History Of The Black U.S. Soldier

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battle, he was commended by
several officers to the Continental Congress. "Equally gallant at
Bunker Hill were Pomp Fisk, Grant Coope, Charleston Eads, Seymour
Burr, Titus Coburn, Cuff Hayes, and Caesar Dickenson." (Wilson 32) Of
these men, Caesar Brown and Cuff Hayes were killed during the battle.
Even though the Afro-American soldiers clearly distinguished
themselves as soldiers, they were by no means wanted in the army.
"Shortly after General Washington took command of the Army, the white
colonists decided that not only should no Black slaves or freemen be
enlisted, but that those already serving in the Army should be
dismissed." (Mullen 12)

The colonists would probably have kept Blacks out of the
military during the war if not for the proclamation by the Lord of
Dunmore. He stated "I do hereby... declare all... Negroes... free,
that are able and willing to bear arms, they joining his Majesty's
troops, as soon as may be, for the more speedily reducing this colony
to a proper dignity." This meant that any black soldiers willing to
fight for the British would be declared legally free. Therefore, the
Americans couldn't afford to deny Black Americans, free or not, from
joining the army. Less than a month following Lord Dunmore's
proclamation, General George Washington officially reversed his policy
about letting "free Negroes to enlist." (Fowler 21)

"Of the 300,000 soldiers who served in the Continental Army
during the War of Independence, approximately five thousand were
Black. Some volunteered. Others were drafted. In addition to several
all-Black companies, an all-Black regiment was recruited from Rhode
Island. This regiment distinguished itself in the Battle of Rhode
Island on August 29, 1778." (Wilson 22)

Between 1775 to 1781 there weren't any battles without Black
participants. Black soldiers fought for the colonies at Lexington,
Concord, Ticonder...