Bucks of America
By
John C Abercrombie
During the American Revolutionary war, there were discussions about the use of Black troops either slave or free. There was a contingent of people who feared the use of armed Blacks in any capacity, while others were familiar with many Black troops who had served in state militia with distinction.
Most states allowed free men to join the militia and Black men redily joined. They were faithful to the duties and many advanced in rank. Those who opposed the use of armed Black militia, more than likely based their fear on the way they would react if they had had to live under the conditions of a slave.
At the start of the War, Washington did not support recruitment of Blacks but allowed those already established in state militia to continue to serve. However, the British were able to recruit Blacks with the promise of freedom after the war.
The fact that Blacks were more than willing to join the British because of the promise of freedom caused Washington to reverse his order and actively recruit Black troops. This action proved indispensable in America winning the Revolutionary War. Some of the units remained segregated. Some units had all Black components.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey had large numbers of Black troops. 1st Rhode Island is one of the better known of the Black units.
Some slave owners sent Black troops to fight and received the pay that the troops normally would have received. Some sent Blacks in place of themselves.
Regardless of the reason they were in the war, many Blacks distinguished themselves and their units.
Information about these Black troops is not widely known because not much is written in most school books used to teach our history. Research will reveal a treasure trove of information about these unsung heroes.
There was great diversity of the Battle of Bunker Hill. “Bucks of America” an all-black troop were awarded a banner by John George Washington Hancock along with his father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock.
We need your support! Below the informative videos (located below) are clickable links to books. Please use these links to check out valuable resources. You can review samples of the books, or in the case of those on audible, listen to a sample. Books are great gifts!
If you shop Amazon, please use these links to get there. it helps us continue to provide you with great content on http://amazingblackhistory.com/ (we receive a small rebate from your order without any cost to you) . Please share our site and this information.
Thank you!
John C Abercrombie
Amazing Black History
The Bucks of America – flag presented to the all-Black troops in the American Revolutionary War
http://www.masshist.org/database/viewer.php?item_id=788
Bucks of America
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucks_of_America
All Black Regiment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Rhode_Island_Regiment
There are a limited number of books on this topic. The book below is one of those available. We are continually on the look out for other sources and will update as they are discovered.
ABH – Black Heroes of the American Revolution
The following book is a general overlook at some of the Black soldiers who fought in the American Revolutionary War and not a specific look at the 1st Rhode Island unit.
ABH – Black Heroes of the American Revolution
The following book was written by William Cooper Nell, a nineteenth century abolitionist, wished to reexamine our understanding of this famous war and highlight to the world the black soldiers who fought and died for the cause of American Independence.
This book was first published in 1855 and contains a forward by Harriet Beecher Stowe
**
African American Patriots in the American Revolution
Standing in Their Own Light: African American Patriots in the American Revolution (Campaigns and Commanders Series)
ABH – Standing in their own LIght
**
While the above books are not available on Audible, it is an awesome program. You can get two free books by using the following link. This is an excellent opportunity to have entertainment and education at your fingertips. Use on your phone, talet, or even computer. Switch without hassle.
One of the greatest opportunities around. Kindle allows you to have an entire library with you at all times. Have access to hundreds of books on your device and millions available. Make notes on the books and search your entire library. Have difficulty with a word? Touch it and see the dictionary bring up the definition. A tremendous tool at your disposal.
**
Thank you for using our links and sharing the site and posts