THEY WERE GOOD SOLDIERS: African-Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783

1-226500

The role of African-Americans, most free but some enslaved, in the regiments of the Continental Army is not well-known; neither is the fact that relatively large numbers served in southern regiments and that the greatest number served alongside their white comrades in integrated units. Includes 8 pages of color plates, 14 b/w illustrations, 5 tables, and one map.

Discusses the inclusion and treatment of black Americans by the various Crown forces (particularly British and Loyalist commanders, and military units), then moves into an overview of black soldiers in the Continental Army, before examining their service state by state.

Each state chapter looks first at the Continental regiments in that state's contingent throughout the war, and then adds interesting black soldiers' pension narratives or portions thereof. The premise is to introduce the reader to the men's wartime duties and experiences. Concludes with examination of veterans' postwar fortunes in a changing society and the effect of increasing racial bias in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.