During the War for American Independence, 78 men were commissioned as general officers into the Continental Army by the Continental Congress. Many of these generals commanded troops with differing levels of competence and success. George Washington is typically seen as most important general, however throughout the war a number of his subordinates were able to distinguish themselves amongst their peers. One such general was Nathanael Greene. At the end of the Revolutionary War, Greene would become Washington’s most important subordinate, as demonstrated by Edward Lengel’s assessment of Greene as “the youngest and most capable of Washington’s generals.” Washington and Greene developed a strong, positive and close relationship between themselves. …show more content…
Working from the suggestions given by Morgan before his departure, Greene integrated the large number of militia forces into his regular continental forces. Regular army officers were placed in command of the militia forces. Morgan commented on the militia when he stated “If they fight, you will beat Cornwallis; if not, he will beat you, and perhaps cut your regulars to pieces…” Greene employed a three line defense system that incorporated regular troops, militia, riflemen and mounted/light troops. He also used tactical retreat during the battle. This way he cut losses to his men, was able to regroup and still was able to place heavy losses on the British. Overall, Greene displayed his military expertise and his strategic thinking throughout the southern campaign. He was able to divide, tire and elude the British by conducting long marches. When engaged in combat, Greene emphasized placing heavy losses on the British, even at the expense of the success of the battle. Greene masterfully coordinated his subordinate officers and relied on them to produce results. He freed the south of British control and helped to set up the surrender at
While many variables are vital to a successful army on the battlefield, none should be neglected. Each variable discussed in this examination will prove to be important, but the information battle will be paramount in the battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg After the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville in May of 1863, General Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia embarked on their 2nd invasion of the north. General Lee’s first campaign into the north resulted in the Confederate defeat at Antietam. The failure of Lee’s first northern campaign raises the question of his motives.
One of the key strengths of this book is the author's first-hand knowledge of the people, places, and events that he is writing about. He also supplemented this first-hand knowledge with extensive interviews. In one example, he elaborated on the "chain of command" in Vietnam, which began with General Paul Harkins (and William C. Westmoreland) to the CINCPAC (Admiral Harry Felt) and from CINCPAC to Washington. "Not once in their four years of mutual agony in Vietnam did Harkins's successor, General Westmoreland, pick up the telephone and call his commander-in-chief, President Lyndon B. Johnson. Westmoreland did not have the authority, he told me."(169) This information came directly from an interview with Westmoreland. There are other anecdotes similar to this with each contributing to the extensive nature of the book's detail.
The author David McCullough wanted to write about George Washington and his men through losses and miserable retreats, as well as his big successes. Not forgetting McCullough uses his opening chapters to summarize the state of the opposing armies and to introduce some of his major characters: Washington, Nathanael Greene, Henry Knox, and William Howe. 1776 gives a very detailed and informative account of the battles and military life from the Battle of Boston to the Battle of Trenton. Finally the author, David McCullough, of the book as many other works and experiences that tell the reader why and how 1776 is such a credible source as well as expertly written. Many histories that spend a great deal of time narrating the Continental Congress’ development of the idea of “freedom” and “liberty” as it applied to the colonies, this book takes the reader right in the drains following
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "George B. McClellan (United States General)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.
In this essay I will be analyzing the adaptive leadership qualities of General John Stark from the state of New Hampshire in the United States of America. General John Stark was born August 28th, 1728 in Londonderry, New Hampshire and then later died on May 8th 1822 in Derryfield, New Hampshire at the age of 93. Stark would eventually be buried in a cemetery bearing his name, Starke cemetery in Manchester, New Hampshire. John Stark served in many battles during the French and Indian war and later in the American Revolutionary war. Stark served with Rogers Rangers and eventually would attain the rank of Major General in the U.S. Continental Army.
Paper Towns, written by John Green is an award winning novel narrated by a high school senior, Quentin Jacobsen. Ever since Quentin was younger, he had been secretly in love with his neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman. As they got older, they grew apart and went into different social groups. Quentin is shy and level headed, and hangs out with the band nerds. Margo is adventurous, outgoing and mysterious; she is also the most popular girl in school. Quentin's ordinary life got flipped upside down when one night Margo unexpectedly climbed through his bedroom window for a miraculous adventure. The next day, Margo disappears and Quentin is eager to find her.
Despite fear, the risk of arrest, and the risk of dying for helping other people Raoul Wallenberg saved upwards of a hundred thousand Jewish lives from Nazis in Budapest, Hungary, earning the title “Angel of Budapest”. Wallenberg’s selfless actions defined him as an individual, not his noble, wealthy family’s actions. Without the work of Raoul Wallenberg about one hundred thousand lives would have ended in the Holocaust.
