Overview
During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Army had sixty-four brigadier generals, of which twenty were promoted to major general. Eleven of the brigadiers died in combat or from an illness during the war, and the British captured nine of them.
Some of the most notable brigadier generals included Nathanael Greene, who was known for his strategic vision and his successful campaign in the Southern theater; Benedict Arnold, who initially fought for the American cause but later defected to the British side; Anthony Wayne, who was a skilled tactician and played a key role in the capture of Stony Point; Daniel Morgan, who was known for his unconventional tactics and his success in the Battle of Cowpens; and Horatio Gates, who was a controversial figure but who played a key role in the victory at Saratoga. Other notable brigadier generals included John Sullivan, who led the successful campaign against the Iroquois Confederacy; William Smallwood, who fought in several key engagements in the mid-Atlantic region; and Lachlan McIntosh, who played a role in the defense of Charleston and the Southern theater. Overall, the brigadier generals of the Continental Army were a diverse group of leaders who contributed to the eventual American victory in many different ways.
Researching the American Revolution 