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Nathanael Greene (August 7 [O.S. July 27] 1742 – June 19, 1786, sometimes misspelled Nathaniel) was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. He emerged from the war with a reputation as General George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer, and is known for his successful command in the southern theater of the war.
Born into a prosperous Quaker family in Warwick, Rhode Island, Greene became active in the resistance to British revenue policies in the early 1770s and helped establish the Kentish Guards, a state militia. After the April 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, the legislature of Rhode Island established an army and appointed Greene to command it. Later in the year, Greene became a general in the newly-established Continental Army. Greene served under Washington in the Boston campaign, the New York and New Jersey campaign, and the Philadelphia campaign before being appointed quartermaster general of the Continental Army in 1778.
In October 1780, General Washington appointed Greene as the commander of the Continental Army in the southern theater. After taking command, Greene engaged in a successful campaign of guerrilla warfare against the numerically superior force of General Charles Cornwallis. He inflicted heavy losses on British forces at Battle of Guilford Court House, the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, and the Battle of Eutaw Springs, eroding British control of the Southern United States. Major fighting on land came to an end following the surrender of Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown in October 1781, but Greene continued to serve in the Continental Army until late 1783. After the war, he sought to become a successful planter in the South, but died in 1786 at his Mulberry Grove Plantation in Chatham County, Georgia. Many places in the United States are named after Greene.
Born into a prosperous Quaker family in Warwick, Rhode Island, Greene became active in the resistance to British revenue policies in the early 1770s and helped establish the Kentish Guards, a state militia. After the April 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, the legislature of Rhode Island established an army and appointed Greene to command it. Later in the year, Greene became a general in the newly-established Continental Army. Greene served under Washington in the Boston campaign, the New York and New Jersey campaign, and the Philadelphia campaign before being appointed quartermaster general of the Continental Army in 1778.
In October 1780, General Washington appointed Greene as the commander of the Continental Army in the southern theater. After taking command, Greene engaged in a successful campaign of guerrilla warfare against the numerically superior force of General Charles Cornwallis. He inflicted heavy losses on British forces at Battle of Guilford Court House, the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, and the Battle of Eutaw Springs, eroding British control of the Southern United States. Major fighting on land came to an end following the surrender of Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown in October 1781, but Greene continued to serve in the Continental Army until late 1783. After the war, he sought to become a successful planter in the South, but died in 1786 at his Mulberry Grove Plantation in Chatham County, Georgia. Many places in the United States are named after Greene.
Nathanael Greene - Wikipedia
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Nathanael Greene (Washington's Generals) (2006 – History)
Nathanael Greene (Washington's Generals) (2006 – History) Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War know...
Thank you, my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that August 7 is the anniversary of the birth of Major General of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War Nathanael Greene who "emerged from the war with a reputation as General George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer, and is known for his successful command in the southern theater of the war."
Nathanael Greene (Washington's Generals) (2006 – History)
"Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War known for his successful command in the Southern Campaign, forcing British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis to abandon the Carolinas and head for Virginia. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United States are named after him. He suffered financial difficulties in the post-war years and died in 1786."
https://youtu.be/CqiGIP_jfd0?t=92
Background from ehistory.osu.edu/biographies/nathanael-greene
"Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was born on August 7, 1742, in Potowomut, Rhode Island, to his Father of the same name, and his mother, Mary Mott. While his family was practicing Quakers, discouragers of extensive learning, the young Nathanael spent every cent available to him on books, amassing a substantial library in the process. A local minister named Ezra Stiles, a man who would become the President of Yale University, guided much of Nathanael’s early learning.
In 1770, Greene’s father purchased a forge in Coventry, Rhode Island, which Nathanael was placed in charge of. While in Coventry, he had a sizable influence in the creation of the first school in the town, and was elected to the general assembly from there. Nathanael also began to gain an interest in military doctrine, adding many books on the subject to his repertoire of written works. His interest in said doctrines was so intense that he was called before a Quaker committee for examination on the grounds that he was not embracing the pacifistic nature of the religion. When the committee was unable to turn Nathanael from his interest, the case was dropped.
Greene married Catharine Littlefield in July 1774. They had 5 children.
August of the same year saw Green involved with the organization of a Rhode Island militia unit, chartered under the name “Kentish Guards”. Due to this, and his increased vigor on the study of military matters, Greene was expelled from the Quaker religion.
Despite him being a founding member of the Guards, he was disallowed from advancing beyond the rank of private within their ranks because of a slight limp, which had troubled him since his birth. Greene was, however, an incredibly important member of the militia, convincing a British Drill Sergeant to desert his unit to train the militia. Greene was also instrumental in acquiring an instructor for a fife and drum corps.
