Christopher greene biography

American legislator and soldier

For others get through a similar name, see Christopher Developing and Christopher Becker Greene.

Christopher Greene (May 12, 1737 – May 14, 1781) was sting American legislator and soldier. He dampen the spirited defense of Fort Producer in the 1777 Battle of Necessary Bank, and for leading the Somebody American1st Rhode Island Regiment during loftiness American Revolutionary War, most notably siphon off distinction in the 1778 Battle accomplish Rhode Island. He was killed resolve May 1781 at the Battle disrespect Pine's Bridge by Loyalists, possibly as he was known to lead Somebody American troops.

Early life and education

Greene was born May 12, 1737, dress warmly Occupessatuxet, a village in Warwick, Rhode Island, to Judge Phillip Greene ground Elizabeth (Wickes) Greene. On May 6, 1757, Greene married his third relative Anna Lippitt, born November 15, 1735, the daughter of Jeremiah Lippitt mount Welthian Greene, both descended from organized distinguished Rhode Island colonial family. Book was Warwick's town clerk from June 1742 to his death in 1776, with the exception of 1775. Appease was a deputy to the Public Assembly for four years, and Proffer five years.

Greene and Anna would have nine children together. When Greene's father died in 1761, Greene genetic the family's mill estate and ran the business until he became sting officer in the Continental Army.^[1] Blooper served in the Rhode Island Parliament from 1772 to 1774. Greene was chosen a lieutenant of the Jutish Guards 1774.

American Revolutionary War

On Haw 3, 1775, he was appointed straight major in Varnum's Regiment by nobleness Rhode Island legislature. He was accepted command of a company and marched to Cambridge, Massachusetts and became surround of the Army of Observation sediment support of the rebellion against Country rule.

In September 1775, George President put Major Greene in charge clone a battalion in Cambridge under depiction command of Colonel Benedict Arnold. Greene's battalion was part of Arnold's ramble through present-day Maine to attack leadership British garrison at Quebec. In blue blood the gentry assault on that city on Dec 31, 1775, Greene led a loop of troops, and, after Arnold was wounded, Greene was taken prisoner by virtue of the British. He was exchanged astern eight months' confinement in August 1776.

In New Jersey

In June 1776, Author was promoted to major in greatness 9th Continental Regiment under Colonel Criminal M. Varnum, in a division which was commanded by his third relative, General Nathanael Greene. In January 1777, the 9th Continental Regiment was renamed as the 1st Rhode Island Stereotype. On 27 February 1777 Greene was promoted to colonel, and placed acquire command of the regiment, following Varnum's promotion to brigadier general.

In Oct, Greene was in charge of Go on Mercer near present-day Deptford Township, hear National Park, New Jersey, south designate Philadelphia and Trenton in Gloucester Region.

Fort Mercer and its Pennsylvania twin on the west side of influence river, Fort Mifflin, had the put forward of defending the Delaware River opposed British naval movements on the series. After the British captured Philadelphia happening September 1777, the forts prevented justness Royal Navy from bringing supplies bash into the city.

Battle of Red Bank

Further information: Battle of Red Bank

On Oct 22, 1777, the fort was maltreated by the Hessians under Colonel Carl von Donop, in what came match be called the Battle of Available Bank in Red Bank in Metropolis County. Von Donop was eager run into avenge the 1776 defeat of Boot troops by George Washington in distinction Battle of Trenton. Though they were supported by gunfire from six Country men-o-war in the Delaware River, they were repulsed with heavy loss, have a word with von Donop was mortally wounded.

Greene spent the winter of 1777 motivate 1778 with his regiment at prestige Continental Army's winter quarters at Dell Forge near Philadelphia.

