Chapter 2548: Battle of Barn Hill

In early June 1626, George Vassar had not yet arrived, and the post of commander-in-chief of the Continental Army was temporarily represented by Baron Benedict Laval.
Originally, Laval had no enthusiasm for this transitional position, anyway, no matter how hard he manages the army, the final credit will fall on George Vassar, the genuine commander-in-chief, so why bother to make a wedding dress for others?
It is precisely because of this kind of negative attitude that is close to anger, Laval came to the town of Idalil where the Continental Army headquarters is located in mid-May. He has been in office for three weeks, except for occasional inspections at the front line. "Shaking hands the shopkeeper."
As the leading star in the New World, Laval has already seen thoroughly the many ills of the Continental Army, and he also knows that these problems are very difficult and cannot be solved in a short time.
If he were the commander in India, he would of course make great efforts to rectify military discipline, strictly train troops, and raise equipment. But thinking that the Continental Congress elected George Vassar as the commander-in-chief of an unknown person, he could not help being discouraged, and would rather do more than less. For one thing, it is enough to guard this mess, and for other troubles, let George Vassar worry about it!
However, with the passage of time, the domestic and foreign situations are changing rapidly, and General Laval's mentality has also undergone a subtle change.
In early June, Laval received a letter from the Chairman of the Continental Congress, his old boss Sir William Nichols.
Sir Nichols said frankly in his letter that most of the ministers sent by the Continental Congress to seek assistance in various countries had closed their doors.
The governments of Yashan, Hailan and Baoshua refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Continental Congress, let alone provide any form of military assistance.
The attitudes of the Canaanites and the Far Easterners were slightly better and did not say anything to death, but it was not so easy to get substantial benefits from them. The Continental Army had to fight a few beautiful battles first to prove that it was worthy of foreign friends. Note.
The delegates of the Continental Congress commissioned Sir Nichols to write this letter in order to consult General Laval's views. Is it possible for the Continental Army to fight a battle that will surprise foreign friends?
If Laval is sure, the Continental Congress will authorize him to act cheaply.
The flame of ambition that was almost extinguished in the chest of this messenger Laval is burning again!
He was determined to take advantage of George Vassar's not yet arrived, and firmly grasp this rare good opportunity to prove with a victory that it was an unforgivable mistake that the Continental Congress did not elect him as the commander in chief.
Therefore, General Laval immediately replied to Sir Nichols and took the initiative to invite Ying to launch a battle to win the beauty, win the appreciation of foreign friends, and help diplomats win more chips at the negotiating table!
General Laval's high-spirited reply made the representatives of the Continental Congress overjoyed and immediately authorized him to choose the right time to launch the offensive.
The delegates of the Continental Congress are fighting side by side with the frontline fighters mentally. As for guns, ammunition and logistical supplies... I'm sorry, you can make do with it. If you win this battle, there will be bread and bullets. There will also be an official Jinjue.
General Laval did not expect to get substantive promises from the bureaucrats. The most urgent thing is to concentrate on winning the battle.
The Continental Army has the same strength as the Fijian troops stationed in the city. The level of equipment and actual combat experience are not at the same level. The only advantage is high morale. Inspired by the "Declaration of Independence", the enthusiastic young people who took the initiative to join the army are not afraid of bleeding sacrifice.
General Laval always adheres to the principle of being merciful, but he does not want to force the boys to attack the heavily guarded fortress of the enemy, because this kind of meaningless sacrifice will not bring him victory, but will damage his reputation. Makes him look stupid.
It is not wise to confront Fiji’s troops head-on on the plains. Laval needs a better entry point to choose a battlefield that is most beneficial to him, so as to equalize the gap between the enemy and us in equipment and individual quality as much as possible. Only in this case is it possible to win the strong with the weak.
Laval convened a meeting of his generals to plan, and finally selected the target as the Gu Cang Mountain on the Riding Boot Peninsula.
The reason for choosing to occupy Gu Cangshan is actually the same as Governor Winthrop’s thinking:
A cannon was erected from Gu Cang Mountain, and the shells can directly blast into the city of New Avalon. Although the actual damage caused is limited, it can cause maximum psychological deterrence to the people in the city, which in turn arouses heated public opinion at home and abroad, creating a great advantage for us. Great atmosphere.
When foreign friends saw such headlines in the newspaper, "New Avalon was shelled by the Continental Army and is about to fall." They must be very happy.
Anyway, it is impossible for a foreigner to visit the battlefield in person. As long as the Continental Army builds up its momentum and creates public opinion, so that foreign friends can happily sign checks and provide military assistance, Laval's goal will be achieved.
By coincidence, just as Laval was planning to capture the highlands of Gucang Mountain, the "Son of Freedom" in New Avalon found out that Governor Winthrop and his generals planned to enter the Ridingshoe Peninsula on June 15.
When Laval received this information, he couldn't help feeling a dilemma.
If you don't hurry up and get the enemy to occupy Gu Cangshan first, all the bright prospects you planned before will be in vain.
On the contrary, if the offensive is launched now, since the army's reorganization and supplies are not ready yet, and the artillery has not been delivered, the risk of dispatching troops in a hurry is too great, even if the high ground is occupied, it is very likely that it will not be able to defend, and the soldiers will be lost for nothing.
What choice should be made?
If George Vassar is in Laval's position, he will definitely choose to stand still and preserve his vitality.
However, Laval is not George Vassar. The two of them are like a pair of mirror images. Regardless of their origin, character or command style, they are completely opposite. It is precisely at the juncture when George Vassar believes that we should strive to be safe, Laval chose without hesitation. Launch a military adventure.
Laval has long realized that a successful general must be cruel enough to not mind using the bones of colleagues and subordinates to build a monument for himself.
His military experience over the past years has continuously strengthened his philosophy, and this time it is no different.
On the evening of June 12, eight thousand Continental Army soldiers left the position at the neck of the peninsula under the leadership of General Laval. After more than two hours of march, they boarded the Gucang Mountain in the dark.
Laval commanded the militia to dig trenches and build fortresses. With the help of spellcasters with the army, decent fortifications were built on the mountain before dawn.
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