African American Soldiers in the Continental Army

Summary

The script highlights the overlooked contributions of African-Americans, both free and enslaved, in the American War of Independence. An estimated 5,000 African-Americans served in the Continental Army, with thousands more in local militias. The story mentions two notable documents: one from Connecticut listing African-American soldier Plymouth Negro, who served from 1777 to 1783, and another from Massachusetts, recording six African-American soldiers in an integrated regiment. These soldiers fought alongside European, American-born, and Native American recruits, marking one of the last instances of an integrated U.S. Army until the 20th century.

Takeaways

• 📜 African Americans, both free and enslaved, played a significant role in the American War of Independence.
• 📅 Documents from the war years help to document the service of African American soldiers in the Continental Army.
• 👥 It's estimated that over 5,000 African Americans served in the Continental Army, with thousands more in state and local militias.
• 🏠 One document from Connecticut lists Plymouth Negro, a soldier who allocated a portion of his military pay to support his family.
• 🗓️ Plymouth Negro enlisted in 1777 and served until the end of the war in 1783, showing a long-term commitment.
• 📝 Another document from 1782 describes six African American soldiers in the 7th Massachusetts Regiment.
• 👤 One of these soldiers, Jez Jolly, was 21 years old, 5'4", and enlisted for the duration of the war from Barnstable, Massachusetts.
• 🎖️ African American soldiers in the Continental Army served alongside European Americans and American Indians in integrated regiments.
• ⚔️ These integrated units were a unique feature of the Continental Army, not seen again in the U.S. military until the 20th century.
• 📚 The documents reveal lesser-known aspects of African American contributions to the victory in the War of Independence.

Q & A

What role did African-Americans play in the American War of Independence?

African-Americans, both free and enslaved, played a significant role in the American War of Independence by serving in the Continental Army and local militias.

How many African-Americans are estimated to have served in the Continental Army during the war?

It is estimated that more than 5,000 African-Americans served in the Continental Army, with thousands more serving in state and local militias.

What information is provided about the African-American soldier Plymouth Negro?

Plymouth Negro enlisted in a Connecticut regiment in 1777 and served until the end of the war in 1783. He had a portion of his military pay held back to support his family, receiving nine shillings monthly for that purpose.

What does the document from the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment reveal about African-American soldiers?

The document reveals that six African-American soldiers, including Jez Jolly, served in the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, highlighting their presence in integrated regiments alongside white and Native American soldiers.

What physical details are recorded about Jez Jolly in the document?

Jez Jolly is listed as 21 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall, from Barnstable, Massachusetts, with black hair and a 'negro complexion.' He enlisted for the duration of the war in December 1779.

What was unique about the regiments in which African-Americans served during the Revolutionary War?

The regiments were integrated, with African-Americans serving alongside European-Americans and Native Americans. This was the last time American military units would be integrated until the 20th century.

Why are these historical documents important for understanding African-American contributions to the war?

These documents provide concrete evidence of African-American participation in the war, shedding light on their military service, which is often underrepresented in history.

How long did Plymouth Negro serve in the Continental Army?

Plymouth Negro served from 1777 to 1783, making him one of the long-serving soldiers in the Continental Army.

What can we infer about the life of African-American soldiers like Plymouth Negro during the war?

African-American soldiers like Plymouth Negro not only fought in the war but also had familial responsibilities, as evidenced by Plymouth having a portion of his pay sent home to support his family.

What significance does the integrated nature of the regiments have in American military history?

The integration of African-American soldiers in regiments during the Revolutionary War was a rare occurrence in U.S. history, and it would not happen again until the 20th century, making it a significant aspect of early military history.