GREENE (NATHANIEL,) a major-general of the army of the United States, was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, about the year 1740. His parents were quakers. His fa ther was an anchor-smith, who was concerned in some va luable iron works, and transacted much business. While he was a boy, he learned the Latin language chiefly by his own unassisted industry. Having procured a small libra ry, his mind was much improved, though the perusal of military history occupied a considerable share of his atten tion. Such was the estimation in which his character was held, that he was at an early period of his life chosen a member of the assembly of Rhode Island. After the bat tle of Lexington had enkindled at once the spirit of Ameri cans throughout the whole continent, Mr Greene, though educated in the peaceful principles of the friends, could not extinguish the martial ardour which had been excited in his own breast. Receiving the command of three regiments with the title of brigadier general, he led them to Cambridge ; in consequence of which the quakers renounced all con nexion with him as a member of their religious body. On the arrival of Washington at Cambridge, he was the first who expressed to the commander in chief his satisfaction in his appointment, and he soon gained his entire confi &nee. He was appointed by congress major general in August, 1776. In the battles of Trenton, on the 26th of December following, and of Princeton, on the 3d of Janu ary, 1777, he was much distinguished. He commanded the left wing of the American army at the battle of German town, on the 4th of October. In March, 1778, he was ap pointed quarter-master-general, Nirhich office he accepted on condition, that his rank in the army should not be af fected, and that he should retain his command in the time of action. This right he exercised on the 28th of June, at the battle of Monmouth. His courage and skill were again displayed on the 29th of August in Rhode Island. He resigned in this year the office of quarter-master-ge neral, and was succeeded by colonel Pickering. After the disasters which attended the American arms in South Ca rolina, he was appointed to supersede Gates, and he took the command in the southern department December 3, 1780. Having recruited the army, which had been ex
ceedingly reduced by defeat and desertion, he sent out a detachment under the brave general Morgan, who gained the important victory at the Cowpens, January 17, 1781. Greene effected a junction with him on the seventh of February, but on account of the superior numbers of Cornwallis, he retreated with great skill to Virginia. Hav ing received an accession to his forces, he returned to North Carolina, and in the battle of Guilford on the 15th of March was defeated. This victory, however, was dear ly bought by the British, for their loss was greater than that of the Americans, and no advantages were derived from it. In a few days Cornwallis began to march towards Wilmington, leaving many of his wounded behind him, which had the appearance of a retreat, and Greene followed him for some time. But, altering his plan, he resolved to recommence offensive operations in South Carolina. He accordingly marched directly to Camden, where, on the 25th of April, he was engaged with lord Rawdon. Victo ry inclined for some time to the Americans, but the retreat of two companies occasioned the defeat of the whole ar my. Greene retreated in good order, and took such mea sures as effectually prevented lord RA/don from improving his success, and obliged him in the beginning of May to retire beyond the Santee. While he was in the neighbour hood of Santee, Greene hung in one day eight soldiers, who had deserted from his army. For three months after wards no instance of desertion took place. A number of forts and garrisons in South Carolina now fell into his hands. He commenced the siege of Ninety Six on the 22d of May, but he was obliged on the approach of lord Rawdon in June to raise the siege. The army, which had been highly encouraged by the late success, was now reduced to the melancholy necessity of retreating to the extremity of the state.