The number of Black Patriots serving in the military is immense

Although it is generally acknowledged that there were about 5,000 black sailors and soldiers fighting for freedom, it is difficult to determine the exact number.

The number of black troops in General George Washington's main army's fifteen brigades was tallied on August 24, 1778, upon the return of black patriots to the army. As a result, there were about 800 African-Americans among the almost 21,000 ranks (corporal and private) of the army, in addition to drummers and hunters. Although the regiments from Rhode Island, New Jersey, South Carolina, or Georgia are not included in this document, it does give a general picture of the number of black patriots at a specific period and location. 4 percent of all soldiers may have been black, according to some estimates.

A quarter of Washington's army was black, upbeat, self-assured, and robust, according to a July 1781 report by Baron Ludwig von Closen on the Continental Army at White Plains, New York. 1,050 Black troops made up about 25% of the 4,200 total soldiers in all of New England's regiments. However, based on the number of units that were returned, it is estimated that black patriots made up 29% of the force of the New England regiment (which means 75% of the Rhode Island regiment). This is due to the probable increase in the number of Black soldiers in the years following the war.

In sum, the number of black patriots serving in the military is immense:

• According to statistics in 1778, about 800 African-Americans were among the almost 21,000 ranks of the army.
• Baron Ludwig von Closen's 1781 report on the Continental Army at White Plains, New York, 1,050 Negroes made up about 25% of the 4,200 men in the New England regiment.
• However, based on the number of units returned, black patriots made up 29% of the New England regiment's force due to the increase in troop numbers after the war.