Haitians Fought in the American Revolution
There has been a great deal of negative news recently about immigrants. However, what most people miss is the fact that immigrants from various countries have contributed in positive ways to our country. As we get closer to the July 4th holiday, the role of Haitians should be recognized in the struggle for this country to become free of British rule. It may surprise some, but Haitian fighters fought alongside the white colonists in the American Revolution.
There is a Haitian Memorial Monument honoring Haitians who fought in this war in Savannah, Georgia. They fought in a battle known as the Siege of Savannah, on October 9, 1779. According to the Savannah News, the bronze soldiers on this monument represent the service and sacrifice of the Haitian Unit that fought in the siege. The hatless drummer boy is the 12 year old future King of Haiti, Henri Christophe.
The sculptor of this monument was James Mastin of Miami, Florida. There were two unveilings. The first one showed only four statues. But due to a single donor, the second one was unveiled in 2009 with six statues. The location of the Haitian Memorial is in Franklin Square in Savannah, Georgia. The Haitian Unit was known as the Chasseurs-Volontaires. The Savannah Morning News reported that it was the largest unit of soldiers of African descent in the American Revolution. There was a second unit of Haitians that fought in Pensacola, Florida in 1780.
As we observe the July 4th holiday let’s remember the service of the Haitians. Let’s also remember the names of Black soldiers from the U.S. who made sacrifices to help America become a free nation. School textbooks often do not include their history. The first person to die in the American Revolution was a Black man named Crispus Attucks. He stood in front of a mob of angry colonists and confronted a small contingent of British soldiers. He was the first to be shot down.
Crispus Attucks became a martyr for the Patriot cause. The date was March 5, 1770. He was taken to a place called Faneuil Hall along with the others who were killed that day. Thousands of mourners came to pay their respects. The anniversary of the massacre was observed in Boston every year until the 1840’s. There is a monument in Boston erected in honor of Crispus Attucks and the four men who died with him. This columnist along with my late husband visited the monument many years ago.
The following are some of the other Black men who fought in the American Revolution: Barzillai Lew, Cuff Whittemore, Pomp Fisk, Titus Colburn, Caesar Weatherbee, Seymour Burr, Grant Cooper, Charlestown Ead, Sampson Talbert, Caesar Basom, and Salem Poor. James Armistead was a spy for the Americans. James Robinson received a gold medal for his bravery. Blacks also served as Minutemen during the war. They were called Minutemen because they could be ready to fight in a “minute.” It also has to be noted that at first Blacks were not accepted in the war. But when manpower began to dwindle, they were accepted. During your July 4th celebrations, I hope you will take the time to read this article to your friends and family. Don’t forget the sacrifice of these brave Black men to this country’s freedom!!