Nathanael Greene

Nathanael Greene played a significant role to help the American cause. Helping George Washington throughout the war, he is one of the very few people who undid the British powers in the colonies. Come, Will tell more about him.

                                                                               Early Life

 He was born into a quaker family on August 7th, 1742, in Potowomut, (now Warwick) Rhode Island.  He was largely educated and liked to be a leader. He even liked dancing. Greene was 5 feet 10 inches, with an oval face, blue eyes, a straight nose, a determined mouth, a large forehead, and a firm double-chin.  By early adulthood, he became interested enough in martial matters that he joined the local Rhode Island militia. His comrades liked him because of his leadership abilities.

                                                                           Mid-Life

In 1774 he married Catherine LittleField but he was not at home with his wife so often, for he was focusing on working his way up ranks and helping the war effort in the southern colonies.  In 1775, The Rhode Island assembly appointed Greene commander of the Rhode Island army. In August 1776, Greene was promoted to Major General. By mid September he was commanding his division during the retreat from New York. At this point he was made commander of Forts Lee and Washington Greene was confident both forts can be held from British forces. However, on November 16, Fort Washington surrendered and Fort Lee had to be evacuated. Washington’s army retreated through New Jersey. Greene’s Division crossed the Delaware with Washington and led the left column against Trenton, capturing the Hessians artillery. In Early January of 1777,  He delayed British Lieutenant General Cornwallis while Washington and his men made their night march to Princeton. At the battle of Brandywine, on September 10, 1777, Greene’s Division covered 4 miles in 45 minutes to aid the right wing, covered the retreat, and saved the artillery. Arriving late at the dawn attack on German town, Greene’s left column fought in a two hour battle and then protected the rear for 5 miles of the retreat, without losing a gun. On December 19, 1777, the army went into winter quarters at Valley Forge outside of Philadelphia. On February 25,1778, Greene accepted to become a Quartermaster General. For the battle of Monmouth on June 28, Greene resumed his line command and led the right wing, pushing back the British General, Sir Henry Clinton’s line. Sent to Rhode Island to further  the French and American push. Greene commanded the right wing on August 11, 1778, when American, forces were forced to retreat, French commander, Count D'Estaing, disagreed to disembark his 4,000 French troops. Greene acted as a peacemaker in the subsequent arguments and again as right wing commander in an unsuccessful engagement on August 29. The ensuing military lull did not extend to the Quartermaster department, Greene administering almost $50,000,000 in 1779! His effectiveness at supply, helped to support the army during winter quarters at MorrisTown and to keep it intact during the summer. On October 14, 1780, George Washington gave Greene command of the army in the southern colonies. Greene took his troops and split them in half, sending some to a victory in Cowpens on January 17, 1781, and took the rest of his forces and raced to the Dan river, Cornwallis got frustrated and sent his troops to the Dan river too. Greene had provided boats but Cornwallis had not. Greene used an classic strategy and maneuvered and waited for reinforcements and found a good position to defend. Greene had 4,200 troops but only few were veterans, Cornwallis had only 2,000 troops but most of them were veterans. At the end, Greene was forced to retreat. Cornwallis had lost almost half of his troops, Greene did not suffer   major losses but his men were exhausted and sick. 

 Greene continued to win and lose battles until 1883, when the war ended and the  colonies became a country, The United States of America.

Life’s End

 Gen. Nathanael Greene is known for helping the colonies win the war, especially for helping George Washington throughout the war. He died in his home in Mulberry Grove, Georgia on June 19, 1786. Gen. Nathanael Greene played a significant role  in the American Revolution, helping push the British out of the colonies.

Sources: 100 Days That Shook The World , The American Revolution.