African Americans and Slaves During The Revolutionary War

Facts You May Not Have Known… Nearly 1/2 million African Americans were slaves The entire Population was only a little over 2 million people At lest 12 African-Americans were among those who stood on the green at Lexington and Concord in 1775 5,000 African Americans served in the Revolutionary War that was 1/16 of the total Continental Army!

Without them we might have lost the war. At first, George Washington didn’t let slaves into the army. He changed his mind when he heard that thousands of slaves had joined the British. Washington also didn’t have enough soldiers.  He changed his rule and by 1778 there were 54 African Americans in each of his 54 brigades...

Crispus Attucks & The Boston Massacre Crispus Attucks was one of the first men to die for American freedom in the Boston Massacre.

James Armistead Armistead, was a spy for the rebels. The British thought he just his slave, and he was able to overhear important facts which he brought back to the Continental army.

James Forten James Forten was a freeman. He worked as a sailor and was captured by the British and was held as a prisoner of war. The captain of the British ship offered to send James to England for an education with his own son.  Forten refused to be a traitor to his country. The captain then traded him for a British prisoner.

Phillis Wheatley Phillis Wheatley was born in Africa and brought to Boston in 1761. The Wheatleys (the family that owned her), allowed Phillis time to study and write.  As early as 1765, she was writing poetry. Her last known poem was written for George Washington. It praised the general for his appointment to be Commander of the Continental Army.

Lemuel Haynes Lemuel Haynes was a minister and served a white church. In 1774, Haynes became a soldier.  He wrote a famous sermon about the Battle of Lexington.

Pompey Lamb The Battle of Stony Point might have been lost without the help of Pompey Lamb. He delivered fruits and vegetables to the British. The British trusted Lamb and gave him the password to make his deliveries easier. He brought two American officers dressed as farmers on his delivery. They quickly overpowered the guards and were joined by the rest of the army.  The battle ended quickly with the Americans taking the fort.

Your Task… 1. Pretend you are an African American or slave during the time of the Revolutionary War. You want to be able to fight for the country and be a respected soldier like anyone else. 2. Write a letter to George Washington explaining why you think he should allow you to fight in the war against the British. Your letter should have: a greeting a statement of what you would like from him (3) reasons why he should allow you to fight in the war a closing with your signature