Nathanael greene biography for kids

This page is about the American Revolutionary War general.

As the likelihood of fighting grew, Greene formed a local militia, near Coventry, where he lived.

People of his faith usually chose pacifism, but Greene wanted to fight for his country's freedom and eventually joined the Continental Army. He died on June 19, 1786, at his home in Mulberry Grove. In 1902, his remains were moved to a monument in Johnson Square in Savannah.

He gained popularity for his charm and wit.

Nathanael Greene, The Fighting Quaker

• After his father’s death, Greene began reading military treatises by authors like Frederick the Great and Maurice de Saxe, expanding his library and knowledge of military tactics. 
• As tensions with Great Britain escalated, Greene, striving to become a “fighting Quaker,” rose to prominence as an army leader in Rhode Island despite being ostracized by the pacifist Quaker community. 
• In response to the Intolerable Acts, he helped organize the Kentish Guards in 1774 and, despite his limp, joined as a private, quickly proving his abilities and earning the role of brigadier general of the Rhode Island militia in May 1775.
• By June 1775, Greene was promoted to brigadier general in the Continental Army, where he impressed George Washington and took command of a brigade. 
• He briefly commanded the Continental garrison in Boston after the British left before rejoining Washington’s army in Manhattan in April 1776.

Serving Under Washington

• In May 1776, Washington assigned Greene the task of defending Brooklyn, where he oversaw fortifications and directed the construction of Fort Washington in Manhattan. 
• Despite being promoted to major general for his efforts, Greene fell ill and could not lead the Americans during the Battle of Long Island (August 27), resulting in a significant defeat.
• Following the loss, Greene helped convince Washington to abandon New York City, and after a minor victory at Harlem Heights, he oversaw retreats through New Jersey, where the Americans suffered a major defeat at Fort Washington in November 1776.
• Greene’s leadership in setting up supply depots allowed the Continental Army to continue its retreat, but by December, the army had dwindled to just 3,000 men. 
• Determined to redeem himself, Greene played a key role in the victories at Princeton and Trenton in late 1776, which helped sustain the American cause.

Nathanael Greene As Quartermaster General

• In the subsequent campaign season, Greene was a key player in the Battle of Brandywine, which took place on September 11, 1777. 
• Greene’s brigade repelled the British outflanking of the Continental Army’s right wing long enough for the rest of the army to withdraw systematically. 
• A few weeks later, Greene’s unit arrived late to the Battle of Germantown (October 4) due to a combination of fog and poor communication, which led to yet another American defeat.
• Over 2,000 Continental soldiers would perish that winter as a result of insufficient supplies after the Continental Army moved into winter quarters at Valley Forge on December 19, 1777.
• Washington wanted to improve the army’s poorly run supply department with Congress’s approval, but he needed a reliable person to be the Quartermaster General.
• Although he believed he was more qualified for a field command, Greene grudgingly accepted the job when Washington chose him for it in March 1778. 
• In addition to trying to restructure the supply department, he promptly dispatched foraging parties to gather food for the starving soldiers. 
• He quickly built supply depots throughout the United States, enhanced the army’s transportation network, and ensured that the troops had access to food and clothing. 
• For two years, Greene served as the quartermaster general, doing his job exceptionally well. 
• He maintained his position on Washington’s council of war, held field commands, and led forces at the Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Rhode Island.

Southern Campaign

• By October 1780, the British had gained control of much of the South, and Washington, busy defending the Hudson River Valley, appointed Greene to command the Continental Army’s Southern Department.
• Upon arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina, in December, Greene found his army weak and poorly supplied but decided to split it, with General Morgan leading 600 men to South Carolina. 
• Greene’s strategy paid off when Morgan defeated a British detachment at the Battle of Cowpens in January 1781, forcing Cornwallis to pursue him while Greene successfully retreated across the Dan River.
• Greene used three lines of militia and Continental forces in a defensive tactic at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in March 1781. 
• Despite inflicting heavy losses on the British, the Americans were forced to withdraw after bloody hand-to-hand combat and artillery fire, giving Cornwallis a tactical victory.

War of Posts

• After his costly victory at Guilford Courthouse, Cornwallis marched his weary army to Wilmington, North Carolina, while Greene followed at a safe distance. 
• Instead of pursuing Greene, Cornwallis headed north to Yorktown, Virginia.

  Greene was ill with a bad fever when his troops lost the Battle of Long Island. Washington then launched a surprise attack at the Battle of Germantown in October 1777. The result was a string of victories such as had not been seen in the north. Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

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  But it was not to be, as Greene passed away at the age of 43 from sunstroke on June 19, 1786. 

• Greene is now frequently regarded as the Continental Army’s second-most significant general after Washington. Defeats at Brandywine and Germantown led to the British seizure of Philadelphia, and the Continental Army settled in for a nearly disastrous winter at Valley Forge.

  These include the Green River in Kentucky, Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, and several schools. He was to lead the Continental Army in the southern states. The British tried to surround the American forces. Greene's group arrived late, and the Americans lost this battle too. His father, Nathanael Greene Sr., was a successful Quaker merchant and farmer.

  These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Nathanael Greene.Nathanael Greene (1742–1786) was a key general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

  Complete List of Included Worksheets

  Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Nathanael Greene Facts
  2. Greene’s Life
  3. A Closer Look
  4. To Fight or Not to Fight?
  5. Think Like Greene
  6. Call to Arms!
  7. Strategic Paths
  8. Checkmate
  9. Tug-of-War
  10. Secret Mission
  11. Train Like a Soldier!

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Who was Nathanael Greene?

  Nathanael Greene was a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, known for his leadership in the Southern Campaign.

  Why is Nathanael Greene important?

  He is credited with turning the tide of the war in the South through brilliant tactics and strategic retreats, weakening British forces and contributing significantly to American victory.

  What was Greene’s role in the Southern Campaign?

  After being appointed commander of the Southern Army in 1780, Greene used hit-and-run tactics, avoided major defeats, and helped drive British forces out of the Carolinas.

  Did Nathanael Greene win any major battles?

  Though he rarely won outright victories, Greene’s leadership at battles like Guilford Courthouse (1781) inflicted heavy losses on the British, contributing to their eventual retreat.

  What happened to Greene after the war?

  After the war, Greene retired to Georgia, where he managed plantations.

  The younger Nathanael got elected to the colonial General Assembly and was re-elected multiple times. Greene led part of Washington's army in two important victories. The Nathanael Greene Monument in Savannah, Georgia, is where he is buried.

  Many places and things in the United States are named after Greene.

  He lost numerous battles including the Battle of Guilford Court House in North Carolina on March 15th of 1781; however each loss inflicted huge casualties on the British; part of General Greene's plan.

• Greene's strategy in the south eventually forced the British army led by General Cornwallis to flee to the coastal town of Yorktown Virginia.

  Greene was blamed for the loss of the forts but George Washington maintained his faith in the important commander.

• On March 2nd of 1778 George Washington made General Greene the quartermaster general of the Continental Army responsible for keeping the army supplied.