- May 27, 1742 - June 19, 1786
This page is dedicated
to the memory of Major General Nathanael Greene (1742-1786) of Rhode
Island. Among America's officers, he was second only to George
Washington. Together, they shared the distinction of being the only
Continental generals that served throughout the entire War of American
Independence. Greene distinguished himself in the Northern Campaign on
the battlefields of Trenton, Princeton,
Brandywine, Germantown, and
Monmouth. In addition, he served the Army in the capacity of
Quartermaster General. However, his greatest contribution to the
war came as commander of the Southern Department (1780-1783). Arguably
the war's greatest strategist, he successfully waged a war of
attrition against the Crown forces in the South. He led the Southern
Army at Guilford Courthouse, Hobkirk's Hill, Ninety-Six, and
Eutaw Springs.
Nathanael Greene was born on May 27,
1742 in Warwick, Rhode Island. He was raised in a Quaker family but
was excommunicated because he supported the military. Before the war,
he worked as both iron-maker and blacksmith. Greene served on the
Rhode Island legislature for ten years. In his early military career
he was a private for the Rhode Island militia then brigadier general
in the Continental Army. Greene soon became George Washington's most
valued and trusted generals.
In March of 1776, after the British
troops had evacuated Boston, Greene was given command of the city. He
also defended New York in April and was promoted to major general for
his actions. Greene fought in the Battles of Trenton, Brandywine,
Germantown, Monmouth, and Rhode Island. In 1780, Washington sent him
south to command the army encamped there. After he reorganized and
drilled the soldiers, Greene sent Daniel
Morgan, with a detachment, to
attack British forces. Following months of engagements, he conquered
the south. But British Loyalists still controlled Charleston and
Savannah long after Cornwallis surrendered. Finally they returned
Savannah in July of 1782 and Charleston in December.
Since Greene donated his entire
fortune and all his possessions, the state of Georgia rewarded him
with a plantation near Savannah. He spent the rest of his life there
and died on June 19, 1786.
He was awarded the
Congressional
Gold Medal on Monday, 29 October 1781
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