A portion of a correspondence of this period is still preserved, which shows how steadily he kept in view the cultivation and expansion of his mind. In 1769 a circumstance took place which caused much excitement, in which Greene took a conspicuous position.
It was the burning of the Gaspee in Providence river. On this occasion Greene’s bold and unequivocal expression of his sentiments drew upon him the suspicions of the royal agents, and it was expected he would have been summoned before the special tribunal convened at Newport to trace out and condemn the destroyers of the Gaspee.
From the exciting events continually occurring around him, Greene became convinced that the hour was not far distant when both parties must bring their differences to the test of the sword, and that nothing less than the sword could settle them. Being satisfied on this point, and determined to share in the contest, he at once commenced qualifying himself for the part he considered it his duty to take. With his usual energy he studied the art of war, and as military history had long been one of his favorite branches, his progress in this new science was both rapid and sure. He soon found himself absorbed in the study of Sharp’s Military Guide, Memoirs of Turenne, Cæsar’s Commentaries and Plutarch, for these were his text books. Every day brought fresh news, and the sound of preparation summoned the farmer from his plough and the mechanic from his workshop. Companies were organising in all parts of the country, and a review of a great number of men already under arms took place at Plainfield, which was witnessed by Greene with much enthusiasm and pleasure. This conduct, so entirely opposed to the rigid doctrines of the broad-brims, gave great displeasure, and he was summoned before some of their leading men appointed for the purpose of remonstrating with him for this open violation of their rules, and to endeavor to bring him back to that peaceful doctrine of his ancestors. He received their remonstrances with respectful silence, but informed them that it was his intention to persevere in the part he had embraced.
This of course caused an immediate expulsion from their society, to which he was never again united.
About this time, another change took place in his domestic situation. During his frequent visits at the house of Governor Greene, a lineal descendant of the founder of the family, he became acquainted with a young lady of the name of Littlefield, a niece of the wife of the Governor; and a few visits consummated the impressions so mutually made at their first interview. It was during his visits to the young lady at her house on Block Island where he indulged so freely his taste for dancing, the more so, perhaps, for having recently thrown off his Quaker’s garb. On the 20th of July, 1774, he was married at the residence of the lady’s father on Block Island, and returned to his home in Coventry to commence the enjoyment of a married life. But he was not suffered long to enjoy the repose of domestic life, the political horizon seemed to grow darker every day, and men were looking around them for the first burst of the tempest which they were assured must soon come. In almost every county or town independent companies were being raised.
One of these was formed at East Greenwich, under the name of the Kentish Guards, and Greene was solicited to become their lieutenant; this however failed, he not being able to obtain a sufficient number of votes, and he enrolled himself as a private in the same company. One of the most serious difficulties which they had to surmount was a proper supply of arms; but Greene (whose decision was prompt and decisive) made a visit to Boston under the pretext of collecting an old debt for his father, in order to look up and procure the necessary accoutrements for the company.
There he beheld for the first time an array of armed men sent from beyond the sea for the subjugation of his native land.
During his visit he was very punctual in his attendance on their morning and evening parades, and carefully noted down every remarkable evolution; at the same time referring to the lessons given in his text book. Little did the British officers, while glittering under their scarlet and gold, dream who was looking on them, or how fatally their lessons would be applied. It so happened that he fell in company with a deserter, whom he at once engaged to return with him to Rhode Island and become drill-master to the guards. This he considered a signal triumph, and having procured all he wished in the way of equipments, and bribed a wagoner to hide both the accoutrements and the new drill-master under the straw of his wagon, made the best of their way to Coventry unharmed.
It was not many weeks after their return, when the news of the first outbreak was announced to them in the battle of Lexington. Not a moment was lost, the drum of the Kentish Guards beat to arms, and they were soon on their march toward Boston. News having reached the Governor that they had left for the seat of war, he sent a peremptory message for their immediate return, and, strange to say, the whole company, with the exception of Greene, his brother, and another, responded to the request and returned to their homes; these three gallant fellows mounted their horses and repaired with all haste toward the scene of action, but before they had completed half their journey they were met with the welcome tidings of the retreat of the British, and the triumph of their countrymen. The first blow being given, retaliation commenced with vigor; delegates were dispatched in all directions, calling for assistance in this trying emergency. The Assembly of Rhode Island voted an army of one thousand six hundred men. The army was to receive its officers from the Assembly; and then it was that Greene’s real position among his colleagues was felt, by the unanimous voice of that body he was raised to the rank of major-general. In a few days his preparations were completed, and in less than one year from the day of his marriage, he entered upon that career in which he was to encounter so many hardships and reap so high a fame. Greene having attained the age of thirty-three, in the month of May, 1775, assumed the command as major-general of the Rhode Island troops to the army of the united colonies. It was well for him that his mind and body had long been trained to habits of laborious exertion, for he soon found himself surrounded with cares and anxieties which no one but a commander of an undisciplined army can understand. His military knowledge, obtained by his studies, was now brought into actual service, and the information gained from the instruction of the deserted drill-master was of immense importance to him. Greene was a man who had made human nature his favorite study, and deep indeed must have been that disguise which could escape his penetrating glance. With these important qualities, he commanded with more than ordinary success, his opinion was always listened to with deference and a preference given to his acknowledged military talents. A gentleman of distinction, who happened to be present at a court-martial upon which he was sitting a few weeks after the battle of Bunker’s Hill, was so struck with the sagacity and pertinence of his remarks, and the commanding dignity of his aspect, that without even knowing his name, pronounced him to be a man of real military genius, and decidedly the ablest member of the court. In entering seriously upon his military duties, Greene had firmly resolved to submit to every sacrifice, and endure every hardship in the fulfillment of them. The zeal and energy with which he applied himself in the discipline of his men, caused his troops to be pronounced, by a member of Washington’s own staff, as the best disciplined men in the service. On the 3d of July, General Washington joined the camp at Boston.
His arrival was hailed with great delight by Greene, who was anxious that the forces of the country should be brought together under one common head. In order to make his sentiments more publicly known, he welcomed him to the army in the name of his troops; and the feelings emanating from such relative positions, led to the formation of that affectionate and confidential intercourse, which ceased only with life. The first duty assigned the commander-in-chief, was to place the army upon the continental establishment, the officers till now, holding their commissions from their respective states, were received into the immediate service of the united colonies.