Greene With Envy

Nathanael Greene is probably one of the most unknown men with one of the most misspelled names of the American Revolution. Nathanael, not “Nathaniel” Greene was one of George Washington’s most trusted generals, he was a tactical thinker years ahead of his time, and he the reason British General Charles Cornwallis met ultimate defeat in the America south. But what made this man rise from being a simple blacksmith to one of – if not the – greatest military tactician of his time? When faced with defeat after defeat, what gave him the resolve to keep facing the strongest military force on the face of the earth? This writer will attempt to answer these questions, and more, in this document, so prepare for a brief glimpse into the life and military career of Nathanael Greene.

Born into a Quaker family, Greene was raised in a very strict family, where his father counted learning to work more valuable than learning to read. But Nathanael was a bit of a rebel from the start, teaching himself to read with the family Bible and any other books he could get his hands on, with the help of future Yale president, Ezra Stiles. (“Major General,” 2011)  As he grew, his father appointed him manager of a recent-purchased mill, since Nathanael knew both the milling and smithing trades. With what was essentially his own business, Greene took an active part in the surrounding community, and began to expand his personal library. Much of this expansion included books on military science & history, which he “studied diligently”. (Heathcote, 1954) When the Quakers found out about this new study, they called him in before a committee to see if he still held their pacifist views. He claimed he was still a Quaker, but he wouldn’t give up studying things that interested him, so it was settled. He became actively involved in the politics of his home state, Rhode Island, and in 1774, helped form a state militia. He was denied a commission in that militia because he had a noticeable limp, and the leaders didn’t want someone appearing weak leading their men. As they would come to find out, there was no one better for the job. His political connections managed to get him in as a private, and even though he was devastated about this, his character was such that he wanted to serve, no matter the capacity.

After the Battle of Lexington, the Rhode Island militia set out for Boston, and when their Loyalist governor recalled them, Greene and a few others continued the march to lend their aid. It was there that the militia’s leadership began to realize Greene’s true potential, and after the Continental Army was formed, the former private was given a field commission as a major general, and was a field commander for the next 3 years. He eventually became George Washington’s most-confided in general, due to the friendship sparked by Greene’s personal welcoming of General Washington to Boston, and that Greene was willing to accept a demotion in order to serve under Washington. Because of this friendship, Washington nominated Greene to become the Quartermaster General for the Continental Army, as he was already relying heavily on Greene’s supply management skills.  Greene did not want the post, but after Washington guaranteed he would remain a major general, he accepted the post.

Greene attacked the problems associated with the position with his characteristic zeal, completely restructuring the supply chain of the Continental Army, and effectively allowing the Americans to drive out and pursue the British from Philadelphia. He also combined the duties of Quartermaster with that of a field commander, an unprecedented move. However, after a series of rather insidious moves by Congress, Greene resigned from the thankless post and returned to field duties, being named as Washington’s successor as commander-in-chief.

After being given the position of second in command, Greene took control of the army in the south, which was poorly equipped and highly outnumbered by British General Cornwallis’ army. Greene decided to split his smaller army in half, forcing Cornwallis to do the same, and giving Greene more strategic options. After the commanders in charge of his half-armies killed or captured over nine-tenths of the British forces sent, Greene summoned all of his underling-commanders for a war council. They unanimously decided to conduct a ‘strategic retreat’, racing to the Dan River. After notifying Washington of his plans, and securing reinforcements, Greene sent out small, swift units to harass the main British army pursuing them. Because of this unheard-of tactic, Greene bought his men enough time to sneak across the Dan River & rendezvous with the reinforcements. After a week’s encampment across the river in Halifax Courthouse, Greene took up an ambitious campaign, driving the British all the way back to the coast, where he kept them cornered in Charleston until the end of the war.

Greene was remarkably modern in the tactics he used, like tiring his opponent with strategic marches, forcing the British to pay dearly for short-term advantages and using guerilla and scout warfare were considered at the time to be ‘ungentlemanly’, but were effective and the basis for today’s infantry tactics.

Nathanael Greene, forward thinker, friend to George Washington, catalyst in the victory of the American Revolution. This man’s determination, and willingness to go against the grain in life, helped shape our nation. As he once wrote “We fight, get beaten, and fight again.” He is the epitome of an American, one that is an inspiration to us all.

References

Hayball, David M. (2006). George Washington’s Generals: Major General Nathanael Green. The Liberty Tree Newsletter. Retrieved January 29 2012, from http://www.revolutionarywararchives.org/greenehay.html

Heathcote, Charles William (1954). The Pickett Post. Retrieved January 29 2012, from http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/greene.html

Major General Nathanael Greene - Quartermaster General 1778-1780. (2011). Retrieved January 29, 2012 from http://www.qmfound.com/MG_Nathanael_Greene.htm