Forgotten Patriot: The Life and Times of Major-General Nathanael GreeneA Biography of one of Americas first hero's. Nathanael Greene was a Quaker from Rhode Island who abandoned his religious upbringing and strived to learn more than only what he found in his own backyard. Educated by some of the greatest minds of the late eighteenth century, as well as be self-taught, Nathanael Greene became a master of human nature, politics and military tactics. As a young man he served in the Rhode Island Assembly prior to the Revolutionary War and with a fever pitched love of freedom, soon joined the members of the Sons of Liberty in their quest for independence from their oppressor, England. With the onset of the Revolutionary War, Greene joined the militia as a private and rocketed to the rank of Brigadier General in less than a year. He soon would be George Washington's most trusted general and the most dreaded foe the British would face in the war. Contrary to what is in most history books, the war did not end in 1781, and Greene was alone in the American struggle to oust the British from our shores. For two years, Greene fought a bitterly contested war in the Southern States and ultimately emerged victorious. Denouncing the call of his fellow countrymen to enter politics, Nathanael Greene chose instead to settle down with his family and live the life of a gentleman farmer on his plantation in Georgia. The service and devotion Greene gave to his country has never been recognized and is long overdue. This author intends to rectify that situation. |
Common terms and phrases
advance already American army arms arrived artillery attack attempt battle Boston brigade British army Camden camp campaign Captain cavalry Charleston Colonel colonies command commander-in-chief Congress Continental Continental army Cornwallis Creek decided defense Delaware detachment duty encampment enemy enemy's felt fight fire flank fleet forage force Fort Lee Fort Mercer Fort Mifflin Fort Washington forward garrison Gates Governor Greene writes Greene's ground guard guns Hessian Hill hope horses hundred immediately Jersey knew letter light infantry Lord Cornwallis Mifflin miles military militia Morgan morning Morristown move musket Nathanael Greene night North officers orders party Philadelphia position provisions Quaker Quartermaster-general rear received regiment retreat Rhode Island river road Samuel Ward sent ships side soldiers soon South Carolina southern Steuben Sullivan Sumter supplies thought Tories troops Valley Forge Virginia wagons Washington Wayne winter wounded wrote York
Popular passages
Page 127 - For some days past, there has been little less than a famine in camp. A part of the army has been a week without any kind of flesh, and the rest three or four days.
Page 66 - I am therefore inclined to think, that it will not be prudent to hazard the men and stores at Mount Washington ; but, as you are on the spot, I leave it to you to give such orders, as to evacuating Mount Washington, as you may judge best, and so far revoking the order given to Colonel Magaw to defend it to the last.
Page 75 - These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
Page 186 - His Excellency and Mrs. Greene danced upwards of three hours without once sitting down. Upon the whole we had a pretty little frisk.
Page 143 - My career will soon be over ; therefore justice and truth prompt me to declare my last sentiments. You are in my eyes the great and good man. May you long enjoy the love, veneration, and esteem of these States, whose liberties you have asserted by your virtues.
Page 123 - There comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro' his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter'd remains of an only pair of stockings, his Breeches not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his Shirt hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell'd, his face meagre; his whole appearance pictures a person forsaken & discouraged.
Page 159 - Sir, you cannot afford me greater pleasure than in giving me the opportunity of showing to America the sufficiency of her respective servants. I trust that temporary power of office, and the tinsel dignity attending it, will not be able, by all the mists they can raise, to offuscate the bright rays of truth.
Page 55 - Our situation is truly distressing. The check our detachment sustained on the 27th ultimo has dispirited too great a proportion of our troops, and filled their minds with apprehension and despair. The militia, instead of calling forth their utmost efforts to a brave and manly opposition in order to repair our losses, are dismayed, intractable, and impatient to return. Great numbers of them have gone off; in some instances, almost by whole regiments, by half ones, and by companies at a time.
Page 164 - I have received your excellency's favour by General Greene, and have been much pleased with the arrival of a gentleman who, not only on account of his merit, and the justness of his views, but...