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diff --git a/59344-0.txt b/59344-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d16325a --- /dev/null +++ b/59344-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1845 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59344 *** + + + + + + + + + + + + + COLORED AMERICANS IN THE + WARS OF 1776 AND 1812 + + [Illustration] + + By + WILLIAM C. NELL + + PHILADELPHIA: + PRINTED FOR H. T. KEALING, 681 PINE STREET + 1902 + + + + +A STATEMENT. + + +This little volume sets forth in compact form the achievements of the +American Negro during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. It +is compiled from valuable records, diaries, documents and articles in +newspapers nearly contemporaneous with the times of which they treat, +and it may, therefore, be considered a valuable compendium to the man +who seeks information on a subject but scantily treated in the standard +historical works to which reference is usually made. + +The matter herein contained was first printed in a Canada edition +called "Services of Colored Americans in the Wars of 1776 and 1812." +It is now out of print, but matter of so great value in fixing the +patriotic status of a people so long denied honorable place among +the nation-makers of America must not be allowed to fade from view; +especially at this time when archives and libraries are being ransacked +by scholarly men of the Negro race for defensive data against the +insidious attacks of wily foes upon the claims and merit of the colored +race considered as soldiers and citizens. + +A reference to the bibliography and authorities quoted by Mr. NELL, the +author, is an addition to the original volume which will be appreciated +by those inquirers who have access to good libraries and wish to verify +the facts here given. + +To have collected all these scattered and fugitive allusions involved +no small labor, and deserves the thanks of all who want to see the +material for a full and fair history of the United States so gathered +into one convenient place that the future historian cannot fail to find +it, if he be desirous; nor refuse to use it, if he be conscientious. + +It should be mentioned that matter which has became untrue by the +progress of events since the first edition of this book has been +carefully exscinded. + + H. T. KEALING. + + PHILADELPHIA, Pa., September 1, 1902. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +The following pages are an effort to stem the tide of prejudice against +the Colored race. The white man despises the colored man, and has come +to think him fit only for the menial drudgery to which the majority of +the race has been so long doomed. "This prejudice was never reasoned +up, and will never be reasoned down." _It must be lived down._ In a +land where wealth is the basis of reputation, the colored man must +prove his sagacity and enterprise by successful trade or speculation. +To show his capacity for mental culture he must BE, not merely _claim +the right to be_, a scholar. Professional eminence is peculiarly the +result of practice and long experience. The colored people, therefore, +owe it to each other and to their race to extend liberal encouragement +to colored lawyers, physicians and teachers, as well as to mechanics +and artisans of all kinds. Let no individual despair. Not to name the +living, let me hold up the example of one whose career deserves to +be often spoken of, as complete proof that a colored man can rise to +social respect and the highest employment and usefulness, in spite +not only of the prejudice that crushes his race, but of the heaviest +personal burdens. Dr. DAVID RUGGLES, poor, blind and an invalid, +founded a well-known Water Cure Establishment in the town where I +write, erected expensive buildings, won honorable distinction as a most +successful and skilful practitioner, secured the warm regard and esteem +of this community, and left a name embalmed in the hearts of many who +feel that they owe life to his eminent skill and careful practice. +Black though he was, his aid was sought sometimes by those numbered +among the Pro-Slavery class. To be sure, his is but a single instance, +and I know it required pre-eminent ability to make a way up to light +through the overwhelming mass of prejudice and contempt. But it is +these rare cases of strong will and eminent endowment,--always sure to +make the world feel whether it will or no,--that will finally wring +from a contemptuous community the reluctant confession of the colored +man's equality. + +I ask, therefore, the reader's patronage of the following sheets, on +several grounds; first, as an encouragement to the author, Mr. NELL, +to pursue a subject which well deserves illustration on other points +besides those on which he has labored; secondly, to scatter broadly as +possible, the facts here collected, as instance of the colored man's +success--a record