Although they received orders to contract their defenses, Kevin was clearly not the type to simply withdraw his troops and hand over the city.
Despite indeed following Kallen's orders to shrink the defense, decisively abandoning some cities and positions that were clearly indefensible, this did not mean Kevin was fleeing in panic, offering no resistance at all.
On the contrary, Kevin was still engaging the Empire's troops as much as possible while retreating.
This tactic of fighting while retreating caused considerable trouble for the Empire's army. Some reckless colonial garrisons were completely overwhelmed by Kevin, and if it weren't for the Revolutionary Army's defensive contraction, these colonial garrisons might have been completely wiped out.
