Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-06-06
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.

1t seems at the present time to be in great
measure forgotten that, in proportion to their
number, the colored people of the United States
bore their full share of the dangers, suferings,
and sacrifices of the Revolutionary war. If the
facts in this respect, could be, at this late peri
cd, collected, it would be found that scarcely a
ship was manned, or a battlefield contested, in
which colored Americans did not Participate
In the debates Of the New York Convention, for
amending the Constitution of the State in 1921
DIR. Clarke, the delegate from Delaware County
speaking of the colored inhabitants, said: In
the war Of the Revolution, these men elped tc
fight Your battles by land and sea. Some Of
the States were glad to turn out corps of coored
men, and to stand, shoulder to shoulder with
them. IN the last war they contributed largely
to some Of your most splendid victories. On
lakes Erie and Champlan, orr fleets were man.
ned in large proportion with colored men. In
This very house, in the full of 1914, bill wa:
passed, authorizing the Governor to accept the
services Of 2,000 colored vounteers-volun,
eers to defend from inroad and rav1ge that very
country which had treated them with insult, de-
yradaton and slaveryp
The late VIM. Eustis, Of Massachusetts
whose personal popularity enabled the Demo
ratio party in that state to elevate him to thC
the 18th of 18th month, 1910, bore an emphat
and eloquent testimony to the efficient services
# the colored soldiers of the Revolution. III
Rhode Island said Governor E. they formed al
ntire regiment and they discharged their duty
With zeal and fidelity: The gallant defence o
Red Bank in which the black regiment bore
Dart, is among the proofs oftheir valor. Amen!
the traits which distinguished this regiment, wa
their devotion to their officers. When Colone
Green was afterwards cut down and mortal
wounded, the sabres of the enemy only reaches
him through the bodies of his faithful guard G
blacks, whom he was not ashamed to call hi
children. They lowered over him to protec
him--cucry one of them 0erc killed." The ven
cradle DR. Harris, of New Hampshire, revo
lutonary veteran, then nearly 80 years of age
at meeting held at Jamestown spoke of thi
regiment. He said, that when stationed il
l
Rhode Island, his regiment was ordered to de
fend an important pass, which the enemy thric
ferccly attacked, and were as often repulsed.-
There was, said the doctor, "a regiment G
blacks in the same situation; regiment Of ne
groes fighting for our liberty and independence
not a white man among them but the officer
in this same dangerous position Had the
been un(aithfu, or given away before the enemy
all would have been lost. Three times in sue
cession we're they attacked with most desperat
fury, by we'll disciplined and veteran troops, an
/. three times did they successfully repe the as
sault, and thus preserved the army. They Tough
thus through the war. They were brave am
hardy troops
Governor Morrill, of New Hampshire, in
+ speech in Congress, in 1920, said: Your sol
derS Of color fought your battles They hav
defended your country-they have preserves
your privileges, but they have lost their own
The celebrated Charles Pinckney, Of Sout
Carolina, in his speech on the Missouri question