Remember the Black Revolutionary War Heroes On the Fourth of July
People across the nation are preparing cookouts, parties, parades, and fireworks. However, very few will know that Black men fought and died in the Revolutionary War. There were over 5,000 Blacks who served in the war; the majority of them were former slaves and some were free men. They fought with the hope that at the end of the war they would have the opportunity for freedom and justice. However, for the great majority this was a dream that did not come true. The first per son to die in the historic Boston Massacre was a Black man named Crispus Attucks. A monument was erected in his honor, along with other men who also died on March 5, 1770. His body lay in state in Boston as people came to pay their respects.
When the war first started, General George Washington issued an order forbidding the recruitment of Black men. A month later in December 1775, the order was reversed, and Blacks were allowed to serve in the war. As we celebrate the 4th of July let’s remember the following Black Revolutionary War heroes. Here are a few names:
William Appleby, a recruit in Colonel Thomas Ewing’s Battalion.
Stephen Bond, born a slave. He served in the 7th Massachusetts Infantry and fought at Bunker Hill.
Samuel Charlton was a slave who fought in several places in New Jersey.
Caesar Clark was present at the battles of Germantown. He was also present at Valley Forge during the winter in 1777-1778.
Oliver Cromwell was present at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Mon mouth, and Yorktown. He also crossed Delaware with George Washington.
Prince Easter Brooks was wounded during the battle of Lexington. He was named in the Salem Gazette on April 21, 1775.
Tobias Gilmore was an African Prince prior to being sold into slavery. His name was changed from Shilbogee Turry when he was sold. He was in the war of 1776 and served as one of General Washington’s bodyguards.
The names of other Blacks who fought in the Revolutionary War include Call Freeman, Artillo Free man, Peter Galloway, James Armistead (who was a spy for the Americans), Cato, and Prince Hall (who was one of this country’s first Masons enlisted in the militia during the war). There were also Black women involved: Phillis Wheatley (who was the first published poet in the country). She was known as the Revolutionary War poet who wrote about the war and freedom. Let’s not forget our History as this country seeks to ban books, museums, artifacts and other materi als that celebrate the contributions of African Americans!!