of the genius he has shown, and the services he has +rendered society in the higher departments of exertion; thirdly, to +encourage such men as RUGGLES to perseverance, by showing a generous +appreciation of their labors and a cordial sympathy in their trials. + +Some things set down here go to prove colored men patriotic--though +denied a country; and all show a wish, on their part, to prove +themselves men, in a land whose laws refuse to recognize their manhood. +If the reader shall, sometimes, blush to find that in the days of our +country's weakness, we remembered their power to help or harm us, and +availed ourselves gladly of their generous services, while we have +since, used our strength only to crush them the more completely, let +him resolve henceforth to do them justice himself and claim it for them +of others. If any shall be convinced by these facts, that they need +only a free path to show the same capacity and reap the same rewards +as other races, let such labor to open every door to their efforts, +and hasten the day when to be black shall not, almost necessarily, +doom a man to poverty and the most menial drudgery. There is touching +eloquence, as well as Spartan brevity, in the appeal of a well-known +colored man, Rev. PETER WILLIAMS, of New York: + +"We are _natives_ of this country; we ask only to be treated as well as +_foreigners_. Not a few of our fathers suffered and bled to purchase +its independence; we ask only to be treated as well as those who fought +against it. We have toiled to cultivate it, and to raise it to its +present prosperous condition; we ask only to share equal privileges +with those who come from distant lands to enjoy the fruits of our +labor." + + WENDELL PHILLIPS. + + NORTHAMPTON, Oct. 25, 1852. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +In the month of July, 1847, the eloquent Bard of Freedom, JOHN G. +WHITTIER, contributed to the National Era a statement of facts relative +to the Military Services of Colored Americans in the Revolution of +1776, and the War of 1812. Being a member of the Society of Friends, +he disclaimed any eulogy upon the shedding of blood, even in the cause +of acknowledged Justice, but, says he, "when we see a whole nation +doing honor to the memories of one class of its defenders, to the +total neglect of another class, who had the misfortune to be of darker +complexion, we cannot forego the satisfaction of inviting notice to +certain historical facts, which, for the last half century, have been +quietly elbowed aside, as no more deserving of a place in patriotic +recollections, than the descendants of the men to whom the facts in +question relates, have a place in a Fourth of July procession [in the +nation's estimation]. + + "Of the services and sufferings of the Colored Soldiers of the + Revolution, no attempt has, to our knowledge, been made to preserve a + record. They have had no historian. With here and there an exception, + they have all passed away, and only some faint traditions linger among + their descendants. Yet enough is known to show that the Free Colored + Men of the United States bore their full proportion of the sacrifices + and trials of the Revolutionary War." + +In any attempt, then, to rescue from oblivion the name and fame of +those who, though "tinged with the hated stain," yet had warm hearts +and active hands in the "times that tried men's souls," I will first +gratefully tender him my thanks for the service his compilation has +afforded me, and my acknowledgments also to other individuals who have +kindly contributed facts for this pamphlet. Imperfect as these pages +may prove, to prepare even these, journeys have been made to confer +with the living, and even pilgrimages to grave-yards, to save all that +may still be gleaned from their fast disappearing records. + +There are those who will ask,--why make a parade of the _military_ +services of Colored Americans, instead of recording their attention +_to_ and progress _in_ the various other departments of civil, social, +and political elevation? To this let me answer, that I yield to no one +in appreciating the propriety and pertinency of _every_ effort on the +part of Colored Americans, in _all_ pursuits, which, as members of +the human family, it becomes them to share in; and, among these, _my_ +predilections are _least_ and _last_ for what constitutes the pomp and +circumstances of War. + +Did the limits of this work permit, I could furnish an elaborate list +of those who have distinguished themselves as Teachers, Editors, +Orators, Mechanics, Clergymen, Artists, Farmers, Poets, Lawyers, +Physicians, Merchants, etc., to whose perennial fame be it recorded +that most of their attainments were reached through difficulties +unknown to any but those whose sin is the curl of the hair and the hue +of the skin. + +There is now an institution of learning in the State of New York, +Central College, which recently employed, as