Colonel Tye Colonel Tye , also known as Titus Cornelius ( c . 1753 – 1780 ) , was a slave of African descent in New Jersey who achieved notability during the American Revolutionary War by his leadership and fighting skills , when he fought as a Loyalist . He was one of the most effective guerrilla leaders opposing the American rebel forces in central New Jersey . Although never commissioned an officer by the British Army , which did not appoint anyone of African descent to such positions , Colonel Tye earned his honorary title as a sign of respect for his tactical and leadership skills . His knowledge of the terrain in Monmouth County , New Jersey was integral to his success . As the commander of the elite Black Brigade , he led raids against the American rebels , seized supplies and assassinated many American leaders during the war . He provided substantial aid to the British . His aid to the British in New York City helped them withstand a siege by American forces under Gen . George Washington . Titus was originally owned by John Corlies , a Quaker in Monmouth County . Corlies held slaves despite his religion ' s increasing opposition to slavery . It was Quaker practice to teach slaves how to read and write and to free them at age 21 . Corlies refused to do so , and he was known to be hard on his slaves , severely whipping them for minor causes . Prelude to revolution . In November 1775 John Murray , 4th Earl of Dunmore , the royal governor of Virginia , issued a proclamation offering freedom to all slaves and indentured servants who would leave rebel masters and join the British . The proclamation led almost 100 , 000 slaves to escape and join the British — Titus among them . Planters considered this a " diabolical scheme " ; it contributed to their support for the Patriot cause ( Henretta et al . 2006 ) . Having learned to sell his own goods and memorized a map of the region , Titus escaped from Corlies and traveled down the coast to Virginia . There he passed as a freedman and did odd jobs . Corlies posted a reward for Titus ' s capture and return , describing him as " about 21 years of age , not very black , near six feet high " . Military actions . Going by the name of " Tye " , Titus became a captain in Dunmore ' s Ethiopian Regiment . He survived the famine and sickness that plagued the unit after they retreated from Virginia . Returning to New Jersey , he joined the elite Black Brigade , a guerrilla group of 24 . His first recorded military action was at the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778 , where he captured an American captain . Tye ' s knowledge of Monmouth County and his bold leadership soon made him a well - known and feared Loyalist guerrilla commander . The British paid him and his men to destabilize the region . Colonel Tye led several successful raids during the summer of 1779 , seizing food and fuel , taking prisoners , and freeing many slaves . During the summer of 1779 , Tye and the 23 members of the Black Brigade served with a white Loyalist unit called the Queen ' s Rangers , also guerrillas ; together they helped defend the British in New Jersey . Tye continued to fight through 1780 , exacting revenge against his former owner and others . He killed the well - known rebel Joseph Murray , who was known to summarily execute all captured Loyalists . Death and legacy . In September 1780 , Tye was injured by a musket ball that passed through his wrist . He was trying to smoke out the patriot leader Captain Joshua Huddy . Huddy and a female servant had managed to resist Tye ' s band for two hours before the Loyalists set fire to the house . Colonel Tye developed tetanus and gangrene from his wound , which soon caused his death .