Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1915-02-12
AFRO-AMER|CAN CU[[|NCS

In the article Of Mr.. James Croggon.
in the Sunday Star, it is stated that
one hundred years ago the first col
ored troops who ever served in the
army OF the United States won the
commentator of General Jackson in
the battles IN and around New Or
leans This statement as to when
the first colored troops served in the
army of the United States Is incorrect.
writes Albert n. Seip In communi-
cation 10 the Washington Star. Ban
croft's History. volume five, pages
l52, 1873. says: "On the first of Janu.
airy, l776. the tr1eolored American BAN
ner. not yet spangled with stars. but
showing 10 stripes of alternate red
and white in the field. and the united
red and white crosses OF Saint George
and Saint Andrew on blue ground In
the corner, was unfuried over the
new continental army around Boston.
which, at that moment OF its greatest
weakness. consisted of but $3.50 men.
On that day, free Negroes stood In the
ranks by the side OF white men. In the
beginning OF the war they had en-
tered the provincial army; the first
general order which was issued BY
General Ward had required a return.
among other things. OF the complex.
ion" OF the soldiers. and black men.
like others. were retained Ia the serv-
ice after the troops were adopted b.
she continent.
We have seen Edward Rntledge de
feated in his attempt 20 compel their
discharge. In October. the conference
at the camp. with Franklin. Harrison
and Lynch. thought II proper TO ex-
clude them from the new enlistment.
but Washington. at the crisis OF his
distress, finding that they were very
much dissatisfied at being discarded.
reversed the decision and asked the
approval of congress. That body APP
pointed Wythe, Samuel Adams and
Wilson to deliberate on the question.
and. on the report of their ablo com
mittee. they voted that the free Ne.
groes who had served faithfully Ia the
army at Cambridge might be re-en-
right Of free Negroes TO take part In
the defense Of the country having thus
been partially admitted by the high
est power. the limitation was lost sight
OF. and they served In the ranks OF the
American armies during every period
OF the war
When in 1878 the army was rcducsd
10 It's lowest point In numbers. Ban
croft states. IN volume six. page rs.
that ''varnum. brigadier OF Rhode
Island. proposed the emancipation OF
slaves in that state. on condition OF
their enIisting 10 the army for the war.
The scheme. approved by Washington.
and by him referred TO Cooke. the
governor OF the state. was accepted. Ev-
cry able-bodied slave in Rhode Island
received law liberty to enlist IN the
army for the war. On passing muster
he became free and entitled 10 all the
wages and announcements given by
congress to any soldier The state
made some compensation TO their mas
ters.
As the object OF this communication
is simply 70 correct the error Of Mr..
Croggon as TO when the first colorcd
troops served In the army OF the Unit.
ed States, 1t is not necessary to refer
TO the wellknown fact that Negroes
fought at the battle OF Bunker HILL.
taking part In common with the white
yeomanry Of Massachusetts, and other
states. Their services in the Union
army during tho Civil war are well
known.