Professor of Belles +Lettres, a young Colored man, CHARLES L. REASON, and who, on resigning +his chair, dropped his mantle gracefully upon the shoulders of WILLIAM +G. ALLEN, another Colored young man as worthy for scholastic abilities +and gentlemanly deportment. + +These men, as Teachers, especially in Colleges open to all, +irrespective of accidental differences, are doing a mighty work in +uprooting prejudice. The influences thus gathered are already felt. +Many a young white man or woman who, in early life has imbibed wrong +notions of the Colored man's inferiority, is taught a new lesson by the +Colored Professors at McGrawville; and they leave its honored walls +with thanksgiving in their hearts for the conversion from Pro-Slavery +Heathenism to the Gospel of Christian Freedom; and are thus prepared to +go forth as Pioneers in the cause of Human Brotherhood. + +But the Orator's voice and Author's pen have both been eloquent +in detailing the merits of Colored Americans in these various +ramifications of society, while a combination of circumstances have +veiled from the public eye a narration of those military services which +are generally conceded as passports to the honorable and lasting notice +of Americans. + + BOSTON, May, 1851. + + + + +SERVICES OF COLORED AMERICANS. + + + + +MASSACHUSETTS. + + +On the fifth of March, 1851, a petition was presented to the +Massachusetts Legislature, asking an appropriation of $1,500 for +erecting a monument to the memory of Crispus Attucks, the first martyr +in the Boston Massacre of March 5th, 1770. The matter was referred +to the Committee on Military Affairs, who granted a hearing of the +petitioners, in whose behalf appeared Wendell Phillips, Esq., and Wm. +C. Nell, but finally submitted an adverse report, on the ground that +a boy, Christopher Snyder, was previously killed. Admitting this fact +(which was the result of a very different sense from that in which +Attucks fell), does not offset the claims of Attucks, and those who +made the fifth of March famous in our annals--the day which history +selects as the dawn of the American Revolution. + +Botta's History and Hewe's Reminiscences (the tea party survivor) +establishes the fact that the colored man, Attucks, was of and with the +people, and was never regarded otherwise. Botta, in speaking of the +scenes of the 5th of March, says "The people were greatly exasperated. +The multitude armed with clubs, ran towards King Street, crying, +'Let us drive out these ribalds; they have no business here!" The +rioters rushed furiously towards the Custom House; they approached +the sentinel, crying, 'Kill him, kill him!' They assaulted him with +snowballs, pieces of ice, and whatever they could lay their hands +upon." The guard was then called, and, in marching to the Custom House, +"they encountered," continues Botta, "a band of the populace, led by a +mulatto named Attucks, who brandished their clubs, and peltered them +with snowballs. The maledictions, the execrations of the multitude +were horrible. In the midst of a torrent of invectives from every +quarter, the military were challenged to fire. The populace advanced +to the points of their bayonets. The soldiers appeared like statues; +the cries, the howlings, the menaces, the violent din of bells still +sounding the alarm, increased the confusion and the horrors of these +moments; at length the mulatto and twelve of his companions, pressing +forward, environed the soldiers, and striking their muskets with their +clubs cried to the multitude: 'Be not afraid, they dare not fire; why +do they hesitate, why do you not kill them, why not crush them at +once!' The mulatto lifted his arm against Captain Preston, and having +turned one of the muskets, he seized the bayonet with his left hand, as +if he intended to execute his threat. At this moment, confused cries +were heard: 'The wretches dare not fire!' Firing succeeds, Attucks is +slain. The other discharges follow. Three were killed, five severely +wounded, and several others slightly." + +Attucks was killed by Montgomery, one of Captain Preston's soldiers. He +had been foremost in resisting and was first slain; as proof of front +and close engagement, received two balls, one in each breast. + +John Adams, counsel for the soldiers, admitted that Attucks appeared +to have undertaken to be the Hero of the night, and to lead the army +with banners. He and Caldwell, not being residents of Boston, were both +buried from Faneuil Hall. The citizens generally participated in the +funeral solemnities. + +The Boston Transcript, of March, 1851, published an anonymous +correspondence disparaging the whole affair; denouncing Crispus Attucks +as a very firebrand of disorder and sedition, the most conspicuous, +inflammatory, and uproarious of the misguided populace, and who, if +he had not fallen a martyr, would richly have reserved hanging as an +incendiary. If the leader, Attucks, deserved