Tag «African American Soldiers»

Battle of Groton Heights and Massacre of Fort Griswold’s Garrison

British volley.

Also known as the Battle of Fort Griswold, the last major engagement of the American Revolution in the north was on September 6th, 1781, between mostly Connecticut militia under Colonel William Ledyard and professional soldiers and loyalists under the command of turncoat British Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. After a courageous defense of Fort Griswold, which …

Black Hessians: German Troops Enlisted Former African American Slaves in the American Revolution

Champer Ederson was an African American soldier from Rhode Island.  In January 1779, during the American Revolution, he enlisted in the Fifth Company of the Hessian Knyphausen Regiment, serving as a drummer.  When the British and Hessian troops abandoned Rhode Island in October, 1779, he sailed with them to New York City.  He would not …

African American Soldiers in the American Revolution – A Brief History

Black soldier.

By Harry Schenawolf, author of the Shades of Liberty Series about African American soldiers in the American Revolution. We all have seen the pictures and portrayals of Continental soldiers struggling with disease and malnutrition during the severe winter at Valley Forge – sacrificing all for liberty. And always, it is a white army that gazes …

African American Boyrereau Brinch’s Breathtaking Battle with British Dragoons

Boyrereau Brinch, also known as Jeffrey Brace, left an account of his experiences and exploits as a light infantryman in General George Washington’s army. In this incredible excerpt of his memoirs, Brinch was confronted by a British Dragoon or horse-soldier. A desperate hand to hand struggle ensued in which he parleyed saber strokes with the …

Black Patriots in the Continental Army

Josiah Book 1     &     Josiah’s Mettle Book 2         Shades of Liiberty is a new action and adventure historical fiction series that chronicles African Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War. Josiah is a blacksmith and runaway slave from Newport, Rhode Island. He, along with other escaped slaves, Scipio and Jeb, forged their marks to …

Crispus Attucks – First to Fall for Liberty

O, not in vain did Attucks fall, Or Shaw sink on the death-swept wall: We, who have trod the thorny path, And shrank beneath th’ opressor’s wrath, On hill, in dale, on field and flood, They sealed it with there martyr blood! From Centennial Year by Elijah W. Smith Boston, the fifth of March, 1770. …