Black Participation in the Civil War

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Prior to the Americans Revolution, there were con�icts between the British and the Revolutionaries, also referred to as the Patriots. Crispus Attucks, a Black man of mixed heritage, is often referred to as the �rst man to die in the American Revolution. A seaman, likely born a slave and a runaway, Attucks was the �rst of �ve men to die in what is commonly called the Boston Massacre. Tradition says (that means there are con�icting accounts) he struck a British soldier over the head with a plank of wood, knocking the man unconscious. The British then opened �re on him and the other men involved in the incident. He was struck twice in the chest with bullets from the British guns. It is interesting to note that John Adams, the 2nd president of the United States, in his defense of the British referred to Attucks by name and said his looks alone were enough to terrify any person.

During the War itself, Blacks were among the militia who fought in many battles. Salem Poor fought bravely in the Battle of Bunker Hill, often given credit for killing a member of the British command. Massachusetts of�cers signed a petition (which was denied) asking George Washington to grant Poor of�cial recognition as a "brave and gallant soldier." Instead, the Continental Army issues an order forbidding the enlistment of Black men.

The British saw an opportunity. Their response was a promise of freedom for any slave who enlisted on their side and served through the entire war, thus recruiting hundreds. Now, that does not sound like a lot, but the numbers worried the Patriots, who quickly rescinded their previous order. Rhode Island in response, recruited an all Black militia, offering freedom to slaves and compensation to their masters. In a letter to George Washington, the Rhode Island governor stated it was impossible to recruit their required numbers any other way.

About 5,000 Blacks served in largely integrated units of the Continental Army. The British recruited about 1,000 men. On both sides, the men worked as �ghting soldiers, scouts, spies, and informers. Some slaves were granted their freedom, as promised; however, many were reenslaved at the conclusion of the War.

During the Seminole Wars (there were 2), African-Americans played an important part, but in that case, �ghting against federal troops. As had been the case historically, African- Americans and Native Americans tended to be allies. Seminole territory had been a place of refuge for runaway slaves, especially from South Carolina and Georgia. Blacks had not only found refuge on Seminole land, but there they inter-married and lived in peace. So when in 1819 the United States purchased Florida and ordered the relocation of the Native Americans and Blacks to Oklahoma, a �ght was on. At

the conclusion of the War, which the United States won, army of�cers sold hundreds of Black Seminoles into slavery.

Black soldiers, as both enemies and allies to the United States, takes a turn by 1820. In the year, the Army issued an order that read, "No Negro or Mulatto will be received as a recruit." And, just in case there was any question as to what was meant, a year later the order added that recruitment was limited to "all free White male persons."

Free Blacks unsuccessfully petitioned their exclusion from militias in many states. William Watkins of Massachusetts stated in regards to the service of Blacks in the Revolutionary War that "their blood �owed freely in

defense of their country, they fought, they bled that we might live as free men...Our fathers were not able-bodied White male citizens, but they were able enough to face British cannon in 1776 and 1812."