Major Generals, Part 3

As you are probably wondering - which generals will I showcase today?  I have chosen two generals who were key to the revolution on both sides.  First, the Patriots had General Nathanael Greene.  The British had Sir Henry Clinton.  Let's take a look at the Patriots' general - Nathanael Greene.

Nathanael Greene

General Nathanael Greene (1742-1786) was born on July 27 in Rhode Island.  His family was one of the original settlers to the area. He was an apprentice to an anchorsmith and merchant.  He had no formal education but loved to read and write.  His father purchased a mill and he learned to manage it.  Greene helped establish the first public school in the area.  Over the years, he read many books on military strategy and was even called before the Quaker council because of this interest. In 1770, he was elected to the General Assembly.

As men were training in preparation for the British attack, he also trained.  He was part of a group called - the Kentish Guards. After Lexington and Concord, he rushed to offer help.  When Rhode Island called 1600 men into service, they named him major-general of the forces. He became the youngest general in the Continental Army at the age of 32.  He had no military experience but won the respect of his soldiers because of how he handled himself.  His forces were ready and in place outside of Boston in 1775.

Washington arrived in Boston and the two men became friends immediately.  He was given the rank of Brigadier General and was ordered to New York to drive off the British.  Unfortunately, the British proved quite formidable and Green was forced to retreat in 1776.  He was promoted back to Major General and helped Washington face the British in Princeton and Trenton.  He also assisted Washington at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777.

While Washington was encamped at Valley Forge, he placed Greene in charge of securing supplies and made him Quartermaster-General.   "The Honourable Continental Congress have been pleased to appoint Major-General Greene, Quartermaster-General in the army of the United States - reserving his rank of Major-General in the same."  Greene was not thrilled with the duty but did as he was ordered.

When the British evacuated Philadelphia, Washington and Greene along with their troops followed them to New Jersey.  Greene's service at the Battle of Monmouth was key to the success.  When Benedict Arnold turned traitor and escaped, Greene was given command of West Point.  He was in charge of Andre's trial and even though the British argued for his defense, Andre had confessed.  Greene had the man executed for his treason.

After Gates is defeated at Camden, South Carolina, Congress asks Washington who should replace the man.  Washington names Greene. He headed south and placed men in key positions to help secure supplies and more troops. He arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina in December 1780. Cornwallis started after Greene who was not prepared.  He kept to the rivers and streams until he could gather a force to confront Cornwallis.  He decided to lure Cornwallis to Guildford Court in North Carolina.  He sent word to all Patriot forces to meet him there. He had only 1500 troops, but he broke his forces into three lines.  Although the patriots did not necessarily win the battle, they crippled the British with their repeated attacks. Cornwallis began to retreat and Greene pursued him.  Even with his small army, he secured North Carolina for the Patriots.

Greene decided to move into South Carolina.  He was joined by Frances Marion's forces.  They managed to capture many British strongholds at this time.  He managed to chase Rawdon from his stronghold and gave him chase.  Through continual battles and attacks, he managed to force the British to retreat and lose control of South Carolina as well.  All that remained was Charleston.

When Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Greene and his men took control of Charleston on December 14, 1782.  Finally, sending his best generals and men, he helped free Georgia from British control.

In August of 1783, he surrendered his command, the battles over, the war won and peace finally had arrived for the new country.

Sir Henry Clinton

Sir Henry Clinton - (1730-1795) was the son of Commodore George Clinton, the governor of Newfoundland.  His father later became governor of New York. He was educated in the colonies and actually joined the local militia in 1746. In 1751, he traveled to England and joined the British Army. He purchased a commission as captain and was a gifted officer.  He continued to purchase additional ranks over the years.  In 1758, he became a lieutenant of the 1st Foot Guards.  He was an aide-de-camp to Duke Ferdinand during the Seven Years' War (the French and Indian War).  He was then promoted to colonel in 1762 and in 1772, he was promoted again to Major General.  Not long after, his family secured him a position in Parliament.

When war broke out in the colonies, he was sent to Boston with William Howe and John Burgoyne to help Gage.

In June of 1775, he helped with the British victory at Bunker Hill.  Howe was asked to replace Gage as Commander-in-Chief.  Clinton was made second in command and given the rank of lieutenant general.  He was then sent to the Carolinas.  His attack there was not successful as the troops could not navigate the swamps surrounding Charleston.  He decided to return north to assist how in New York.

He advised Howe and together they won at the Battle of Long Island.  Unfortunately he did not get along with Howe and when he was made a Knight of the Order of Bath, he asked to return to England.  He went into New York to hold it while Howe sailed south to capture Philadelphia.  When Burgoyne asked for assistance, he sent some troops, but kept most of them in New York to guard against an attack from Washington.  Unfortunately, his assistance did not help Burgoyne who surrendered Saratoga.

He was made Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in 1778 after Howe resigned. He took command of Philadelphia with Cornwallis as his second-in-command.  He sent men to assist in the Caribbean against the French which left him weak.  He decided to abandon Philadelphia in order to hold New York.

While stationed in New York, he decided the British could make a stand in the south where many Loyalists still lived.  His men captured Savannah, Georgia and then Charleston, South Carolina.   When he learned the French were heading to New York, he left the southern campaign in Cornwallis' control so he could hold New York.  He tried to offer assistance to Cornwallis, but the man was very independent and made many decisions on his own. When he learned of Cornwallis' troubles at Yorktown, he tried to send men but was too late.

