USA250: Nathanael Greene Becomes a Major General

To quote a classic opera song, today (Aug.9) we mark the 250th anniversary of the appointment of a man who was the very model of a modern major general: Nathanael Greene.

The General Nathanael Greene Homestead states that this is the date in 1776 when Greene received his promotion to major general, which is important because it happened amid a crisis in the cause of American independence. Greene in fact repeatedly helped to prevent crises from destroying the cause altogether, not just in 1776 but in other years also.

From the National Park Service:

The following June Greene received his Continental commission and two months later was promoted to major general. His innate military skill soon made him Washington’s most trusted subordinate.

After the difficult and deadly winter at Valley Forge, there were calls for a change in the quartermaster department, which had failed in its ability to feed and clothe the army. Greene was asked to take charge and remedy the situation. Greene …performed remarkably well…When [Congress] refused him a vote of confidence, Greene resigned in July 1780. His next assignment was to command the defenses of the upper Hudson River, to replace the former commander and traitor, Benedict Arnold.

Following the disastrous Battle of Camden, South Carolina, in August 1780, Congress asked Washington to recommend a new commander for the Southern Department…Taking charge of the remnants of the Southern Army in December, Greene’s conduct of the war in the South for the next three years was to be so successful that it broke the back of the British war effort in America.

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Greene was integral to the success of the cause for American independence and deserves to be honored in this America 250 year.