Research Catalog

Title

Washington's general : Nathanael Greene and the triumph of the American Revolution / Terry Golway.

Author

Golway, Terry, 1955-

Publication

New York : Henry Holt, 2005.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

x, 355 pages : maps; 25 cm

Summary

"Unjustly humiliated for the loss of New York early in the war, Nathanael Greene demonstrated the ability to turn defeat into victory in countless engagements. Yet it wasn't until he replaced Horatio Gates, the failed commander of the southern army, and formulated an unconventional campaign employing hit-and-run guerilla tactics that his true military genius became apparent." "Greene knew that the lessons learned under Washington on the battlefields of New Jersey and Pennsylvania would not apply in the South. Instead of risking conventional battles with Cornwallis's superior army, Greene kept his smaller field forces of Continentals and militia, cavalry and lightly outfitted infantry in constant motion. His was a partisan campaign, and its success depended upon local support. His unorthodox strategy was to win by surprise attacks and hasty retreats, which cut the enemy's supply lines until the British leaders tired of hunger and bloody sacrifices." "In one of the most audacious decisions of the war, Greene divided his army, separating Daniel Morgan's nimble troops from his own by 120 miles, with Cornwallis's army between them. The gamble paid off handsomely: the victory that followed not only stunned the British, it gave heart to southern patriots. Conscious of doubts among many southerners about the Revolution, Greene believed civilians would be more inclined to join the Continentals if the cause did not seem unwinnable. Greene's unconventional campaign sealed the bargain, and the way was prepared for the final victory at Yorktown less than a year later." "Terry Golway's new book, drawn from field documents, letters, diaries, and other sources, takes full account of the scope of Nathanael Greene's remarkable accomplishments, returning the forgotten patriot to his proper place in American history."--BOOK JACKET.

Subject

• Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
• United States. Continental Army > Biography
• Generals > United States > Biography
• United States > Campaigns. > Revolution, 1775-1783

Note

• "A John Macrae book."

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 339-342) and index.

ISBN

0805070664

LCCN

2004052259

OCLC

• ocm55220273
• SCSB-5142352

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries