People/Characters James Wilkinson

James Wilkinson (1757-1825): American general. As a young man, he fought in the Revolutionary War, and was made brevet Brigadier General for bringing word of Saratoga to Congress. But his honesty was dubious, and he later became a spy for Spain. He nonetheless rose to be the army's senior general, which post he still held in 1812 -- at which time he was also governor of Louisiana. He served in the War of 1812 with limited distinction, although he did capture Mobile, Alabama. He was relieved of command during the war and never served again. Although acquitted by a court of various charges, he was widely regarded as a traitor.