the epithets above applied +is it not a legitimate inference that the citizens who followed on are +included, and hence, should swing in his company on the gallows? If the +leader and his patriot band were misguided, the distinguished orators +who, in after days, commemorated the fifth day of March, must, indeed, +have been misguided, and with them the masses who were inspired by +their eloquence; for John Hancock, in 1774, invokes the injured shades +of Maverick, Gray, Caldwell, Attucks, Carr. + +And Judge Dawes, in 1775, thus alludes to the band of misguided +incendiaries. "The provocation of that night must be numbered among the +master springs which gave the first motion to a vast machinery, a noble +and comprehensive system of national independence." + +Ramsay's History of the American Revolution, Vol. I., p. 22, adds, +"The anniversary of the 5th of March was observed with great solemnity; +eloquent orators were successively employed to preserve the remembrance +of it fresh in the mind. On these occasions the blessings of +liberty--the horrors of Slavery, and the danger of a standing army were +presented to the public view. These annual orations administered fuel +to the fire of liberty, and kept it burning with an irresistible flame." + +The 5th of March continued to be celebrated for the above reasons, +until the Declaration of American Independence was substituted in its +place, and its orators were expected to consider the feelings, manners, +and principles of the former as giving birth to the latter. + +In judging, then, of the merits of those who launched the American +Revolution, we would not take counsel from the Tories of that or the +present day, but rather heed the approving eulogy of Lovell, Hancock +and Warren. + +Welcome, then, be every taunt that such correspondents have flung at +Attucks and his company, as the best evidence of their merits and +strongest claims on our gratitude. Envy and the foe do not labor to +abuse any but prominent champions of a cause. + +The rejection of this petition was to be expected, if we accept the +axiom that a Colored man never gets Justice done him in the United +States, except by mistake. The petitioners only asked for that Justice, +and that the name of Crispus Attucks be surrounded with the same +emblems constantly appropriated by a grateful country to other gallant +Americans. + +And yet let it be recorded that the same session of the Legislature +which had refused the Attucks monument, granted one to Isaac Davis, +of Concord,--both were promoters of the American Revolution; but one +was white, the other black--and this fact is the only solution to the +problem why Justice is not meted out.[1] + +[1] A monument to Crispus Attucks has been erected on Boston Commons +since the above was written.--H. T. K. + +Extract from the Speech of Hon. Anson Burlingame, in Faneuil Hall, +October 13, 1852, when alluding to the volunteer participation of +Boston officials in returning Thomas Sims to bondage, in April, 1851. + + "The conquering of New England prejudices in favor of liberty, 'does + not pay.' It 'does not pay,' I submit, to put our fellow citizens + under practical martial law; to beat the drum in our streets; to + clothe our temples of justice in chains, and to creep along by the + light of the morning star, over the ground wet with the blood of + Crispus Attucks, the noble Colored man, who fell in King Street, + before the muskets of tyranny, away in the dawn of our Revolution; + creep by Faneuil Hall, silent and dark; by the Green Dragon, where + that noble mechanic, Paul Revere, once mustered the sons of liberty; + within sight of Prospect Hill, where we first unfurled the glorious + banner; creep along with funeral pace, bearing a brother, a man made + in the image of his God, not to the grave--oh, that were merciful, for + in the grave there is no work and no device, and the voice of a master + never comes--but back to the degradation of a Slavery which kills out + of a living body an immortal soul. (Great sensation.) Oh! where is the + man now who took part in that mournful transaction, who would wish, + looking back upon it, to avow it." + +During the Revolutionary War, public opinion was so strongly in favor +of the abolition of slavery, that, in some of the country towns, +votes were passed in town meetings that they would have no slaves +among them; and that they would not exact, of masters, any bonds for +the maintenance of liberated blacks, should they become incapable +of supporting themselves. A liberty-loving antiquarian copied the +following from Suffolk Probate Record, and published it in the +Liberator of February, 1847: + + "Know all men by these presents, that I, Jonathan Jackson, of + Newburyport, in the county of Essex, gentleman, in consideration of + the impropriety I feel, and have felt in beholding any person in + constant bondage--more especially at the time when my country is so + warmly contending for the liberty every man ought to enjoy--and having + sometime since promised my Negro man, Pomp, that I would give him + his freedom--and in further consideration of five shillings, paid me + by said Pomp, I do hereby liberate, manumit, and set him free; and I + do hereby remise and release unto said Pomp, all demands of whatever + nature I have against said Pomp. + + "In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal, this nineteenth + June, 1776. + + "JONATHAN JACKSON. (Seal). + + "Witness, Mary Coburn, Wm. Noyes." + +It only remains to say a word respecting the two parties of the +foregoing indenture. + +Jonathan Jackson, of Newburyport, we well remember to have heard spoken +of, in our boyish days, by honored lips, as a most upright and thorough +gentleman of the old school, possessing talents and character of the +first standing. He was the first Collector of the Port of Boston, under +Washington's administration and was Treasurer of the Commonwealth +of Massachusetts for many years, and died in 1810. A tribute to his +memory and his worth, said to be from the pen of the late John Lowell, +appeared in the Columbian Sentinel, March 10, 1810. His immediate +descendants have long resided in this city, are extensively known, and +as widely and justly honored. + +Pomp took the name of his late master, upon his emancipation, and +soon after enlisted in the army, as Pomp Jackson, served through the +whole war of the revolution and obtained an honorable discharge at its +termination. He afterwards settled in Andover, near a pond, still known +as "Pomp's Pond," where some of his descendants yet live. In this case +of emancipation, it appears, instead of "cutting his master's throat," +he only slashed the throats of his country's enemies. + +The late Governor Eustis, of Massachusetts, the pride and boast of +the democracy of the East, himself an active participant in the War, +and therefore a most competent witness, states that the Freed Colored +Soldiers entered the ranks with the whites. The time of those who +were Slaves was purchased of their masters, and they were induced to +enter the service in consequence of a law of Congress, by which, on +condition of their serving in the ranks during the War, they were made +Freemen. The hope of Liberty inspired them with the courage to oppose +their breasts to the Hessian bayonet at Red Bank, and enabled them to +endure with fortitude the cold and famine of Valley Forge. + +Seymour Burr was a Slave in Connecticut, to a brother of Col. Aaron +Burr, from whom he derived his name. Though treated with much favor by +his master, his heart yearned for liberty, and he seized an occasion to +induce several of his fellow servants to escape in a boat, intending to +join the British, that they might become Freemen; but being pursued by +their owners, armed with implements of death, they were compelled to +surrender. + +Burr's master, contrary to his expectation, did not inflict corporal +punishment, but reminded him of the kindness with which he had been +treated, and asked what inducement he could have in leaving him. Burr +replied that he wanted his liberty. His owner finally proposed, that +if he would give him the bounty money he might join the American army, +and at the end of the war be his own man. Burr, willing to make any +sacrifice for his liberty, consented, and served faithfully during +the campaign, attached to the Seventh Regiment, commanded by Colonel, +afterwards Governor Brooks, of Melford. He was present at the siege of +Fort Catskill, and endured much suffering from starvation and cold. +After some skirmishing the army was relieved by the arrival of Gen. +Washington, who, as witnessed by him, shed tears of joy on finding them +unexpectedly safe. + +Burr married one of the Punkapog tribe of Indians, and settled in +Canton, Mass., where his widow now, aged one hundred and one years, +draws his pension. + +Primus Hall, a native Bostonian, and long known to the citizens as a +soap-boiler, served in the revolutionary war, and used to entertain +the social circle with various anecdotes of military experience; among +them an instance, where being himself in possession of a blanket, at a +time when such a luxury had become scarce, Gen. Washington entered the +tent, having appropriated his own bedding for the worn-out soldiers, +Hall immediately tendered his blanket for the General, who replied, +he preferred sharing his privations with his fellow soldiers, and +accordingly Gen. Washington and Primus Hall reposed for the night +together. + +Mr. Hall was among those Colored citizens who, in the war of 1812, +repaired to Castle Island, in Boston harbor, to assist in building +fortifications. (See Appendix.) + +Joshua B. Smith narrated to me that he was present at a company of +distinguished Massachusetts men, when the conversation turned upon +the exploits of Revolutionary times; and that the late Judge