Nathanael Greene Tells His Story of Serving Under George Washington In the Revolution

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My name is Nathanael Greene, and I served as one of General George Washington’s most trusted officers during the American Revolutionary War. Though I may not have started my life as a soldier, war has a way of shaping a man quickly. I came from a Quaker family in Rhode Island, a group known for its pacifism. But when it became clear that the British intended to deny us our freedom, I knew that I had to act. I had always been a student of military strategy, even in my younger days, reading everything I could about the art of war. Little did I know that those readings would one day serve me well.

By 1775, I had become involved in the cause of liberty, and when the war broke out at Lexington and Concord, I was ready. Despite my limp, a result of a childhood injury, I joined the fight, and before long, I found myself under the command of General Washington. I had a lot to learn, but I was determined to prove myself. Washington took a chance on me, appointing me as a brigadier general, and that was the beginning of my journey as a military leader.

Fast forward to 1777, and we were in the midst of the Campaign for Philadelphia, the capital of the rebellious colonies. The British had their eyes set on capturing it, and we knew that losing the city would be a devastating blow to our cause. It was a long, hard-fought campaign, and I was right in the thick of it.

We first encountered the British at the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777. Washington entrusted me with a critical position, commanding the right wing of our army. We fought bravely, but General Howe, the British commander, outflanked us with a clever maneuver, forcing us to retreat. Though we lost the battle, it was not the end of the fight.

I was next given command at the Battle of Germantown, another attempt to thwart the British advance on Philadelphia. This was one of our boldest strategies yet—a surprise attack on the British encampment. We came close to victory that day, but confusion on the battlefield led to our retreat. The fog of war, both literal and figurative, can be an enemy as powerful as any army.

Philadelphia fell to the British in late September, a bitter defeat for us Patriots. But my mind was always on the bigger picture. We might lose battles, but we could still win the war if we stayed committed and fought smart. Washington continued to place his trust in me, and I took on responsibilities beyond the battlefield. I became the army’s Quartermaster General, ensuring that our troops were fed, clothed, and supplied despite the British blockade and the harsh conditions of war.

The winter that followed, at Valley Forge, was perhaps the darkest time of the war. The soldiers suffered terribly from hunger, cold, and disease, but I did everything I could to provide for them. If we could survive that winter, I knew we could survive anything.

Though the Campaign for Philadelphia ended in the British holding the city, it was far from the end of the Revolution. We adapted, we learned from our mistakes, and we grew stronger with each passing day. I went on to lead successful campaigns in the South, but the lessons I learned during the defense of Philadelphia stayed with me. War is not just about glory on the battlefield. It is about perseverance, preparation, and the willingness to keep fighting, even when things seem darkest. That’s what we did, and it is why, in the end, we prevailed.

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