History of the Black U.S. Soldier
History of the Black U.S. SoldierThroughout American history, Afro-Americans have had to decide
whether they belonged in the United States or if they should go
elsewhere. Slavery no doubtfully had a great impact upon their
decisions. However, despite their troubles African Americans have made
a grand contribution and a great impact on our armed forces since the
Revolutionary War. The Afro-American has fought against its country's
wars, and they have also fought the war within their country to gain
the right to fight and freedom.
America's first war, its war for independence from Great
Britain was a great accomplishment. This achievement could not have
been performed if not for the black soldiers in the armies. "The first
American to shed blood in the revolution that freed America from
British rule was Crispus Attucks, a Black seaman." (Mullen 9) Attucks
along with four white men were killed in the Boston Massacre of March
5, 1770. Even though Attucks was a fugitive slave running from his
master, he was still willing to fight against England along with other
whites and give the ultimate sacrifice, his life, for freedom. This
wasn't the only incident of Blacks giving it all during the War for
Independence.
From the first battles of Concord and Lexington in 1775, Black
soldiers "took up arms against the mother country." (Mullen 11) Of the
many Black men who fought in those battles, the most famous are Peter
Salem, Cato Stedman, Cuff Whittemore, Cato Wood, Prince Estabrook,
Caesar Ferritt, Samuel Craft, Lemuel Haynes, and Pomp Blackman. One of
the most distinguished heroes o the Battle of Bunker Hill was Peter
Salem who, according to some sources, fired the shot that killed Major
John Pitcairn of the Royal Marines. But Peter Salem wasn't the only
Black hero during the Revolutionary War.
Another Black man, Salem Poor, also made a hero of himself at
Bunker Hill. Because of his bravery at the battle, he was commended by
several officers to the Continental Congress. "Equally gallant at
Bunker Hill were Pomp Fisk, Grant Coope, Charleston Eads, Seymour
Burr, Titus Coburn, Cuff Hayes, and Caesar Dickenson." (Wilson 32) Of
these men, Caesar Brown and Cuff Hayes were killed during the battle.
Even though the Afro-American soldiers clearly distinguished
themselves as soldiers, they were by no means wanted in the army.
"Shortly after General Washington took command of the Army, the white
colonists decided that not only should no Black slaves or freemen be
enlisted, but that those already serving in the Army should be
dismissed." (Mullen 12)
The colonists would probably have kept Blacks out of the
military during the war if not for the proclamation by the Lord of
Dunmore. He stated "I do hereby... declare all... Negroes... free,
that are able and willing to bear arms, they joining...
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