C ontrol military.military_command the upper Hudson would enable the British to link their forces in Quebec with those in New York , recently captured in the New York campaign by Major General William Howe .

C ontrol military.military_command these strategic waters was especially important at that time because General George McClellan was about to launch his Peninsula Campaign against the Southern capital , Richmond , Virginia .

C ontrol military.military_command Rennes , Nantes and the Pays de Retz was secured when the Frankish army was defeated once again in 851 at the Battle of Jengland by the Bretons under Erispoe ; consequently Charles the Bald recognised the independence of Brittany and determined the borders that defined the historic duchy and later province .