Fighting as a Black Slave in the Revolutionary War If I were a black slave fighting in the American War of Independence, I would fight for the colonial rebels, men like George Washington. Even though these colonialists were mostly slave holders, I would view these men as my masters and I would probably feel an allegiance to them in this regard. And even though Washington himself would issue an order in 1775 to recruiters to avoid enrolling negroes, this would not deter me from choosing sides in this conflict, simply because of what I see as my duty in this country. Strictly speaking, I would not see the conflict as one in which I had a dog in the fight, but for the fact that my owner and his people would view the conflict one way or the other, I would view it that way too in order to appear supportive and on board with the master's plans and intentions. Assuming the master went with the colonial rebels, I would go that way too. Plus, I would want to be rewarded for my efforts, and that I know would be more likely to happen from a master like Washington who knew of my service first hand and directly than from a member of the British Empire, which for the most part was more responsible for my being a slave in the first place, as it participated in the slave trade for many years, moving my people from Africa to the Americas. Nonetheless, not being one to hold grudges and being aware of the duties inherent in my role, no matter what the position, I would recognize that I owe fidelity to the man who purchased my life upon my arrival in America. To him I would owe more allegiance than to the British Empire, which seeks only its own good, its own expansion. At least my master feeds me and my family. Why then should I not fight for him if he seeks to fight the British?

I would not be alone in this thinking either. There were many blacks, both free and enslaved, who fought for the colonials in their rebellion against the British Empire. For instance, there was Crispus Attucks and those who served as part of the local militias and fought with the Minutemen in the Revolution. Not only this, but blacks also helped the colonials fight against attacks by Native Americans who were resisting the colonists as they expanded their territories in the North and in the West. So there was some sort of spirit of mission among black slaves and the slave owners, as they felt it to be in both their best interests to fights side by side against various threats, even if the black slaves were slaves and not free men. In some cases, slave owners even freed their black slaves so that they could go fight and serve in the Minutemen, which is what happened with Peter Salem, for instance.

Thus, the movement for freedom for black slaves is not of most...

It may be hard being a slave and being owned by another person, but at the same time there is more real connection with that person and sense of solidarity than there is with the British crown, which at best seems indifferent to plight of all black slaves whereas among some colonials there is a sense of gratitude, which goes both ways in many cases.
Thus, at Bunker Hill when blacks fought together with the colonials, there was the belief among them that they would earn their freedom and more rights as persons by doing this than by fighting against owners who were rebels. Would the British have any affection for them as black slaves or reward them with rights or freedoms? I would know my owner in America and what kind of man he was and whether or not he could be trusted. I would not know the British masters and whether or not they could be trusted. Therefore, I would fight for the defense of those I knew.

I could fight in a number of ways too, by acting as a guide or as a spy or even as a messenger for the colonials, helping those in parts of lands that they were unaccustomed to and show them the way to various spots for better vantage points or act as a courier of messages.

On top of all this, the Continental Army needed men in boots and that is why they made the promise of freedom to any black slaves that were recruited, it was a good way to get them to serve, and I probably would have taken this offer if I had been distrustful of my own master or not liked him much. However, if he had been a decent man to me and my family, then I would have fought for him regardless of whether or not I was freed afterwards, for if he was decent and I had shelter and food, being free might not be as enticing, for then I might not have work or food or shelter. All things being relative, this is what I would consider -- necessity, practicality, where we stood, etc.

Moreover, in wartime there is a desire to serve one's country, and for a black slave, even if he is a slave, his country is still that one in which he lives. So it would not be the British Empire that I would fight for, because I would not live there. I would fight for the Americans because it is there that I live.

Also, the opportunity to serve in a war and to be given a position of significance, whether among the Minutemen or as a pilot of a sailing vessel, is a great honor and a thing I would not want to pass up.

On the other hand, there were men like the Royal governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, who fought for the British Empire and gave liberty to slaves who wanted to fight for His Majesty. This would…