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Major General Nathaniel Greene
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.
Nathaniel Greene b. Potowhommet, Warwick, Rhode Island, 27 May 1742
d. Mulberry Grove, near Savannah, Chatham, Georgia, 19 June 1786
Monday, 29 October 1781
Resolved, That the thanks of the United States in Congress assembled, be presented to Major General Greene, for his wise, decisive and magnanimous conduct in the action of the 8th of September last, near the Eutaw Springs, in South Carolina; in which, with a force inferior in number to that of the enemy, he obtained a most signal victory.[...] Resolved, That a British standard be presented to Major General Greene, as an honorable testimony of his merit, and a golden medal emblematical of the battle and victory aforesaid: Journals of the Continental Congress v. 21 p. 1083-1085
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