Humpday History Highlight

Since the postponement of the weekly People I Hate feature, this blog has been sorely lacking a regular staple. With that in mind, I am announcing a new regular feature, entitled the Humpday History Highlight. I love history, and hopefully these posts will both enlighten and entertain. Or not. You be the judge.

As I am currently reading 1776 by David McCullough, I figured General Nathaniel Greene would be my first subject.

Nathanael Greene (August 7, 1742 – June 19, 1786) was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Greensboro, North Carolina, the third-largest city in the state, is named in his honor . . .

At the Battle of Trenton, Greene commanded one of the two American columns. After the victory there, he urged Washington to push on immediately to Princeton, but was overruled by a council of war. At the Battle of Brandywine, Greene commanded the reserve. At Germantown, Greene's command, having a greater distance to march than the right wing under Sullivan, failed to arrive in good time: a failure which Greene himself thought would cost him Washington's trust. But when they arrived at length, Greene and his troops distinguished themselves . . .

The army was weak and badly equipped and was opposed by a superior force under Cornwallis. Greene decided to divide his own troops, thus forcing the division of the British as well, and creating the possibility of a strategic interplay of forces. This strategy led to General Daniel Morgan's victory of Cowpens on January 17, 1781, where nearly nine-tenths of the entire British force were killed or captured . . .

Greene was singularly able and, like other prominent generals on the American side, a self-trained soldier. He was second only to Washington among the officers of the American army in military ability, and the only general, other than Washington, to serve the entire eight years of the war. Like Washington, he had the great gift of using small means to the utmost advantage. His attitude towards the British was humane and even kindly: he even generously defended Gates, who had repeatedly intrigued against him, when Gates's conduct of the campaign in the South was criticized. (H/T - Wikipedia)

Interesting quote: "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."

Greene is one of the unsung heroes of The American Revolution. An analytical warrior, unabashed patriot, and trusted friend and confidant of George Washington, he is a man more people should know.