Story +related the instance of a Colored Artillerist, who, while having charge +of a cannon with a white fellow soldier, was wounded in one arm. He +immediately turned to his comrade and proposed changing his position, +exclaiming that he had yet one arm left with which he could render +some service to his country. The change proved fatal to the heroic +soldier, for another shot from the enemy killed him on the spot. Judge +Story furnished other incidents of the bravery and devotion of Colored +Soldiers, adding, that he had often thought them and their descendants +too much neglected, considering the part they had sustained in the +Wars; and he regretted that he did not, in early life, gather the facts +into a shape for general information. + +At the close of the Revolutionary War, John Hancock presented the +Colored Soldiers, called the "Bucks of America," an appropriate banner +(bearing his initials) as a tribute to their courage and devotion +in the cause of American Liberty, through a protracted and bloody +struggle. This banner is now in the possession of Mrs. Kay, whose +father was a member of the company. + +When a boy, living in West Boston, I was familiar with the presence of +"Big Dick," and of hearing the following history confirmed. It is not +wholly out of place in this collection. + +Big Dick--Richard Seavers, whose death in this city we lately +mentioned, was a man of mighty mould. A short time previous to his +death, he measured six feet five inches in height, and attracted much +attention when seen in the street. He was born in Salem or vicinity +and when about sixteen years old, went to England, where he entered +the British navy. When the war of 1812 broke out, he would not fight +against his country, gave himself up as an American citizen, and was +made a prisoner of war. + +A Surgeon on board of an American privateer, who experienced the tender +mercies of the British Government in Darton prison, during the War of +1812, makes honorable mention of King Dick, as he was there called. + +"There are about four hundred and fifty negroes in prison No. 4, and +this assemblage of blacks affords many curious anecdotes, and much +matter for speculation. These blacks have a ruler among them whom +they call King Dick. He is by far the largest, and I suspect, the +strongest man in the prison. He is six feet five inches in height, and +proportionably large. This black Hercules commands respect, and his +subjects tremble in his presence. He goes the rounds every day, and +visits every berth to see if they are all kept clean. When he goes the +rounds, he puts on a large bearskin cap, and carries in his hand a +huge club. If any of his men are dirty, drunken or grossly negligent, +he threatens them with a beating; and if they are saucy, they are sure +to receive one. They have several times conspired against him, and +attempted to dethrone him, but he has always conquered the rebels. One +night several attacked him while asleep in his hammock, he sprang up +and seized the smallest of them by his feet, and thumped another with +him. The poor negro who had thus been made a beetle of, was carried +next day to the hospital, sadly bruised, and provokingly laughed at. +This ruler of the blacks, this King Richard IV, is a man of good +understanding, and he exercises it to a good purpose. If any one of his +color cheats, defrauds, or steals from his comrades, he is sure to be +punished for it."--Boston Patriot. + + + + +RHODE ISLAND. + + +The Hon. Tristam Burgess, of Rhode Island, in a speech to Congress +first month, 1828, said: "At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, +Rhode Island had a number of slaves. A regiment of them were enlisted +into the Continental service, and no braver men met the enemy in +battle; but not one of them was permitted to be a solider until he had +first been made a freeman." + +"In Rhode Island," says Governor Eustis, in his able speech against +slavery in Missouri, twelfth of Twelfth month, 1820, "the blacks formed +an entire regiment, and they discharged their duty with zeal and +fidelity. The gallant defence of Red Bank, in which the black regiment +bore a part, is among the proofs of their valor." In this contest it +will be recollected that four hundred men met and repulsed, after a +terrible and sanguinary struggle, fifteen hundred Hessian troops, +headed by Count Donop. The glory of the defence of Red Bank, which has +been pronounced one of the most heroic actions of the war, belongs in +reality to black men; yet who now hears them spoken of in connection +with it? Among the traits which distinguished the black regiment, was +devotion to their officers. In the attack made upon the American lines, +near Croton river, on the 13th of Fifth month, 1781, Colonel Greene, +the commander of the regiment, was cut down and mortally wounded; but +the sabres of the enemy only reached him through the bodies of his +faithful guard of