When Cornwallis surrendered, the British government decided Clinton needed to be replaced.  In March of 1782, he was replaced by Sir Guy Carleton.  Clinton was blamed for the defeat in the Americas.


He was responsible for taking and holding New York and Rhode Island (Greene's home state).  He also took hold of Charles Towne (which we call Charleston today) in 1780.  His superiors did not heed his advice and he did not come to Cornwallis' assistance at Yorktown.  He resigned in 1782 and returned to Great Britain.

Major Generals, Part 2

Of course, the biggest question is always - where do we go next?  After listing the major generals in the Revolutionary War in Part 1, I thought I would try to pick the generals who met each other in battle.  So, that led me to General John Burgoyne on the British side and General Horatio Gates on the side of the Patriots.

Horatio Gates (1727/28-1806)

Horatio Gates was born in Maldon, Essex, England.  His parents were reported to be the butler and housekeeper for the Duke of Leeds.  Of course some reports claim this not to be true, but no other evidence is given as to his parentage.  At the age of 22, he joined the British Army.  Her served in Nova Scotia in an attempt to assist Cornwallis.  It was during this campaign that he became a major in 1750.

While he fought with General Braddock, he became badly injured.  Not to be put aside, Gates was an ambitious man and he fought in the French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years War).  In 1760, he became a brigade-major while fighting under Monckton at Fort Pitt.

Once the Seven Years War was over, he purchased an estate in Virginia and retired to a quiet life as a planter, husband, and father.

In 1775, the Continental Congress made him a Brigadier General,

Battle of Saratoga:  He was stationed in Boston, but after helping to evacuate the city, Gates got into a disagreement with General Schuyler over the command of the Northern Department.  Unfortunately, Congress sided with Schuyler.  At Ticonderoga, Gates took command of Schuyler's battered troops and ended up winning a victory.  He forced Burgoyne to surrender at the Second Battle of Saratoga.  While there, he argued with Benedict Arnold about the tact they should take next.  Arnold left camp with his men, charged against Burgoyne, and ended up winning the battle for Gates.

On July 17, 1777 he was made First Adjunct General of the Continental Army.  When Gates was made president of the Board of War, he started competing with George Washington for commander-in-chief.  He felt that since he won at Saratoga and Washington had lost at New York and Philadelphia, he should replace him as Commander-in-Chief. His appeal to Congress failed and he was not given the command.

In November of 1778, he resigned from the Board of War, deciding he wanted to remain as a field general  instead. He was appointed Commander of the Eastern Department.  He returned to his estate in Virginia.

In early 1780, he was given command of the Southern Department.  On August 16th, he took a troop of untrained militia men, who were clearly not ready for battle, and marched against General Cornwallis.  He was defeated at Camden, South Carolina (one of the worst defeats for the patriots during the war).  His own son was killed at this battle.  When he learned of his son's death, he also learned he was  being replaced as the commander of the Southern Department by Greene.  Disgraced, he returned to his home.

In 1784, he finally retired from all active service.  He lived remarried and moved to an estate in New York.  He was very active in New York society for the remainder of his life.  Before he died, he freed all of his slaves (urged by John Adams).  On April 10, 1806, he died suddenly.

John Burgoyne (1722-1792):


Now, let's take a look at his adversary at Saratoga - General John Burgoyne (also know as Gentleman Johnny). He was born in Sutton, Bedfordshire, England.  At the age of 10, he attended Westminster School where he met several men he would work with later in life as officers.

In 1737, he purchased a commission in the Horse Guards - the British cavalry.  Of course, his first commission led him to London, where his duties were light.  While in London, he cut a striking figure, wearing dashing uniforms and gambling heavily.  This is where he garnered his nickname - Gentleman Johnny.  Unfortunately, in 1741 because of his heavy gambling debts, he was forced to sell his commission to pay off these debts.

During the Seven Years War (the French and Indian War), he bought another commission in the 11th Dragoons.  In 1758, he became a captain and then a lieutenant colonel.  He helped pioneer the division in the British army known as the light cavalry.

He saw duty during the Portugal invasion.  He distinguished himself greatly and became a brigadier general.

What of the American Revolution?  What was his part?  He was promoted to Major General when he first arrived in Boston in 1775.  He departed American soil, not long after the shots at Lexington and Concord.  When he returned to the Americas in 1776, he went to Quebec with reinforcements where he helped repulse the Continental Army.  Once more he returned to London.

When he returned to the Americas again in 1777, he was supposed to assist General Howe.  Of course, he felt he had a better plan.  He was overconfident and began his trek toward New York.  He was warned  his plan would not succeed, but he did not heed their warnings.  He was sure General Howe and Clinton would meet him, bringing him support.  Unfortunately for Burgoyne, Howe never got word to join him and Clinton was late in getting started.

Burgoyne was also told incorrectly that the American Indians and the American Loyalists would assist him along the way.  None of this proved to be true.  He managed to capture Fort Ticonderoga, but as he pushed on, he was surrounded by General Horatio Gates.

On October 17, 1777, he was forced to surrender all 5,800 troops to Gates.  He did not want an unconditional surrender, but had no choice as the Congress refused to allow Gates to just walk away with his troops.  All were captured and held prisoner except Burgoyne who was forced to return to London in disgrace.

As the years passed, he was given back his command in Ireland and he served in the House of Commons where he was an advocate against the war.  He died in 1792.