I'll weigh in on Wilkinson, as he's a very important figure in my book.Quote:
James Wilkinson was another. I'm not sure I'd call him a fool, though. Definitely a boob, and probably gets the Jim Schlossnagle Lifetime Achievement Award for being a first class snake.
He wasn't a fool, because he was actually very clever and snake-like. A list of his achievements:
1. The story noted above regarding the Conway Cabal.
2. Betraying one of his senior commanders in the war (I think it may have been the same incident).
3. BEING THE PAID SPY OF SPAIN WHILE ALSO SERVING AS THE SENIOR GENERAL IN THE US ARMY. Sorry, had to bold it because that's...kind of like a big deal.
4. Betraying Spain at the same time that he was betraying the US. In fact, the only person Wilkinson apparently never betrayed was his wife.
5. Sending Phillip Nolan into Texas presumably to spy and figure out a route of invasion.
6. Joining the Aaron Burr Conspiracy, then betraying Burr.
7. Moving quickly to arrest the Burr conspirators and portraying himself as the great hero because he destroyed the plot that he had helped author.
Now, where he is a big fool comes later. In 1808, he locates his forces on the Mississippi River in a very unhealthy spot and basically loses HALF of his army to disease. And bear in mind, he had half the army in his command, so his poor decision cost the US 1/4 of the entire army. But he beat the court martial on it, like he beat everything.
Then he goes to Canada and completely fails in the War of 1812.
Obviously, shameless book plug, check out my book, it has a lot on him.