The Generals - Rev War Ancestors

I have saved for the final Rev War post, two of my more interesting collateral ancestors - both distant cousins.

(1) Nathanael Greene was a Quaker by birth, but chose the military. He served as Quartermaster General of the Continental Army & became one of Washington's most trusted officers. Washington wanted Greene to take over the Southern Campaign in 1780, but Congress chose the "Hero of Saratoga," Horatio Gates to take the command. After Gates led his army into a disastrous defeat at Camden, SC & fled the battlefield, Congress gave in to Washington & placed Greene in command of the Southern Army. Greene's victories were few & far between, but he was able to keep Cornwallis at bay. At Guilford Courthouse, NC, Greene handed Cornwallis a tactical defeat. Since the British held the field of battle, Guilford was considered a British victory. Had Washington been killed or captured, it is likely that Gen. Nathanael Greene would have replaced him.

(2) Another of Washington's favorite officers met with a different fate. He helped take Fort Ticonderoga from the British & was a key figure in the invasion of Canada. He added several other feathers to his cap before afoul of his commanding general, Horatio Gates at Saratoga. Still, it was the brilliance of this officer that allowed Gates to become the "Hero of Saratoga." Seriously wounded, the general was appointed military governor of Philadelphia. His questionable actions in Philadelphia led to a reprimand from Washington. Angry over the reprimand & not receiving due credit for his military career, this officer requested command of West Point & sold the outpost's plans to the British. Benedict Arnold had been one of the most brilliant commanders in the Continental Army, now he had turned coat & was a traitor rather than a hero.