blacks, who hovered over him to protect him, every +one of whom was killed. + +Lieutenant Colonel Barton, of the Rhode Island militia, planned a +bold exploit for the purpose of surprising and taking Major-General +Prescott, the commanding officer of the royal army at Newport. Taking +with him in the night about forty men, in two boats, with oars muffled, +he had the address to elude the vigilance of the ships of war and guard +boats, and having arrived undiscovered at the General's quarters, they +were taken for the sentinels, and the General was not alarmed until the +captors were at the door of his lodging chamber, which was fast closed. +A negro man named Prince instantly thrust his head through the panel +door and seized the victim while in bed. The General's aid-de-camp +leaped from a window undressed, and attempted to escape but was taken, +and with the General brought off in safety.--Thatcher's Military +Journal, August 3, 1777. + + + + +CONNECTICUT. + + +Hon. Calvin Goddard, of Connecticut, states that in the little circle +of his residence, he was instrumental in securing, under the Act of +1818, the pensions of nineteen Colored Soldiers. "I cannot," he says, +"refrain from mentioning one aged black man, Primus Babcock, who +proudly presented to me an honorable discharge from service during the +war, dated at the close of it, wholly in the handwriting of George +Washington. Nor can I forget the expression of his feelings, when +informed after his discharge had been sent to the War Department, that +it could not be returned. At his request it was written for, as he +seemed inclined to spurn the pension and reclaim the discharge." There +is a touching anecdote related of Baron Steuben, on the occasion of +the disbandment of the American army. A black soldier, with his wounds +unhealed, utterly destitute, stood on the wharf just as a vessel bound +for a distant home was getting under way. The poor fellow gazed at the +vessel with tears in his eyes, and gave himself up to despair. The +warm hearted foreigner witnessed his emotion, and, inquiring into the +cause of it, took his last dollar from his purse, and gave it to him +with tears of sympathy trickling down his cheeks. Overwhelmed with +gratitude, the poor wounded soldier hailed the sloop, and was received +on board. As it moved out from the wharf, he cried back to his noble +friend on shore, 'God Almighty bless you, master Baron.'" + +During the Revolutionary War, and after the sufferings of a protracted +contest had rendered it difficult to procure recruits for the army, +the Colony of Connecticut adopted the expedient of forming a corps +of colored soldiers. A battalion of blacks was soon enlisted, and +throughout the war conducted themselves with fidelity and efficiency. +The late General Humphreys, then a Captain, commanded a company of +this corps. It is said that some objections were made on the part of +officers, to accepting the command of the colored troops. In this +exigency, Captain Humphreys, who was attached to the family of General +Washington, volunteered his services. His patriotism was rewarded, and +his fellow officers were afterwards as desirous to obtain appointments +in that corps as they had previously been to avoid them. + +The following extract, furnished by Charles Lennox Remond, from the pay +rolls of the second company fourth regiment of the Connecticut line of +the Revolutionary army may rescue many gallant names from oblivion. + + CAPTAIN, DAVID HUMPHREYS. + + PRIVATES. + + Jack Arabus, + John Cleveland, + Phineas Strong, + Ned Fields, + Isaac Higgins, + Lewis Martin, + Cæsar Chapman, + Peter Mix, + Philo Freeman, + Hector Williams, + Juba Freeman, + Brister Baker, + Cæsar Bagdon, + Gamaliel Terry, + Lent Munson, + Heman Rogers, + Job Cæsar, + John Rogers, + Ned Freedom, + Ezekiel Tupham, + Tom Freeman, + Congo Zado, + John Ball, + John McLean, + Jesse Vose, + Daniel Bradley, + Sharp Camp, + Jo Otis, + James Dinah, + Solomon Sowtice, + Peter Freeman, + Cato Wilbrow, + Cuff Freeman, + Cato Robinson, + Prince George, + Prince Crosbee, + Shuabel Johnson, + Tim Cæsar, + Jack Little, + Bill Sowers, + Dick Violet, + Peter Gibbs, + Prince Johnson, + Alex. Judd, + Pomp Liberty, + Cuff Liberty, + Pomp Cyrus, + Harry Williams, + Sharp Rogers, + Juba Dyer, + Andrew Jack, + Peter Morando, + Peter Lion, + Sampson Cuff, + Dick Freedom, + Bomp McCuff. + + Boston, 24th April, 1851. + + DEAR FRIEND NELL: + + The names of the two brave men of Color who fell, with Ledyard, at the + storming of Fort Griswold, were Sambo Latham and Jordan Freeman. + + All the names of the slain, at that time, are inscribed on a marble + tablet, wrought into the monument--the names of the Colored Soldiers + last--and not only last, but a blank space is left between them and + the whites--in genuine keeping with the "Negro Pew" distinction; + setting them not only below all others, but by themselves--even after + that. + + And