Evening star., 1932-01-24
20 Monmouth, from Saratoga TO York

State made q notable record for them
selves as well as in all other engage
ments In which they took part. This
regiment was composed entirely OF
Negroes-not white man among them
except the officers. In describing a
battle in which they engaged veteran
Of the Revolution declared: Three
times in succession they were attacked
with most desperate valor and fury by
three times did they successfully repel
the assaults and thus preserve our army
from capture. They fought through
the war. They were brave, hardy
troops. They helped to gain our lib
erty and independence. Had they been
unfaithful, or given way before the
enemy all would have been lost"
The Black Regiment was one Of three
that prevented the enemy from turning
the flank Of the American Army. In
referring to this regiment the Marquis
de Chastellux described 1t in his book.
Travels" as follows: "The greatest
part of them are Negroes or Mulattoes.
but they are strong, robust men and
they make a very good appearance"
AS late as 1888 this Black Regiment was
still in service and George Washington
ordered a detail from 1t to effect
forced march to surprise the eneny's
post at OsWego.
One of the most daring feats Of the
Revolution was performed by Lieut.-Col
Barton of the Rhode Island Militia and
the success of this exploit was largely
due to the assistance rendered by
Prince, a colored soldier.
Col. Barton wished to capture Mai
Gen. Prescott, the commanding officer
of the royal army at New port, in order
to effect the release of Gen. Lee whom
the British had taken prisoner and who
was of the same rank as Gen. Prescott.
Mistaken for Sentinels.
In the dead of night Col. Barton took
40 men with him in two boats. By
muffling their oars they managed to
pull safely by both the ships of war and
the guard boats without being discov-
cred. They were mistaken for senti-
nels, so that it was possible for them
to reach Gen. Prescott's quarters without
being challenged. The general was not
alarmed until his captors were at the
door of his room where he was peace
fully sleeping. Then Prince, whom Col.
Barton had brought along to assist him
in his dangerous project, threw the
weight of his powerful frame against
the door, broke it open and with his
strong black hands seized the general
while he was still in bed and bore him
triumphantly off prisoner.
There was great joy and exaltation
in the Continental Army as 1t brought
to it a British officer of equal rank
with Gen Lee and made it possible to
effect an exchange.
At the siege of Savannah, which re-
suited so disastrously for the American
Army, one of the braveSt deeds accred-
tied to foreign troops fighting in de-
fense Of the colonies was performed by
the Black Legion. Count D'Estaing
had been commissioned to recruit men
from Saint Domingo. The question OF
color was not raised, so the French OFF,
Ger gathered together 800 young freed
to come to America and fight for the
independence of the colonies. It was
known as Fontages' Legion, and was
commanded by Viscount de Fontages,
who was noted for his courage.
Count D'Estaing had come with the
French feet to help wrest Savannah
from the British. The attacking COL
umn, under command of the American
general, Lincoln, and Count DEstaing,
was met with such severe and steady
fire that the head of it was thrown into
confusion, and after finding 1t inpossi-
BILE to carry any part of the works a
general retreat was ordered. AS soon
as the American Army started to re-
treat the British Lieut.. Col. Maitland,
with the grenadiers and the marines
incorporated with them, charged the re-
treating army and tried to annihilate
it. Then it was that the Black Legion
met the fierce charge of the British
and saved the army at Savannah by
bravely covering its retreat. In an off,
cial record prepared in Paris the credit
Of having made this signal contribution
to the cause of American independence
is given the colored soldiers who came
from Saint Domingo. One of the SOL
diers in this Black Legion was Henri
Cristophe, the future King of Haiti.
Helped Build Fortifications.
The opinion concerning the advis-
ability OF arming colored men was by
no means unanimous even in the North
and East. In Massachusetts, there was
little, If any. opposition to allowing COL
ored men to enlist. The only question
which agitated the public mind there
was whether colored men should be
formed into separate organizations or
be enlisted with white men. But Mas
SachusettS decided overwhelmingly that
in raising her army she would not dis
crlminate between her citizens on ac-
count of color or race. So she literally
mixed her children up. On the 4th and
5th Of March, 1776, colored men helped
Gen. Washington to build the fortifi-
cation at Dorchester Heights in a sin
gle night. which greatly surprised the
British and forced them to evacuate
Boston. Reference has already been
made to the role played by the colored
men Of Massachusetts, at the battle of
Bunker Hill. There were very few
towns in the State that did not have
at least one colored representative in
The Continental Army.
At the close of the war John Han
cock, the first signer OF the Declaration
of independence. presented a colored
company, called the Bucks of America,
With a banner bearing his initials as
tribute to their devotion and courage
throughout the struggle In front of
he Hancock mansion In Beacon stree
Iov. Hancock and his son united in
making the presentation a memorable
one. 1t IS interesting to note in pass
ng that the Bucks were under the COM
r and of colored man, Col Middleton.
In Connecticut there was great dif-
erence OF opinion concerning the wis
iom OF allowing colored men to
Mist in the Army. The uuesion
ure several times. Those who ad-
'ocated the measure were defeated
Fhen the bill was put to vote. There
anne time, however, when it was DIFF
icult to get recruits. Then it was that
he Colony of Connecticut decided to
orm corps Of colored soldiers. A bat
allon was soon enlisted and company
vas commanded by Col. David Hum
,hrey. who had been commissioned
lieutenant colonel by Congress and had
'een appointed aide-de-camp to Gen.
Washington. But this company was not
he only unit of colored soldiers from
who saw service In the
revolutionary War. In many of her
Fhite regiments both the bond and the
rec might have been found.
Rhode Island Passes Act.
In Rhode Island the sentiment favor