Nathanael Greene in South Carolina: Hero of the American Revolution (Military) by Moring Leigh M

Author:Moring, Leigh M. [Moring, Leigh M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Published: 2016-12-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

“A MOST OBSTINATE AND BLOODY ACTION”

Dear Sir, We have a most obstinate and bloody action. Victory was ours.

–Greene to George Washington on the Battle of Eutaw Springs

These were the words written by Nathanael Greene upon the end of the Battle of Eutaw Springs. Greene’s words captured the essence of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, one of the costliest battles of the Revolutionary War. Greene’s southern campaigns had been particularly dramatic up until this point, as he had an army that had suffered two devastating defeats before he even took charge and transformed the campaign.

It can be noted that Greene overcame more than most generals would have upon receiving command. As previously stated, his army was in a terrible condition, as his men lacked the proper equipment and clothing and had no food and some deserted because of the lack of necessities. Despite the equipment problems, Greene had been able to turn this disheveled band of ruffians into an effective fighting force with new discipline and training strategies. Despite his initial success with his inherited men, he would always struggle to keep his army clothed, fed, equipped and present for duty. The summer of 1781 proved uneventful for Greene and his men. After the tactically unsuccessful Siege of Ninety-Six, he decided to give his army a six-week respite in the High Hills of the Santee River. Despite losing the siege, Greene was triumphant in one key aspect: Rawdon and the British were forced closer to the coast in the Charleston area, and Greene was one step closer to reaching his goal of ridding South Carolina of the British for good. The operation at Ninety-Six had taken a toll on both armies, and Rawdon himself was in such poor health that he gave up command and left for England. Alexander Stewart took over both armies and rested his weary men around Charleston. However, something brought the British back to the Midlands from the Lowcountry one last time.

Stewart received news that Greene was breaking his rest and marching his men toward Charleston. Greene had hoped to engage the British once more before Cornwallis possibly sent reinforcements and returned to South Carolina. 63 This plan was still a risky move for Greene. If the impending siege at Yorktown was unsuccessful for the Patriots, Cornwallis could move farther south, and it would be up to Greene’s army to block his retreat. That would leave him in between Cornwallis and Stewart, who could easily destroy him. Greene needed to strike Stewart quickly and cripple the army enough to prevent another attack. Stewart also decided that he would meet Greene instead of waiting for him and risking the chance to be penned in Charleston by Greene and his men. Both armies consisted of about two thousand men. The heat was extreme in late August, so marching would only happen in the early morning and evening. On August 30, 1781, Greene reached Howell’s Ferry on the Congaree River, while Stewart moved to Eutaw. 64 After their long rest, the Patriot forces were ready and eager to eliminate the British.

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