July 31, 2010

As promised: African American Soldiers in the Revolutionary War

In 1770, Crispus Attucks, an escaped slave, became the first man to die in the American Revolution. 20 years earlier, William Brown had offered a reward for his capture and described him as a mulatto, about 27 years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall, with short curled hair, and being knock-kneed.

African Americans fought at Lexington and Concord in April of 1775 and again at Bunker Hill in June. These were non-segregated units, but in July of 1775 when George Washington, one of the largest Virginia slave holders assumed command of the forces, he prohibited further African American enlistment.

4 months later, in November of 1775, Lord Dunmore of Great Britain issued a proclamation offering freedom to any slaves willing to escape from their colonial owners. 6 weeks later George Washington rescinded his order banning African American enlistment and it is estimated that between 4,000 and 6,000 African Americans served in the Revolutionary Army, mostly in integrated units.
After the British surrender, about 14,000 African Americans returned with the British army to England. It is estimated that 100,000 African Americans used the confusion of the war to escape slavery and seek freedom elsewhere.

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