After the events of Lexington and concord, Rhode Island fielded three regiments to aid the Patriots in Boston. The General Assembly considered three individuals for the command of the regiments. Nathanael Green was selected, and promoted from Private to Brigadier General. The level of organization within Greene’s regiments impressed the newly appointed commander of Continental forces, General George Washington. Greene would become Washington’s most trusted advisor and good friend.
In August of 1776 Greene was promoted to Major General, and was tasked with defending Long Island. The site of his greatest military catastrophe took place in nearby Manhattan, where his refusal to retreat from Fort Washington caused several cannons and a few thousand Continental soldiers to be captured by British forces. This was not the end of Greene’s military career however; he and his unit went on to serve with distinction by defending the left flank of US forces at Trenton, enforcing weak points in the battle lines at Brandywine, actions which almost certainly prevented Washington’s forces from complete destruction, and acting as the rear guard in Germantown.
The Continental army’s supply lines and resources were being poorly mismanaged at Valley Forge in 1778. General Washington placed his trust in the abilities of Nathanael Greene to effectively correct the discrepancies with supplies, and Greene was appointed Quartermaster General in March of that same year and held the position until summer of 1780. At one point, during Washington’s absence to meet with French forces, Greene was the commander of the entire continental army, and successfully defeated British forces in parts of New Jersey during this time. He went on to take command of West Point until the arrival of Washington.
General Greene was selected as the Commander of the Southern Continental Army on October 14, 1780. As General Gates replacement, Greene inherited an incredibly small and disorganized army. However, being a masterful military tactician, he successfully employed his small forces in woodland hit and run warfare, decimating Redcoat supply routes and communication abilities. The British forces in the Southern colonies were forced to retreat to their bastion port cities. As a last effort to expel Greene’s forces from the state of South Carolina, British General Cornwallis ordered a subordinate General Clinton to push Greene’s army to the North. Eventually, General Greene chose the grounds of Gilford Courthouse, North Carolina, to cease his feigned retreat and assault the pursuing British forces. Here Nathanael Greene exhibited the full measure of his military brilliance by establishing three phases to the battle. First, Greene ordered the newly recruited militiamen of North Carolina to the front lines where they would take position behind a long wooden fence upon which they could lay their muskets and have increased accuracy. In front of them lay a tilled field which would inhibit the speed of the British advance. When the Redcoats were nearly upon them, they fell back into heavy woodlands where the tight formations of the English forces would be difficult to maintain. Waiting in the forest were members of the battle-hardened Virginia militia. These men engaged the Redcoats in close quarters combat with blades, bayonets, and tomahawks, before falling back and sniping the British from behind tree cover. The militia fell back to join the main force of the Continental Army, whom the Englishmen would face after exiting the woods, crossing a creek, and marching up the hill upon which the Patriots were stationed. Fighting was swaying so badly against the British that, under orders from General Cornwallis, the English cannons fired into masses of men comprised of both Colonists and Redcoats. Greene and his forces eventually withdrew in order to preserve their fighting strength. The forces loyal to the crown of England, however, were badly bloodied.
Greene then surged back into South Carolina, sweeping any English forces he found back to the coast. The war ended soon after his victories, and Greene turned towards civilian pursuits. He oversaw the placement of elected governments in the states of Georgia and South Carolina before finally retiring to a plantation named Mulberry Grove, which was gifted to him by Georgia for his services in the revolution and afterwards, in 1785. Two years later, Nathanael Greene passed away due to sunstroke, leaving behind his two sons, three daughters, and his wife. He was 44 years old.
(Written by Benjamin G. Harvey)
Birth Location: Potowomut (Warwick), Rhode Island, USA
Birth Date: 8/7/1742
Death Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA
Death Date: 6/19/1786"
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Nathanael Greene (Washington's Generals) (2006 – History)
"Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War known for his successful command in the Southern Campaign, forcing British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis to abandon the Carolinas and head for Virginia. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United States are named after him. He suffered financial difficulties in the post-war years and died in 1786."
https://youtu.be/CqiGIP_jfd0?t=92
Background from ehistory.osu.edu/biographies/nathanael-greene
"Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was born on August 7, 1742, in Potowomut, Rhode Island, to his Father of the same name, and his mother, Mary Mott. While his family was practicing Quakers, discouragers of extensive learning, the young Nathanael spent every cent available to him on books, amassing a substantial library in the process. A local minister named Ezra Stiles, a man who would become the President of Yale University, guided much of Nathanael’s early learning.
In 1770, Greene’s father purchased a forge in Coventry, Rhode Island, which Nathanael was placed in charge of. While in Coventry, he had a sizable influence in the creation of the first school in the town, and was elected to the general assembly from there. Nathanael also began to gain an interest in military doctrine, adding many books on the subject to his repertoire of written works. His interest in said doctrines was so intense that he was called before a Quaker committee for examination on the grounds that he was not embracing the pacifistic nature of the religion. When the committee was unable to turn Nathanael from his interest, the case was dropped.
