I got up from my place at the bucket and grabbed two empty milk jugs from the hundreds that were lined up in neat
rows. I handed them to him.
The correct answer is Winfield Scott. He was an American war general who successfully managed to land amphibiously at Veracruz and initiate the siege of Veracruz which was a successful military endeavor of the United States of America. It was an integral part of the Mexican-American war.
In this context alliance would mean to come to a formal agreement to help each other.