General Nathanael Greene
Robert Wilson oil painting, 1978 Major General Nathanael Greene, Commander of the Southern Department, Continental Army Patriot CommanderBorn: July 27, 1742, Rhode Island Died: June 19, 1786 Savannah, GA Buried: Savannah, GA ● October 17, 1780: Chosen by General George Washington to command the Southern Department. ● December 3, 1780: Assumed command.
At Ninety Six: May 22- June 19, 1781 Greene said, “Ninety Six must fall.” ● 38 years old ● May 21-22: After conferring with Kosciuszko, Greene decided to set siege to the Loyalist held Star Fort. Greene commanded about 1,624 troops at Ninety Six. ● June 3: Asked Loyalist commander John Harris Cruger to surrender. Cruger refused. ● June 6: Learned that British reinforcements were headed for Ninety Six. ● June 18: Directed assault on the Star Fort. Allowed the assault because his men wanted to at least try to take the Fort. ● June 19: Prepared Patriot Army to withdraw from Ninety Six. ● June 20: Left Ninety Six to the Loyalists.
Painting is a copy of a portrait of Greene that hangs in the Capital in Washington, DC.
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Did You Know?
Ninety Six got its name around 1730 because it was believed to be 96 miles from here to Keowee, which was a Lower Cherokee town, near where Clemson, SC is today. You can view the remnants of the Cherokee Path & many other historic roads at Ninety Six National Historic Site.