Washington's General

Terry Golway's "Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution" brings overdue recognition to one of the Revolutionary War's most capable military leaders. While George Washington receives the lion's share of attention in popular histories of the era, Greene's strategic brilliance and tireless dedication proved instrumental in securing American independence, particularly during the grueling Southern Campaign that ultimately turned the tide of the war.

Golway, an accomplished historian and journalist, crafts a compelling narrative that traces Greene's remarkable transformation from a Rhode Island Quaker with no military training to the Continental Army's most trusted general. The book examines how this self-taught strategist earned Washington's complete confidence and became the commander's indispensable right hand throughout the conflict. Greene's journey stands as a testament to the revolutionary ideal that merit and ability, rather than birthright or formal credentials, could elevate an individual to positions of crucial responsibility.

The biography excels in its detailed examination of Greene's military campaigns, particularly his masterful conduct of operations in the Southern theater from 1780 to 1781. After the catastrophic American defeat at Camden and the treasonous actions of Benedict Arnold, Washington entrusted Greene with the seemingly impossible task of reviving patriot fortunes in the Carolinas and Georgia. Golway demonstrates how Greene's unconventional approach, which included strategic retreats, guerrilla tactics, and collaboration with irregular forces led by figures like Francis Marion and Daniel Morgan, gradually exhausted British resources and undermined their control of the region.

The author provides thorough coverage of key engagements including the battles of Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, Hobkirk's Hill, and Eutaw Springs. Rather than seeking decisive pitched battles he could not win with his outnumbered forces, Greene implemented a war of attrition that drained British strength and extended their supply lines to the breaking point. Golway illustrates how this strategy, though it resulted in numerous tactical defeats for Greene's army, achieved the strategic objective of rendering the British position in the South untenable. As Greene himself reportedly observed, he fought, got beaten, rose, and fought again, gradually wearing down his adversaries through persistence and calculated risk-taking.

Beyond military matters, the book explores Greene's complex personality and relationships. His close friendship with Washington emerges as a central theme, highlighting the mutual respect and trust that bound these two very different men. Golway also addresses Greene's difficult financial circumstances, both during and after the war, revealing how the general's service left him deeply in debt despite his invaluable contributions to the patriot cause. The postwar period, in which Greene struggled to establish himself as a Southern planter, receives appropriate attention and adds poignancy to the narrative of his premature death in 1786 at age forty-three.

The biography draws on extensive primary source materials, including correspondence between Greene and Washington, letters to Greene's wife Caty, and contemporary accounts of military operations. Golway's research provides readers with authentic insights into eighteenth-century military leadership and the immense logistical challenges facing the Continental Army. The persistent shortages of supplies, weapons, clothing, and pay that plagued American forces throughout the war receive candid treatment, helping modern readers understand the extraordinary difficulties Greene overcame in maintaining an effective fighting force.

Golway's accessible writing style makes complex military maneuvers comprehensible to general readers without sacrificing historical rigor. The narrative moves at a steady pace, balancing strategic analysis with human interest elements that bring Greene and his contemporaries to life as fully realized historical figures rather than distant names from the past. The author's background in journalism serves him well, as he presents historical information clearly and engagingly without resorting to excessive academic apparatus or overly technical military terminology.

The book makes a persuasive case for reassessing Greene's historical importance. While he never achieved the name recognition of Washington, and while he served without the flamboyance of figures like Benedict Arnold or the marquis de Lafayette, Greene's contributions to American independence were arguably second only to those of the commander in chief himself. Golway demonstrates that understanding Greene's career is essential to understanding how the Revolutionary War was actually won, particularly in the crucial Southern theater where independence was ultimately secured.

"Washington's General" serves as both an engaging biography and an important work of military history. It rescues a pivotal figure from relative obscurity and places him in his proper context as one of the Revolutionary era's most significant leaders. Readers interested in the American Revolution, military history, or leadership studies will find much of value in this well-researched and thoughtfully written account of Nathanael Greene's life and legacy.