Blacks in the Revolutionary War: Some known, most not

But they seldom are taught that blacks, too, conducted themselves with valor on the various battlefields. Granted, as slavery was still legal in all 13 colonies at the time, the slaves that enlisted were generally seeking personal freedom as a reward for their service.

But other volunteers, freed by birth or by their masters’ manumission, believed sincerely in the patriot cause.

Unfortunately, the names of most of the blacks who struggled alongside their white countrymen have been lost to posterity. As one historian phrased it, “Thousands of them marched, sailed, spied, piloted, scouted. But as the typical Negro soldier was a private, consigned to the rank and file, he tended to lack identity.”

Fortunately, fragmentary evidence proves how courageously blacks fought; and some of these patriots are known by name.

When patriots gathered at Lexington and Concord in April of 1775, for example, black Minutemen were among them. One was Prince Easterbrooks, who was one of the first to fire, and who was wounded in the action.

He would subsequently serve in almost every campaign in the war, and would be wounded again. At least eight other blacks were listed on the rolls as having engaged in that skirmish.

Two months later at Bunker Hill, among the black defenders were Cuff Whitemore, Peter Salem, and Salem Poor. According to one chronicler of the event, “Whitemore fought bravely in the redoubt, took a ball through his hat, and fought to the last moment.”

Whitemore served faithfully through the war, “with many hair-breadth escapes from pestilence and sword.“

Peter Salem, in turn, became the best known black in that action, as he was later depicted in the midst of the mayhem by painter John Trumbull.

And as for Salem Poor, his courage under fire was so exemplary as to prompt fourteen white officers to jointly submit a petition on his behalf, recommending that the Continental Congress bestow freedom upon Salem, “the Reward due to so great and Distinguisht a Caracter.”

In the disastrous battle at Cowpens, when Colonel William Washington, George’s cousin, was about to be cut down by a British foe, an intrepid black orderly fired a pistol, saving Washington’s life.

That black, Oliver Cromwell, saw nearly seven years of service with the Second New Jersey Regiment. He fought at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Yorktown, where he “knocked the British about lively.”

The slave, George Latchom, during a military retreat, kept up his firing until the rearguard were compelled to fall back. And when his colonel, John Cropper, became mired in the marsh, Latchom dragged him out and carried him on his back to safety.

Artilleryman Edward Hector at Brandywine was in charge of an ammunition wagon. When the Continentals were obliged to retreat, the order was given to abandon all wagons. Hector shouted, They shall not have mine!”

He then calmly gathered up stands of arms left behind, and safely rejoined his compatriots, wagon, team and all.

Near New London, Connecticut, one Lambert Latham, without benefit of enlisting in the army, came to help when the Continentals’ garrison was assaulted by the British.

Helping to defend the little fortification, Latham kept firing, even though severely wounded. After the defenders were overwhelmed, the British officer killed the patriot commander, who was in the act of surrendering. To avenge that dastardly act, Latham grabbed a bayonet and mortally wounded the Redcoat officer. Then he himself was immediately slain.

Jack Sisson played an important part in the capture of a British major general in Rhode Island. Rowing a bateau with muffled oars in the dark of night, Sisson and his fellows crossed a river, floated past a British fort, overpowered the sentinel, and made the general a prisoner.

Saul Matthews was a slave who proved himself useful in the Yorktown campaign. At the risk of his life, he sneaked into the British sector and brought back military secrets of great value.

At sea, two slaves known only as Harry and Cupid were aboard the armed schooner “Liberty” in the navy of Virginia, which fought twenty sharp engagements during the war.

Its captain, James Barron reported that Harry was “distinguished for his zeal and daring, “while Cupid “stood forth on all occasions as the champion of liberty.”

James Forten, a black born free in Philadelphia, served aboard the patriot vessel, “Amphyon.” He was eventually captured by the British, who offered him a chance to be raised by one of their aristocrats. “No, No!” Forten replied, “I am a prisoner for the liberties of my country, and shall never prove a traitor to her interests.”

Forten was promptly thrown into the hellish hold of a prison ship, where he languished for seven months.

In terms of blacks fighting in large numbers, the famous Black Regiment of Rhode Island was organized because that colony was unable to supply its quota of white troops n and because the blacks wanted to fight for their own freedom.

The test of combat came all too soon when the Black Regiment confronted a powerful force of British troops near Newport. In one of their hottest confrontations, the British experienced a much more obstinate resistance than they had expected.

Members of the Black Regiment continued in action, proving their courage at Red Bank, Points Bridge, and, finally, Yorktown.

Kindred meritorious service was performed by a Massachusetts company calling themselves “Bucks of America.” At the close of the war John Hancock presented the company a banner as a tribute to their bravery through the struggle.

Unfortunately, the names of those heroes are lost to history. All that remains is their banner.

After the war ended, in regard to blacks’ pursuit of liberty, the lofty sentiments of the Declaration on Independence availed naught; indeed, most slave volunteers were returned to bondage.

Sadly, while blacks had helped win freedom for whites, it would require another 82 years n and a much bloodier war n for blacks to win their own.

Hal Malehorn portrays Alfred Balch at Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site.