This Day In Founding Fathers History – 14 October 2013

This Day In Founding Fathers History – 14 October 2013

On this day in 1780, Gen. Nathanael Greene, Washington’s most able and trusted general, is named as the new commander of the Southern Army, replacing Gen. Gates.

Greene then begins a strategy of rallying popular support and wearing down the British by leading Gen. Cornwallis on a six month chase through the back woods of South Carolina into North Carolina into Virginia then back into North Carolina. The British, low on supplies, are forced to steal from any Americans they encounter, thus enraging them. ₁

One notable birthday on this day in 1734, that of Francis “Frank” Lightfoot Lee of Virginia. Lee served in the House of Burgesses and later the Second Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence. Frank, as his close friends knew him, was close with Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, although “he preferred library discussions and back-room strategy to the limelight of public debate.” Lee preferred spending time with his family, enjoying a quiet country life, although he felt a great sense of conviction and duty, leading him to serve in a political capacity throughout his life. ₂

_{1 “An Unlikely Victory,” The History Place American Revolution, www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/revwar-77.htm
2 “Francis Lightfoot Lee,” Stratford Hall, www.stratfordhall.org/meet-the-lee-family/francis-lightfoot-lee-1734-1797/; “Francis Lightfoot Lee,” colonialhall.com/leefl/leefl.php}

AbbyMcGinnis

See Full Bio