The Saber and Scroll
out of necessity , oftentimes based solely on socioeconomic status rather than previous military accomplishments . As such , the learning curve was steep , as the unprepared bands of loosely organized militias assembled in 1775 . 1
Among these inexperienced leaders was Nathanael Greene , a man with little formal schooling and extremely limited professional military training ; however , what he lacked in terms of experience , he made up for in prescience , determination , an ability to bring concepts to fruition , and synthesizing these concepts into broader strategies . These are but a few of the qualities Greene possessed that eventually found him as Washington ’ s “ favorite officer .” 2
Nothing from Nathanael Greene ’ s upbringing would have suggested his ascendency into military leadership . Born into the Society of Friends , Greene was confined to the strict tenets of Quakerism that not only included pacifism but also viewed an education outside of religious texts ; Quaker-approved books ; and basic reading , writing , and arithmetic as a “ worldly luxury ” that only paved the way for “ temptation , heresy , and other sins .” 3 Therefore , the young Greene received only a basic education while being raised to appreciate labor and business per the demands of his inherited faith and his father ’ s business ventures . Nonetheless , Greene developed an insatiable thirst for a liberal education that he religiously quenched once he was given the gifts of time and space . In 1770 , when he took over his father ’ s forge in Coventry , Rhode Island , 10 miles east of the family homestead , he was provided that opportunity .
Early on , Greene read whatever books he could acquire . However , around 1760 , he befriended educated minds who introduced him to the vast expanse of secular education . Greene befriended future president of Yale University , Reverend Ezra Stiles , and a man only known as “ Giles ,” who played significant roles in expanding his educational endeavors . 4 On their recommendations , Greene ’ s independent studies included the histories , mathematics , sciences , philosophy , and a multitude of other subjects his religious upbringing had previously denied him . Using his blacksmithing abilities and spare resources from the forge , Greene crafted souvenirs to sell in Boston to fund his educational endeavor .
Circumstances brought new focuses for Greene as he began using his desire for knowledge , not only for general interest , but also for deliberate self-development . He began studying law , which paid dividends when his father ’ s businesses required legal representation . He immersed himself not only in law books , but also observed legal proceedings that provided him a significant foundation in the law . Although he never intended on pursuing law as a profession , he believed that an understanding of the legal system was important for him to be a “ useful or conspicuous citizen .” 5
Greene entered politics as a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1770 . His ascent to politics together with his affection for the anti-British writings of his favorite author , Jonathan Swift , accusations of involvement in the Gaspée affair in 1772 ,
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