Forging the Vision : Nathanael Green
as the head of the colony ’ s armed forces . According to biographer Theodore Thayer , Greene ’ s performance on this committee removed any doubt of his military competence . 13
In late 1774 , when Greene made his usual trek to Boston , instead of books , arming himself was the mission . Although he did acquire a rifle , he brought home something perhaps even more valuable . He engaged and enlisted the aid of William Johnson , a deserter from the British army . Greene convinced Johnson to come back to Rhode Island and become the drillmaster for the Kentish Guard . Johnson agreed , relocated to East Greenwich , and trained the Guard in the style of the British army . The installment of this former British soldier paid dividends for the Guard as Johnson drilled them three times per week , preparing them for the fight ahead . 14
Immediately following the engagements at Lexington and Concord on April 19 , 1775 , the Kentish Guards were activated and marched as far as Pawtucket , Rhode Island , when a messenger intercepted them with a message from the governor . They were instructed not to engage and return to their homes . While most of them complied , Greene , two of his brothers , and at least one other man ignored the order and pressed on until hearing that the British had retreated to Boston . Only then did they return to their homes . 15
In response to the outbreak of the war , Rhode Island decided that in addition to its requirement for each militia-aged male to be prepared to defend the province , they also needed a regular army . The result was the establishment of a fifteen-hundred-man army dubbed the Army of Observation on May 8 , 1775 . This new outfit needed a commander , and while most sources lead one to believe that Greene was the first choice , he was not . Rather , their first choice was an Episcopalian and their second choice was a Congregationalist . Both declined . Rhode Island then settled on Private Greene , commissioning him as Brigadier General in charge of all of Rhode Island ’ s forces . 16
Meanwhile , the colony of Massachusetts understood that it would only be a matter of time before the British forces would seek revenge on their embarrassments at Lexington and Concord . They called for all New England troops to assemble at Cambridge , and the Rhode Island assembly ordered Greene and his brigade to the rebel rally point . It did not take long for Rhode Islanders to take notice of Greene ’ s efforts as he worked tirelessly “ raising , equipping , and drilling ” his troops . The way he handled the problems he encountered , and the progress he made with his brigade , ensured Rhode Island that Greene was the right choice . On May 20 , 1775 , twelve days after receiving his commission , Greene began moving his army in waves to join the New England militias ’ rallying point in Massachusetts . 17 At Cambridge , Greene was quick
to make a good impression on the more seasoned generals roaming the rebel encampment outside Boston . Among generals such as Israel Putnam , Philip Schuyler , and Charles Lee , Greene was
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