GREENE, NATHANAEL, an Ameri can military officer; born in Warwick co., R. I., May 27, 1742. His school educa tion was of the simplest and most limited character; but by industry he acquired a knowledge of the principal branches of English education, and made some progress in law. On the commence ment of the troubles between the colonies and Great Britain, he volunteered as a private (1774) ; but the following year he was chosen, by the Assembly of Rhode Island, general of the contingent fur nished by that colony to the army near Boston. He was made Major-General in the Continental army in 1776, and ac companied Washington on his brilliant expedition into New Jersey near the close of the same year. He performed a prominent part in the disastrous battle of Germantown (1777), on which occa sion his courage and skill did much to ward retrieving the reputation of the American arms. In 1778 he was ap pointed quartermaster-general. After the
defeat of General Gates (1780) at the battle of Camden, S. C., he was appointed to the command of the S. army, which he found demoralized, and in a state of utter destitution. His presence soon re stored the confidence of the troops. In March, 1781, he was defeated by Lord Cornwallis in the hard-fought battle of Guilford Court House, but the English general derived no permanent advantages from this success. Cornwallis having re treated into Virginia, Greene defeated, after a severe action (September, 1781), the forces of Colonel Stewart at Eutaw Springs, and thereby put an end to the British power in South Caro lina. This was the last battle in which General Greene was engaged, though he held his command till the end of the war. He died from the effect of a sun stroke at Mulberry Grove on the Savan nah river, June 19, 1786.