GREENE, NATHANAEL

born Aug. 7, 1742, Potowomut, R.I. died June 19, 1786, Mulberry Grove, Ga. American general in the U.S. War of Independence (1775-83). After managing a branch of his father's iron foundry, Greene served several terms in the colonial legislature and was elected commander of the Rhode Island army, organized in 1775; he was made a major general in 1776. Greene served with Washington in the siege of Boston (1775-76), in the fighting in and around New York City (1776), and in the retreat across New Jersey after the British capture of Fort Washington (November 1776). He also led troops at Trenton (December 1776) and, the following year, at Brandywine and Germantown. After briefly serving as quartermaster general, Greene succeeded General Horatio Gates as commander in chief of the southern army in October 1778. Opposed by a superior force under Lord Cornwallis, Greene decided to divide his own troops, thus forcing the division of the British as well. His strategy led to General Daniel Morgan's victory at Cowpens, S.C. (Jan. 17, 1781). Although Greene was defeated at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, N.C. (March 15, 1781), the British troops were so weakened that Cornwallis abandoned his plan to conquer North Carolina. Taking the offensive, Greene began the reconquest of inner South Carolina, and by the end of June he had forced the British back to the coast. On September 8 Greene engaged the British under Lieutenant Colonel James Stuart at Eutaw Springs, where the British were so weakened that they withdrew to Charleston. He held them there during the remainder of the war. According to some historians, Greene's character was somewhat less solid than his generalship. Although charges of his having been in secret partnership with John Banks, army contractor for Greene in the South, were not proved, there is evidence that as quartermaster general he was in secret partnership with Jeremiah Wadsworth, commissary general of purchases. Nevertheless, South Carolina and Georgia voted Greene liberal grants of land and money. He settled in 1785 on an estate near Savannah, Ga.