twenty four hundred, twelve hundred, and eight hundred troops sir!” Thomas saluted again before sitting back down. That should be enough to stand out a little bit. He didn’t want to stand out too much, he wasn’t trying to become a tactical genius.

“That’s only the half of it recruit! Next time I expect a full and detailed answer!” Wilson snapped at Thomas, but secretly he was pleased that even one of his recruits showed that little bit of knowledge. “What Recruit Conlin said is correct, these three indeed led the attack on the garrison at Trenton. However, only Washington’s force made it across. Due to severe weather and a number of unfavorable weather conditions both General Ewing and Colonel Cadwalader couldn’t cross. Even then, Washington almost cancelled the attack.”

Wilson took a breath before continuing, “Of course, because of that they only arrived with twenty four hundred troops and they were unprotected on both flanks. They used Durham boast and other cargo vessels to cross, and thanks to Washington’s insistence, almost all of their artillery was brought over. From three-pounders to sixt-pounders. He brought a great deal of artillery which was of even greater help.”

“Of course that was just the American side, can anyone tell me what sort of tactical blunders the British committed during this short offensive?” Wilson pointedly asked the class. Some of the recruits were starting to nod off. Including one recruit Joshua “McSnickers”. “Recruit McSnickers! You’ve been volunteered! Now tell me what tactical error the British committed at Trenton?”

“Uh–I uh–” McSnickers stammered, he really didn’t pay attention in US History class. Now it was coming back to bite him in the ass. Wilson was disappointed as well. “Sit back down recruit, it’s obvious you never payed attention in school either!”

“Now, can anyone else tell me? Recruit Conlin perhaps?” Wilson turned his gaze to Thomas. Shit! Thomas thought he was being low key enough, he didn’t realize even the little bit he threw out was enough to make Wilson focus on him. Well, maybe he can try to mislead the instructor.

“Sir! Regretfully I only know it has something to do with spies sir!” Thomas answered half-truthfully. Wilson considered for a second and then sighed, perhaps there really wasn’t anyone talented in this batch of recruits. “Only half right, and half wrong, sit back down recruit.”

Wilson continued as Thomas sat back down, “while spies did play a role in the weak British defense, it isn’t as large as everyone thinks. While there were a couple of deserters and a spy early in the war council for this plan, ultimately their efforts led to naught. Instead, British vigilance was to blame during Christmas.” Wilson drew a diagram on the board behind him, showcasing the attack and all weak points of the garrison. “What really brought their defense to a new low was the fact that the British spent all night of Christmas Eve in revelry.”

“Sentries that should have been alert, were in fact, groggy and hungover. They were woefully unprepared for the American assault they were warned was coming. No one thought that the Americans and George Washington in particular would attack the morning of Christmas Day. Vigilance, when they should have been aware, they were caught with their pants down.”

Wilson took on a stern gaze as he looked at the class, “I hope when you’re in the field you also don’t slack on your duties, no matter how boring they are. It’s the difference between life and death for those who share your post. Now, let’s talk about tonight’s assignment. Knowing all of this information, and given that you were one of the leading officers back then, come up with a sound strategy that would have either allowed all three forces to cross the river, or to increase British vigilance and preparedness at Trenton! Class dismissed!”

As the recruits were shuffling out of the classroom, Wilson looked over and saw Thomas trying to sneak out of the door.

“Recruit Conlin, a moment of your time, come here.” Wilson called out to Thomas who then made his way over, “Stay a minute, don’t worry I’ll handle Lloyd, he’s an asshole anyways and no one likes him.” He winked at Thomas. “Now, I don’t want a bullshit excuse, next time you answer in my class I want a full answer.” His gaze pierced right through Thomas’s mental defenses, he was taken by surprise at the man’s intuition and gut feelings.

“I know you’re capable of so much more, if you have any questions about tonight’s assignment, my office is at the end of the hall and to the right. Now head on over with the rest of your platoon, I think the DI is going to have you run the obstacle course,” Wilson smiled all teeth at Thomas as he guided him to the door. “Good luck, knock them dead, son.”