Black patriots who joined the army were treated equally

The U.S. government's treatment of free African Americans as second-class citizens and the enslavement of 90% of the nation's African-Americans is the main dividing line between white and black skin soldiers.

However, the black patriots were usually treated equally with the white army. For the most part, soldiers of color, both African-American and Native American, enjoyed the same benefits as white soldiers, including pay, food, clothing, and equipment. Furthermore, both the black patriots who joined the army and the white soldiers endured hardship together during times of food scarcity and also enjoyed rare periods of bounty.

Only one instance of unfair treatment occurred, and that was when black troops were primarily prohibited from serving in any rank other than a drummer, mercenary, or private. Additionally, during the early years of the war, they occasionally appeared to be given work duties more frequently than white soldiers, but this began to change around the middle years of the battle.

In sum, black patriots who joined the army were treated equally as white soldiers:

• enjoyed the same benefits as white soldiers, including pay, food, clothing, and equipment.
• Black troops primarily served as drummers, mercenaries, or privates but this began to change around the middle years of the war.