On July 19, 1798, President John Adams commissioned Alexander Hamilton as Inspector General of the U.S. Army with the rank of Major General. This appointment actually sparked a fierce political backdoor battle that nearly fractured the Federalist party. President Adams was deeply reluctant to give Hamilton so much authority, preferring older Revolutionary War veterans, but George Washington forced Adams’ hand by refusing to accept the role of Commander‑in‑Chief unless Hamilton was made his second‑in‑command.
Because Washington was aging and remained at Mount Vernon, Hamilton became the de facto commander of the army, using his position to dream up massive plans for national military academies and even plotting potential military campaigns against Spanish territories in the Americas.
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