04-R 265

2004 -- H 8545

Enacted 05/18/04

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 19, 2004 AS THE FIRST "NATHANAEL GREENE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Giannini, Watson, and Costantino

Date Introduced: May 18, 2004

     WHEREAS, Nathanael Greene Middle School of Providence, Rhode Island recognizes

the historical contributions of Revolutionary War patriot, soldier, and leader Major General

Nathanael Greene; and

     WHEREAS, Nathanael Greene, in 1774, enlisted in the then newly founded Kentish

Guards Militia, and would then be the Commander of the Rhode Island Brigade at the Siege of

Boston; and

     WHEREAS, Under the command of George Washington, Nathanael took part in several

battles, including the crossing of the Delaware and the surprise victory of Washington’s over the

Hessians in Trenton, New Jersey as well as in the better remembered battles of Brandywine and

Princeton; and

     WHEREAS, In 1778, after becoming Quartermaster General, and finding that department

in such disarray, Nathanael revamped the whole department and set up a post that extensively

supplied the new American Army with food, clothing, equipment, and transportation; and

     WHEREAS, After suffering through great losses in Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston,

South Carolina, Nathanael Greene restored the very dispersed units into a great fighting force. In

the midst of this he was named Commander of the Southern Department; and

     WHEREAS, Nathanael invoked tactics of “guerrilla warfare” in order to extend the

supply lines and exploit the vulnerability of Cornwallis’ forces; and

     WHEREAS, After demonstrating great leadership and successfully driving the Red Coats

from Georgia to the Carolinas, in the Battle of Guilford Court-House, which led to Cornwallis

surrendering to him in Yorktown, Nathanael was called “The General Who Saved the South”;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 19, 2004, as the first “Nathanael Greene Day” in

the state of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Nathanael Greene Middle School.

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LC03434

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