The Saber and Scroll
When Greene was promoted to the rank of Major General in August 1776 , he was once again the youngest and most inexperienced of his contemporaries . The other Continental Major Generals had largely obtained their rank based on military service before the American Revolution . Nonetheless , he did not earn the rank of Major General by accident . Rather , he was driven by an uncanny desire to solidify his legacy that was coupled with an undying desire to impress his commander-in-chief , George Washington . As a result , Greene performed commendably both on the battlefield and through his auxiliary roles .
Greene seemed to hide his inexperience behind a bold , intrepid personality and strong demeanor . He was a student of human nature , which he used not only to mask his weaknesses but also to give him valuable insight into other people . Through his life experiences , his studies of history , and his deliberate attention to human nature and behavior , Greene became so adept in human psychology that it was almost as if he possessed the ability to “ read the thoughts of others as if they had been his own .” He understood the significance of this ability and used it to such a degree that within a few months in command , his voice was listened to with the respect that “ is only accorded to acknowledged superiority .” 25
While Greene ’ s façade was convincing to most , he still experienced resistance , especially within the council of war . Given that Greene would not command in direct combat until the Battle of Trenton at the end of 1776 , it seems early on that , although he made his presence known within the council , he remained somewhat outside the circle of Washington ’ s more seasoned generals . Their seeming lack of faith in his judgment , although arguably warranted , sometimes proved fateful , as it could be argued that the British would not have established themselves so quickly in New York had they taken his advice .
On September 5 , 1776 , Greene suggested that they burn New York City and its suburbs before evacuating it . He understood and openly expressed its indefensibility based on the number of available troops . He knew that the army could not stop a British attack on the region , and should it fall into British hands , they would be gifted a readymade military garrison at the Patriots ’ expense and that if it were lost they would never again regain control of the city . 26 The council disagreed with
Greene ’ s assessment of New York ’ s defensibility and argued against abandoning it , while Congress refused to permit the burning of the city . The council decided to defend the city . At the pressing of Greene , in what could have been perceived as an act of insubordination , a re-vote was requested via a petition on September 11 . A second council was summoned the following day , and the decision was reversed “ with only three dissenting voices ,” but it was too late . With only enough time to evacuate in what was described as a “ miserable and disorderly retreat ,” the British seized New York and its assets on September 15 , when “ Howe landed between Kips ’ s
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