African Americans in the War for Independence

¶ … Black Soldier During the American War for Independence Many Americans today are aware of the military service of blacks during the First and Second World Wars, and some are even aware of the major contributions of these troops to the Union's victory in the Civil War. Far fewer modern Americans, though, are aware of the contribution of black soldiers during America's War for Independence.

In fact, by war's end in 1783, fully five thousand black soldiers would serve in the military for a country that otherwise held them and their compatriots in slavery and contempt. This paper reviews the literature to determine the role of the black soldier during the American War for Independence, followed by a summary of the research and important findings concerning their role in the conclusion.

Review and Discussion Although they were at a clear disadvantage economically, politically and socially, many black men recognized the need for their service during the American War for Independence out of a sense of patriotism to their fledgling nation and took up arms against the British. For instance, the editors of The New Crisis report that, "Once the colonies decided to rebel against the oppressive rule of England, many black men joined the militia.

They appeared in the handsome uniform of the Colonial forces and their names were officially entered on the muster roles" (African-American Patriots of the Revolutionary War 24). The fact that thousands of black soldiers felt compelled to serve during the American War for Independence was all the more remarkable given the prevailing views about African-Americans during this period in American history and the fact that they were prohibited from serving in the military for the first few years of the war.

For instance, according to Loewen, "Certainly most white Americans in the 1770s were racist" (141). The service by black soldiers during the Revolutionary War, though, helped to change the prevailing views about African-Americans in the minds of some Americans. In this regard, Loewen adds that, "Race relations were in flux, however, due to the Revolutionary War and to its underlying ideology about the rights of mankind that Jefferson, among others, did so much to spread" (141).

Notwithstanding their marginalized condition in mainstream American society, about one in twenty of the troops that served during the Revolutionary War were black and it is likely that their numbers would have been even higher had the U.S. government allowed their enlistment prior to 1778, fully 3 years after the war had started. For example, Ferling reports that, "Beginning in 1778, the New England states, and eventually all Northern states, enlisted African-Americans, a practice that Congress had initially forbidden.

Ultimately, some 5,000 blacks bore arms for the United States, approximately 5% of the total number of men who served in the Continental Army" (37). Although the historical record is silent concerning the contributions of many black soldiers during the Revolutionary War, what is known for certain is that these troops performed well in combat and were widely recognized at the time for their courage on the battlefield. For instance, Ferling points out that, "The African-American soldiers made an important contribution to America's ultimate victory.

In 1781, Baron Ludwig von Closen, a veteran officer in the French Army, remarked that the "best [regiment] under arms" in the Continental Army was one in which 75% of the soldiers were African-Americans (37). Likewise, Loewen confirms the number of black soldiers that served during the American War for Independence, but suggests that like their white counterparts, some served more admirably than others.

In this regard, Loewen writes, "Five thousand black soldiers fought alongside whites in the Continental Army 'with courage and skill.' In reality, of course, some fought with courage and skill like some white recruits, and some failed to fire their guns and ran off, like some white recruits" (141). In what would become a presage of the U.S. Civil War, the military service of five thousand black troops could not be balanced with the warped racist views of blacks.