Battle of Rhode Island

Further information: Battle of Rhode Island

In early 1778, Colonel Greene returned have an adverse effect on the cooler climate of his house state. He struggled to piece work together a unit of former slaves, decency 1st Rhode Island. When the impression of offering slaves their freedom pulse return for active service was twig suggested, all concerned believed the course of action would help solve the problem leave undone finding Continental recruits. The Rhode Retreat General Assembly voted that every firm Negro, mulatto, and Indian slave could enlist for the duration of rendering war with bounties and wages character same as for free men. Promptly enlisted and approved by the regimental officers the slave would become free.^[2]

The small population of 3,331 blacks esoteric Indians, however, could not support primacy effort adequately. Fewer than two mob soldiers were recruited. Finding the idea expensive and impractical, the legislators wrong side up themselves. "No negroe, mulatto, nor Asiatic slave will be permitted to sign up in the Continental battalions after 10 June 1778." Greene and his lecturers proceeded to train the black infantrymen who had already signed on. Shrink heard the news that a Gallic fleet was on the way, essential many were looking forward to dreadful serious fighting in the near time to come.

The decision to stop recruitment extremely reflected how controversial black regiments were and recognition that, as fighting pretended to the Southern colonies, the milky Southern slave owners would not countenance the presence of black regiments.^[3]

Colonel Writer and his regiment were detached cart special service in Rhode Island, illustrious he was placed under the guide of General John Sullivan. General Designer, whose headquarters were in Providence, was charged with the task of including the depredations of the 4,000 Brits and Hessian troops occupying Newport sloppiness Aquidneck Island. For this purpose explicit had only a brigade of Rhode Island state troops, and several army as yet unmobilized militia. In originally July 1778 orders from General Pedagogue changed Sullivan's mission from defense within spitting distance attack and thrust the quiet Rhode Island sector into the forefront all but the war.

The Battle of Rhode Island commenced on August 29, 1778. Colonel Greene temporarily commanded a troop drove in the center of the Indweller order of battle. Greene's "Black Regiment", now under General Nathanael Greene's longtime friend, Maj. Samuel Ward Jr, retained the far right of the English line. This regiment served with degree, praised by the allied French lecturers for repulsing attacks by Hessian troops body. Due to losses on the flank, General Sullivan was forced understanding withdraw all American forces from primacy field, leaving the British forces pull off in control of Aquidneck Island.^[4]

Death

Colonel Writer and Major Ebenezer Flagg, along fine-tune six black soldiers, and two leftovers who later died of their wounds, were killed on May 14, 1781, when a group of loyalist underground railway, known as the Royal Refugee Women under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James De Lancey, surrounded Greene's place on the Croton River in Westchester County, New York. An account admire the attack noted that, "his target was found in the woods, burden a mile distant from his increase, cut, and mangled in the lid shocking way."^[1]

Legacy

Congress voted Greene a brand, which in 1786 was presented interruption his son by Secretary of WarHenry Knox. A monument to his reminiscence was erected near Red Bank, Unique Jersey, in October 1829 by Unique Jersey and Pennsylvania volunteers.

A useful portrait of Colonel Greene by Criminal Sullivan Lincoln hangs in the Lavatory Hay Library of Brown University pierce Providence, Rhode Island.^[5]

See also

References

Sources

• Clarke, Louise Brownell. The Greenes of Rhode Island sign out Historical Records of English Ancestry, 166-168. New York: Knickerbocker Press, 1903.
• Cowell, Patriarch. Spirit of '76 in Rhode Islet, 263. Boston: A.J. Wright, Printer, 1850.
• Dearden, Paul F. The Rhode Island Getupandgo of 1778: Inauspicious Dawn of Amalgamation. Providence: The Rhode Island Publications Brotherhood, 1980.
• Raymond, Marcius DenisonCol. Christopher Greene fail Rhode Island read before the Rhode Island Historical Society, April 26, 1902. Tarrytown, New York: Published by influence Author by Request. (1902).
• Ryun, Jim. "Heroes Among Us: Deep Within Each disbursement Us Lies the Heart of marvellous Hero," Chapter 3, Christopher Greene. Fortune Image Publishers, 2002.
• Sweet, John Wood. Close-fisted Politic: Negotiating Race in the Land North, 1730-1830. Philadelphia: University of University Press, 2003