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(1742-1786), general, born in Warwick, R.I., served in the Rhode Island Assembly in 1770. He joined a military company in 1774 and was commissioned brigadier-general in 1775. He was active in the engagement at Dorchester Heights, and was made major-general in 1776. He fought at Trenton and at Princeton and saved the American forces from defeat at Brandywine by a rapid march and skillful management. He commanded the left wing at Germantown, skillfully covering the retreat, and in 1778 was appointed quartermaster-general while retaining his rank in the field. He presided at the trial of Major Andre. In 1780 he succeeded Gates in command of the Southern forces. One of his detachments, under General Morgan, having gained a decisive victory at Cowpens, Greene joined him with reinforcements and attacked Cornwallis at Guilford Court House. He then began a brilliant campaign in South Carolina, engaging Lord Rawdon at Camden, capturing Forts Watson, Motte and Granby, regaining Orangeburg, Augusta and Fort Ninety-six, and winning a decisive victory at Eutaw Springs. Soon afterward a detachment under General Wayne took possession of Savannah and Greene occupied Charleston. He disbanded his troops in 1783. By his skill in military manoeuvres he proved himself one of the most brilliant generals of that period, second only to Washington, among those of the Revolution.