Nathanael Greene was a great general and respected by his men, along with the rest of the country. The way that Nathanael Greene saved the Revolutionary war was by taking over the Georgia territory from the British. This gave the Patriots more land. About three years after the war, Nathanael Greene died. During the war Nathanael Greene was so committed that he gave his own house away so he wouldn't be tempted to quit during the war. After the war was done, he was awarded a farm but it didn't prosper like he hoped it would. Because of his finances he had to leave, but about a year after getting rid of his farm he died. It was surprising to everybody. He was forty-four when he died of sunstroke. Nathanael Greene was buried in Colonial Park
George McClellan was born to an affluent Philadelphia family in the year of 1826, as shared by the New World Encyclopedia (2014 par. 3). At age 20, military academy graduation placed McClellan in the U.S. Army of Engineers as second lieutenant. His early combat encounters lived in the Mexican-American War and furthered McClellan to and past first lieutenant to Captain (Pagles 28-29). With wartime aside, McClellan’s work included surveillance of bodies of water, railroads and foreign defense systems (Abraham Lincoln’s Classroom). At the start of the Civil War, McClellan drove the Ohio Army to West Virginia as their Major General. Two battles in and McClellan was a regular hero. In August of 1861, McClellan followed President Lincoln’s instruct to design and lead the Potomac Army as Commander and then as General in Chief (New World Encyclopedia 2014). After McClellan failed to impress with expected action towards Richmond, his position was returned to Army Commander (Pagles 39-42).
Lee was one of the most successful civil war generals due to his impressive battle strategies. General E. Lee graduated from West Point a military college 2nd in his class. This gave him an advantage because he could outsmart the Northern generals. Robert E. ("Robert Edward Lee." Encyclopedia of World Biography,)Lee was a aggressive and daring general. Being aggressive has won him a alot of battles because his army was tougher and pushed back the North. Lee also knew when to attack and not. Using this skill he saved a lot of his troops. It also saved supplies so he didn't run out or ware down his men. Using these skills made Robert E. Lee an impressive general in the Civil War.("Robert E. Lee." Civil War
One of his best traits was his exceptional leadership. In a research paper by Colonel Brian D. Kerl, he says that a huge part of being a good leader is “the ability to plan and conduct a campaign”. When planning his southern campaign, Greene knew that the geography of the South would play a huge factor in the upcoming battles. He took into account the many rivers, tributaries, swamps and mountains. He even studied the river currents, knowing that the colonial army would need every advantage they could possibly
Marquis De Lafayette was a famous and significant French military leader who served in the military during the American Revolution. He gathered numerous qualities that attracted the admiration of people. First of all, the young Lafayette was willing to help Americans fight for independence as a volunteer. Although the King and his family were against this action, his passion, self-reliance, and assertiveness urged this nineteen year old young man to travel to America in 1777. He became the important adjutant of George Washington and developed a great relationship with him. Secondly, Lafayette showed his loyalty to Washington even though several camp officers were against to Washington as the commander of the Continental Armies at Valley Forge. Thirdly, Lafayette’s comprehensive consideration saved American forces from an
Throughout the French and Indian War, it was known that George Washington had immense power but little patience. For instance, in “George Washington and the patience of power” written by David Hein quote from Edmund S. Morgan, “Washington’s genius lay in his understanding of power, both military power and political power, an understanding unmatched by that of any of his contemporaries.” When General Washington led the army to fight the British he had lost more battles than he won. But, the most important lesson he learned from those lost battles was patience, which he gained as a quality of leadership. Moreover, the attributes of being patient helped General Washington learn to understand the limitation of his powers and what his subordinates needed to press forward. To illustrate, General Washington declared that “Patience is a noble virtue, and, when rightly exercised, does not fail of its reward” As General Washington continues to define himself as a man with patience of power, he achieved nobility which earned him the title as the best person to be Commander-in-Chef during the Revolutionary
...e gun, it seemed, the greater the owner‘s pride in it.” (McCullough 33) The Continental army certainly did not look like an army yet these people were brought together in this fight for freedom and prevailed even winning the support of Americans who had no hope the British would be defeated.” Merchant Erving had sided with the Loyalists primarily because he thought the rebellion would fail. But the success of Washington‘s army at Boston had changed his mind as it had for many” (McCullough 108). The reader must comprehend the power of this accomplishment for the rag-tag army. “Especially for those who had been with Washington and who knew what a close call it was at the beginning-how often circumstance, storms, contrary winds, the oddities or strengths of individual character had made the difference- the outcome seemed little short of a miracle.” (McCullough 294).
General George Washington gained command of the continental army in July 3, 1775 from the directions of General Artemus Ward who said, “The Continental Congress having now taken all the Troops of the several Colonies, which have been raised, or which may be hereafter raised, for the support and defense of the Liberties of America; into their Pay and Service: They are now the Troops of the United Provinces of North America; and it is hoped that all Distinctions of Colonies will be laid aside; so that one and the same spirit may animate the whole, and the only contest be, who shall render, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential Service to the great and common cause in which we are all engaged." In this speech General Ward summarized the task that had been bestowed upon General George Washington. Washington was given the task of instilling a new sense of spirit and pride in the continental army. Washington had quite a task in front of him. The continental ...