Black Patriots served in the Continental Army
Patriotic leaders started recruiting free people of color to join the Continental Army in New England and other East Coast regions after the British recruited African-Americans to serve and support the cause in exchange for emancipation. In while, slaves in the North of the United States were attempting to flee the severe treatment they were receiving under American slavery. They so assumed that by enlisting, they would have a relatively lavish and social life, and thought that doing so would make their lives better. As a result, black patriots soldiers started participating as individuals in the Continental Army's several mostly white battalions.
The 1st Rhode Island Unit, commonly referred to as "Varnum's Continentals", was a Rhode Island-based Continental Army regiment. Because for a while it had many companies of African-American soldiers, it was referred to as the "Black Regiment". Although it did not just have African Americans in its ranks, it is also regarded as the first African American military unit.
From October 1780 to November 1782, the 2nd Company of the Connecticut Continental Line's All Black, commanded by Captain David Humphreys, served in the Continental Army. Humphrey's Black Company then joined the command of the 3rd Connecticut Regiment on November 27, 1780. On January 1, 1781, this regiment and the 4th Connecticut regiment were merged into one and collectively known as the 1st Connecticut Regiment.
In short, one of the Facts about Black Patriots is that they served in the Continental Army in the American Revolution:
- After the British recruited African-Americans to serve and support the cause in exchange for liberation.
- They thought that by enlisting, they would have a better life.
- "Black Regiment" was also considered the first African-American military unit.
