Nathanael Greene
When Congress recalled Horatio Gates, Washington gave the command to Nathanael Greene, a Quaker and former blacksmith and probably the ablest of all the American generals of the time next to Washington himself. Once he arrived at the battle against Cornwallis, he confused Cornwallis by dividing the American forces into small contingents and refraining from a showdown in open battle. After receiving reinforcements, Greene maneuvered to meet the British at Guilford Court House, North Carolina. Greene soon withdrew from the field, but Cornwallis lost so many men that he decided to abandon the campaign.