Nathanael Greene: The General Who Saved the Revolution

Of all the Patriots who served in the American Revolution, perhaps only George Washington made a greater contribution than did General Nathanael Greene. One of Washington's most trusted advisors, Greene proved his ability and courage in many of the war's most important battles. But his most important task was as commander of the Continental Army in the southern colonies. When Greene was appointed to the post in late 1780, the British Army seemed unstoppable and American hopes for independence were fading. But Greene developed and implemented a strategy that would turn things around in less than a year, culminating in the British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781, and the eventual end of the Revolution. Nathanael Greene would undoubtedly have played an important part in the early years of the newly independent United States of America if not for his sudden tragic death in 1786 at age 44. He deserves to be remembered as one of America's greatest commanders.