Greene married Catharine Littlefield in July 1774. They had 5 children.
August of the same year saw Green involved with the organization of a Rhode Island militia unit, chartered under the name “Kentish Guards”. Due to this, and his increased vigor on the study of military matters, Greene was expelled from the Quaker religion.
Despite him being a founding member of the Guards, he was disallowed from advancing beyond the rank of private within their ranks because of a slight limp, which had troubled him since his birth. Greene was, however, an incredibly important member of the militia, convincing a British Drill Sergeant to desert his unit to train the militia. Greene was also instrumental in acquiring an instructor for a fife and drum corps.
After the events of Lexington and concord, Rhode Island fielded three regiments to aid the Patriots in Boston. The General Assembly considered three individuals for the command of the regiments. Nathanael Green was selected, and promoted from Private to Brigadier General. The level of organization within Greene’s regiments impressed the newly appointed commander of Continental forces, General George Washington. Greene would become Washington’s most trusted advisor and good friend.
In August of 1776 Greene was promoted to Major General, and was tasked with defending Long Island. The site of his greatest military catastrophe took place in nearby Manhattan, where his refusal to retreat from Fort Washington caused several cannons and a few thousand Continental soldiers to be captured by British forces. This was not the end of Greene’s military career however; he and his unit went on to serve with distinction by defending the left flank of US forces at Trenton, enforcing weak points in the battle lines at Brandywine, actions which almost certainly prevented Washington’s forces from complete destruction, and acting as the rear guard in Germantown.
The Continental army’s supply lines and resources were being poorly mismanaged at Valley Forge in 1778. General Washington placed his trust in the abilities of Nathanael Greene to effectively correct the discrepancies with supplies, and Greene was appointed Quartermaster General in March of that same year and held the position until summer of 1780. At one point, during Washington’s absence to meet with French forces, Greene was the commander of the entire continental army, and successfully defeated British forces in parts of New Jersey during this time. He went on to take command of West Point until the arrival of Washington.
General Greene was selected as the Commander of the Southern Continental Army on October 14, 1780. As General Gates replacement, Greene inherited an incredibly small and disorganized army. However, being a masterful military tactician, he successfully employed his small forces in woodland hit and run warfare, decimating Redcoat supply routes and communication abilities. The British forces in the Southern colonies were forced to retreat to their bastion port cities. As a last effort to expel Greene’s forces from the state of South Carolina, British General Cornwallis ordered a subordinate General Clinton to push Greene’s army to the North. Eventually, General Greene chose the grounds of Gilford Courthouse, North Carolina, to cease his feigned retreat and assault the pursuing British forces. Here Nathanael Greene exhibited the full measure of his military brilliance by establishing three phases to the battle. First, Greene ordered the newly recruited militiamen of North Carolina to the front lines where they would take position behind a long wooden fence upon which they could lay their muskets and have increased accuracy. In front of them lay a tilled field which would inhibit the speed of the British advance. When the Redcoats were nearly upon them, they fell back into heavy woodlands where the tight formations of the English forces would be difficult to maintain. Waiting in the forest were members of the battle-hardened Virginia militia. These men engaged the Redcoats in close quarters combat with blades, bayonets, and tomahawks, before falling back and sniping the British from behind tree cover. The militia fell back to join the main force of the Continental Army, whom the Englishmen would face after exiting the woods, crossing a creek, and marching up the hill upon which the Patriots were stationed. Fighting was swaying so badly against the British that, under orders from General Cornwallis, the English cannons fired into masses of men comprised of both Colonists and Redcoats. Greene and his forces eventually withdrew in order to preserve their fighting strength. The forces loyal to the crown of England, however, were badly bloodied.
Greene then surged back into South Carolina, sweeping any English forces he found back to the coast. The war ended soon after his victories, and Greene turned towards civilian pursuits. He oversaw the placement of elected governments in the states of Georgia and South Carolina before finally retiring to a plantation named Mulberry Grove, which was gifted to him by Georgia for his services in the revolution and afterwards, in 1785. Two years later, Nathanael Greene passed away due to sunstroke, leaving behind his two sons, three daughters, and his wife. He was 44 years old.
(Written by Benjamin G. Harvey)
Birth Location: Potowomut (Warwick), Rhode Island, USA
Birth Date: 8/7/1742
Death Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA
Death Date: 6/19/1786"
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I am not well versed enough to say his tactics were modus operandi. I do know in one large battle, he asked the militia to skirmish and shoot two shots at the closing British. They fell to the rear causing the British to hasten their attack. Our regular army was waiting for the British and the militia sniped at British officers. A battle he won.
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