My inspiring hero for the day is Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War general who rose to greatness despite an unbelievable series of obstacles and setbacks. He was born as the son of a Quaker in Rhode Island and despite the fact that Quakers discouraged literary achievement, he educated himself in math, law, and the Bible.
When the Revolutionary War broke out, he tried to organize a Rhode Island militia but was kicked out for being too fat. Undeterred, he acquired every book on military history that he could get his hands on and taught himself strategy. He got an administrative position in Rhode Island revising militia laws, which he parlayed into a command position over a newly formed militia (after the battles at Lexington and Concord, the situation was considerably more desperate).
His command style makes him possibly the only master in American military history of unconventional warfare. He promoted the burning of New York to prevent the British from using it and his other strategies showed a penchant for sapping British strength rather than engaging them head on. He did not win a single battle as field commander, yet he managed to re-conquer the entire South and corner British forces in Savannah and Chaleston. He was an efficient administrator and had a good eye for talent, finding and promoting some of America’s finest junior officers who would prove skilled at harassing the British and stealing or burning their supplies. His campaign ranks among the most brilliant in our nation’s history.
“We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again.”