QuarterMaster General Nathaneal Greene

Nathanael Greene was the only one of General Washington’s senior commanders to serve continuously throughout the Revolutionary War, fighting in both the Northern and Southern theaters. A trusted adviser to Washington, he was sometimes known as “The Fighting Quaker.” Greene served as Quartermaster General for two years and later earned the title “The Savior of the South” for his leadership there. His innovative tactics combined regular troops, militia, and guerrilla forces, using rapid movement and sustained pressure against the British—an approach that foreshadowed strategies seen in modern wars of national liberation.

While stationed at the Van Veghten House during the Second Middlebrook Cantonment, from October 1778 to April 1779, Greene was responsible for supplying the entire Continental Army in New Jersey and New England. His duties also included provisioning the prisoners of war captured at the Battle of Saratoga.

His great-grandfather, a surgeon, emigrated from England, followed Roger Williams to Rhode Island, purchased large tracts of land, and established the family business.

Early Life 

1742 – July 27
Nathanael is born in Potowomut, Warwick, Rhode Island. He is the fifth of eight children (seven boys and one girl) and has two older half-brothers from his father’s first marriage.

1753
His mother, Mary, dies when he is 11 years old. His father, Richard—a Quaker pastor—believes that knowledge of the Bible is sufficient education. Nathanael, however, loves to read and eagerly devours any books he can find or borrow. He also enjoys dancing and socializing, sometimes sneaking out at night after the family is asleep.

As a young man, he takes over management of the family foundry, which produces anchors and other iron goods. He travels widely, building relationships with merchants and professionals—often borrowing books from them.

Growing Tensions with Britain

c. 1770
British official William Dudington seizes a vessel owned by Greene and his brothers. Greene files a lawsuit for damages and ultimately wins. While the case is pending, Dudington’s ship is burned by a Rhode Island mob in what becomes known as the Gaspee Affair. In its aftermath, Greene grows increasingly alienated from British authority.

Personal and Military Milestones

1773
Greene is removed from Quaker meetings. The first woman he proposes to declines his offer of marriage.

July 20, 1774
He marries 19-year-old Catherine Littlefield in Warwick, Rhode Island. She is related by marriage to the Rhode Island governor—an influential political figure—and is also Greene’s distant cousin.

1774
Helps form the Military Independent Company of East Greenwich.

October 1774
Helps organize the Kentish Guards, a local militia, and serves as a private. (It is believed he may have been passed over for an officer’s position because of his limp.)

May 8, 1775
Commissioned as brigadier general of the Rhode Island Army of Observation and joins the siege of Boston.

June 22, 1775
Commissioned as a brigadier general in the Continental Army—a technical demotion from his Rhode Island rank. Unlike other officers in similar situations, he does not protest.                                
                            

His Military Career — Northern Campaign

March 20, 1776 – Following the British evacuation of Boston, Greene takes command of the American forces occupying the city.
August 9, 1776 – Commissioned a major general in the Continental Army.
September 1776 – George Washington assigns him responsibility for the defense of Long Island.
September 16, 1776 – Sees his first combat at the Battle of Harlem Heights.
November 20, 1776 – Oversees the evacuation of Fort Lee and joins the retreat across New Jersey.
December 26, 1776 – Participates in the Battle of Trenton.

January 3, 1777 – Fights at the Battle of Princeton; the army then moves into winter quarters at Morristown.
April 13, 1777 – Leads reinforcements from Morristown after the Battle of Bound Brook.
September 11, 1777 – Participates in the Battle of Brandywine; his forces help ensure an orderly American retreat.
October 4, 1777 – Fights at the Battle of Germantown.
November 1777 – Involved in unsuccessful efforts to hold Forts Mercer and Mifflin in southern New Jersey.
Winter 1777–1778 – Encamped at Valley Forge, where he also leads foraging expeditions.

1778 – Appointed Quartermaster General after his predecessor abandons the post. Greene reluctantly accepts and begins reorganizing the army’s supply system.
June 28, 1778 – Participates in the Battle of Monmouth Court House.
August 29, 1778 – Commands the right wing at the Battle of Rhode Island.

October 1778 – April 1779 – Winters at the Van Veghten House during the Middlebrook encampment; his wife Catherine joins him. (During the war, they have six children.)

July 26, 1780 – Resigns as Quartermaster General after Congress reduces the office’s authority amid financial strain and concerns over expenses.
September 1780 – Presides over the military court that sentences John André to death for assisting Benedict Arnold’s attempt to surrender West Point.
October 1780 – Appointed commander at West Point.

His Military Career - Southern Campaign

October 14, 1780 – Chosen to command the Continental Army in the Southern Department.
December 16, 1780 – Divides his army in the Carolinas to improve mobility and supply.

March 15, 1781 – Leads American forces at the Battle of Guilford Court House.
April 25, 1781 – Commands at the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill.

May 22 – June 19, 1781 – Directs the unsuccessful siege of Ninety-Six.
September 8, 1781 – Leads the army at the Battle of Eutaw Springs.

December 1782 – Occupies Charleston after the British evacuation.
June 1783 – Furloughs the Southern Army.
November 27, 1783 – Reunites with his family at Spell Hall in Coventry, Rhode Island, carrying considerable personal debt.

1785 – Settles at Mulberry Grove plantation near Savannah, Georgia, granted to him by the state. His first rice crop fails, and his oldest son drowns.

June 19, 1786 – Dies of heatstroke at his plantation. His estate remains tied up in legal disputes for many years.                                   
 

According to Wikipedia, numerous places and things have been named after Greene across the United States. Fourteen counties are named for Greene, the most populous of which is Greene County, Missouri. Municipalities named for Greene include Greensboro, North Carolina; Greensboro, Georgia; Greensburg, Pennsylvania; Greenville, North Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina, and Greeneville, Tennessee. Other things named for Greene include the Green River in Kentucky, Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, and several schools. Several naval ships have been named for him, including the USRC General Green, the USS General Greene, the USS Nathanael Greene, and the USAV MGen Nathanael Greene.