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Nathaniel Greene

(1742-1786)

Nathaniel Greene was born in 1742 in Potowomut, Rhode Island. Greene was born to a Quaker family and received a limited education early on in life. He did study tirelessly on his own, and as he grew up became an avid reader of military works.

In 1774, Greene was a member of the Rhode Island legislative committee in charge of preparing Rhode Island's defenses. In April of 1775, the Assembly of Rhode Island met and established an Army. Only two months later Greene was given command as a brigadier general of these state troops. He led his troops to Boston where he showed natural talent for organizing supplies. In June 1775, Greene was commissioned as the youngest brigadier general in the Continental Army.

In Boston Greene first met George Washington, Washington was greatly impressed. "Washington became convinced within a year that if he were killed or captured Greene was the best qualified of all his generals to succeed him as commander-in-chief."(8) The respect was mutual as Greene would go on to name his first born in honor of his commander.

After a reeling defeat on Manhattan Island, Greene played a huge role in the Continental Army's retreat across New Jersey. He commanded under Washington during the Battle of Trenton and again at the Battle of Princeton. At the Battle of Brandywine, Greene led his division four miles in under an hour across broken country to form a defensive line that allowed General Sullivan's division to retreat.

In March 1778, the Quartermaster department of the Continental Army was in shambles. Washington appointed Greene Quartermaster General of the Army. Greene was less than thrilled, "Had I been an inferior officer I might have thought myself honored by the appointment. But as I was high in rank in the army, I have ever considered it derogatory to serve in this office."(9) Despite his disappointment with his position, Greene excelled once again. He managed to keep the army going despite shortages of funds, supplies and transportation. In 1780, Greene resigned as Quartermaster Generalafter a dispute with Congress, "The Congress have so many of those talking gentlemen among them that they tire themselves and everybody else with their long labored speeching."(10)

After Horatio Gates huge defeat at Camden, South Carolina in 1780, Greene was appointed Commander of the Southern Army.

Greene in contrast to Gates knew the importance of Guerrilla units of the south. Greene split his army and used the talents of men such as Daniel Morgan, Francis Marion, Thomas Sumter and Harry Lee to their fullest advantages.

After months of small skirmishes and hit an run battles Greene and Cornwallis met at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Cornwallis succeeded in driving the Americans from the field but suffered such severe casualties he withdrew north, with Morgan and Greene harassing him every step. Cornwallis eventually withdrew to his ultimate demise at Yorktown, Virginia.

After the war, Greene moved to Savannah Georgia and settled down as a southern planter spurning politics. He died of heatstroke at the age of forty four.

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