Nathanael Greene (1742–1786) was a major general in the Continental Army and one of George Washington's most trusted officers. Born in Rhode Island, Greene was a Quaker who defied his pacifist upbringing to join the fight for independence. He played a pivotal role in the Southern Campaign, employing guerrilla tactics to weaken British forces. Despite suffering tactical defeats, Greene's strategy eroded British control in the South, leading to their eventual surrender at Yorktown. After the war, Greene settled in Georgia, where he managed a plantation until his untimely death. It is important to note that Greene owned enslaved people, a fact that complicates his legacy as a patriot.
