In the annals of American history, the name of our first president seems almost always to be foremost on the lips of those who recall our country's heroes. Yet , the success of our forces in America's first war belongs as much to our second in command, Major General Nathanael Greene. As one of the original members of the Independent Company of Kentish Guards, Greene was, at the outset, responsible for securing the services of a British drill sergeant, one Daniel Box (whom he induced to desert) to instill the principles of military discipline in the newly formed company.
As the war progressed, Greene was appointed Brigadier General of the
Rhode Island forces, whose bearing and discipline so impressed
Washington that he arranged for Greene's services on a larger
scale. As the first Quartermaster General of our fledgling
forces, Greene overcame the almost insurmountable problems of feeding,
clothing, housing and arming a seemingly disorganized army from a
strongly divided and oft-times confused group of thirteen colonies.
In recognition of his achievement, the Continental Congress, at
Washington's request, appointed Greene second in command, and
placed him in full charge of the armies of the South. He there
conducted a masterful campaign, culminating in brilliant victories over
superior British forces, and eventually routed the Red Coats from the
entire South. The significance of his contribution
to our fight for freedom has unfortunately not only been vastly
underestimated, but often overlooked by many historians. In
recognition of his achievements, the Colony of Georgia erected a most
impressive memorial in his honor and presented him with a magnificent
estate. Nathanael returned, for a short time, to his home in
Coventry, Rhode Island, but eventually suffered ill health and died at
an early age while at his Georgia estate.
