African Americans in the Revolutionary War

In this enlightening and informative work, military historian and author Lt. Col. Michael Lee Lanning reveals the under-acknowledged, critical, and heroic role both enslaved and free African Americans played in the American Revolution while serving – despite racism – in integrated units. At first, neither George Washington nor the Continental Congress approved of enlisting African Americans in the new army. Nevertheless, Black men—both slave and free—filled the ranks and served in all of the early battles. Black sailors also saw action in every major naval battle of the Revolution, including members of John Paul Jones’s crew aboard the Bonhomme Richard. At least thirteen Black Americans served in the newly formed U.S. Marine Corps during the war. Their bravery is recorded here in the stories of citizen Crispus Attucks at the Boston Massacre; militiaman Price Esterbrook at Lexington Green; soldier Salem Poor at Bunker Hill; and marine John Martin aboard the brig Reprisal.

• Paperback
• 256 Pages
• 6" x 9"