Life of Nathanael Greene, Major-General in the Army of the Revolution (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1846. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XH. Condition of the Army. -- British Garrison at Ninety-Six. --Besieged by the American Army. -- Particulars of the Siege. -- Lord Rawdon marches to relieve the Garrison. -- Greene retires towards the Catawba River. It was but little more than a month since Greene had marched from the banks of the Deep River, and the object of this daring manoeuvre was already, in a great measure, accomplished. Four of the enemy's posts had fallen in rapid succession, each bringing with it a valuable supply of stores, and swelling the list of prisoners for a general exchange. The only two fortified places, which remained in their hands, were effectually cut off from all communication with Charleston, the seat of their power, and could hardly be expected to withstand the force, which would be speedily brought against them. The zeal of the disaffected had been aroused by the good fortune, which seemed at length about to smile on the republican arms, and the tide of desertion now turned in favor of the Americans. The only army, by which the country could have been held in subjection, had been compelled to abandon the field, and contract its defences to within thirty miles of Charleston. And all this had been accomplished by an army imperfectly disciplined, deficient in arms and ammunition, unprovided with magazines, and deprived of all those external advantages, which contribute so much towards exciting and fostering the pride and martial feelings of the soldier. But notwithstanding the favorable aspect, which Greene's affairs had now assumed, many causes of anxiety still weighed upon his mind, and prevented him from sharing in those feelings of exultation, with which every one around him greeted his success. As commander in the Southern States from Georgia to Maryland, he...