American Revolution: Nathanael Greene Born!

August 7, 1742 - American General Nathanael Greene (right) is born at Potowomut, RI. Active in Rhode Island politics, Greene aided in organizing the state's militia in 1774, though due to a limp his participation in its activities was limited. A student of war, he was appointed a brigadier general in the Continental Army in 1775, and served during the siege of Boston. Given command of the city by General George Washington after its capture in March 1776, he later served in the ill-fated New York Campaign that summer. After commanding one of the attack columns at the Battle of Trenton, Greene saw action at Brandywine and Germantown. In March 1778, he was named quartermaster general of the Continental Army, but continued to command troops in battle. After fighting at the Battle of Monmouth, Greene saw service in Rhode Island. In mid-1780, he was appointed to command Continental troops in the South. Rallying battered American forces in the region, he fought a campaign designed to wear down the British army of General Lord Charles Cornwallis. Clashing at Guilford Court House in March 1781, Greene inflicted heavy casualties on the British before being forced to retreat. Following Cornwallis' march to Yorktown, Greene proceeded to retake most of South Carolina before the war's end. After the war, Greene retired to lands in Georgia which he received for his wartime service. He died of sun stroke in 1786.

Photograph Source: Public Domain