But then again, Nathanael Greene was a young man determined to make a name for himself. And if he were not a brigadier, he would not have come to George Washington’s attention so early in the war, if ever. Had he not been given command of his home colony’s troops, he very likely would not have become the Continental army’s youngest brigadier general.

The appointment had consequences for the army and for the nation that Rhode Island’s lawmakers could not have imagined. Whatever the case, Nathanael Greene became general of the Rhode Island Army of Observation in May 1775 before he ever heard the roar of a cannonade, experienced the shock of an enemy assault, or tried to pierce the fog of war. Or perhaps the Rhode Island legislators who commissioned him were impressed with the force of his personality, which was formidable. It’s possible that Greene’s overnight promotion from private to general was a tribute to his family’s political connections, which were considerable. His comrades and friends were mortified as Greene spoiled the splendid, uniform look of their parades on the village green of East Greenwich, near his home in Coventry. Rather, he stood out because of his limp. His presence in the ranks was notable, but not for any evident leadership skills. Until he donned the epaulets of a general officer, he was a private in a local militia called the Kentish Guards. Many others in that rebellious colony had more experience and training, including some friends of his. How and why Nathanael Greene, merchant, ironmaster, and only lately a fervent patriot, came to command Rhode Island’s little army in 1775 remains one of the great mysteries of the American Revolution. His first taste of war came during the siege of Boston in 1775-and he already was a general. His formal education ended once he learned to read and write. He was reared in Rhode Island as a Quaker, the son of a devout family that loathed war. He walked with a slight limp, possibly the result of a childhood accident. For details contact: Director, Special Markets.ĭesigned by Paula Russell Szafranski Map art © 2004 David Cainįrontispiece: Nathanael Greene, by Charles Willson Peale, from life, 1783, courtesy of Independence National Historical ParkĮven in an army filled with inexperienced officers and citizen soldiers, Nathanael Greene was an unlikely warrior. Henry Holt books are available for special promotions and Includes bibliographical references and index.ġ.

Washington’s general: Nathanael Greene and the triumph of theĪmerican Revolution / Terry Golway.-1st ed. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nathaneal Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolutionĭistributed in Canada by H.

Washington's General by Terry Golway