it is difficult to say why. They were not last in the fight. When + Major Montgomery, one of the leaders of the expedition against the + Americans, was lifted upon the walls of the fort by his soldiers, + flourishing his sword and calling on them to follow him, Jordan + Freeman received him on the point of a pike, and pinned him dead to + the earth. (Vide Hist. Collections of Connecticut.) And the name of + Jordan Freeman stands away down, last on the list of heroes, perhaps + the greatest hero of them all. + + Yours, with becoming indignation, + + PARKER PILLSBURY. + +Ebenezer Hills, died at Vienna, New York, August, 1849, aged 110. +He was born a Slave, in Stonington, Conn., and became free when +twenty-eight years of age. He served through the Revolutionary War, and +was at the battles of Saratoga and Stillwater, and was present at the +surrender of Burgoyne. + +The Colored inhabitants of Connecticut assembled in Convention in 1849, +to devise means for their elective franchise; a gentleman present +reports the following extract:--"A young man, Mr. West, of Bridgeport, +spoke with a great deal of energy, and with a clear and pleasant tone +of voice which many a lawyer, statesman, or clergyman might covet, +nobly vindicating the rights of the brethren. He said that the bones of +the Colored man had bleached on every battlefield where American valor +had contended for national independence. Side by side with the white +man, the black man stood and struggled to the last for the inheritance +which the white men now enjoy, but deny to us. His father was a soldier +Slave, and his master said to him when the liberty of the country was +achieved, 'Stephen, we will do something for you.' But what have they +ever done for Stephen, or for Stephen's posterity?" This orator is +evidently a young man of high promise, and better capable of voting +intelligently than half of the white men who would deny him a freeman's +privilege. + + + + +NEW HAMPSHIRE. + + +The Rev. Dr. Harris, of Dumbarton, N. H., a Revolutionary veteran, +stated in a speech at Francetown, N. H., some years ago, that on one +occasion the regiment to which he was attached was commanded to defend +an important position which the enemy thrice assailed, and from which +they were as often repulsed. "There was," said the venerable speaker, +"a regiment of blacks in the same situation--a regiment of negroes +fighting for our liberty and independence, not a white man among them +but the officers--in the same dangerous and responsible position. Had +they been unfaithful, or given way before the enemy, all would have +been lost. Three times in succession were they attacked with most +desperate fury by well-disciplined and veteran troops, and three times +did they successfully repel the assault, and thus preserve an army. +They fought thus through the war. They were brave and hardy troops." + +The anecdote of the Slave of General Sullivan, of New Hampshire, is +well-known. When his master told him that they were on the point of +starting for the army, to fight for liberty, he shrewdly suggested that +it would be a great satisfaction to know that he was indeed going to +fight for his liberty. Struck by the reasonableness and justice of this +suggestion, Gen. S. at once gave him his freedom. + + + + +VERMONT. + + + BARNET, May 20, 1851. + + DEAR SIR: + +In August 16th, 1777, the Green Mountain Boys, aided by troops from New +Hampshire, and some few from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, under the +command of Gen. Starks, captured the left wing of the British Army near +Bennington. Soon as arrangements could be made, after the prisoners +were all collected, something more than seven hundred, they were tied +to a rope, two and two, and one on each side. Gen. Starks called for +more rope. + +Mrs. Robinson, wife of Hon. Moses Robinson, said to the General, I +will take down the last bedstead in the house, and present the rope to +you, with one condition. When the prisoners are all tied to the rope, +you shall permit my negro man to harness up my old mare, and hitch the +rope to the whippletree, mount the mare, and conduct the British and +tory prisoners out of town. The General willingly accepted of Mrs. +Robinson's proposition. The negro mounted the mare and thus conducted +the left wing of the British Army into Massachusetts, on their way to +Boston. * * * * + +Gen. Schuyler writes from Saratoga, July 23, 1777, to the President of +Massachusetts Bay, "That of the few continental troops we have had to +the Northward, one third part is composed of men too far advanced in +years for field service--of boys, or rather children, and mortifying +barely to mention, of negroes." + +The General also addressed a similar letter to John Hancock, and again +to the provincial Congress, that the foregoing were facts which were +altogether uncontrovertible. * * * * * * + + Your Humble Servant, + + HENRY STEVENS. + + + + +NEW YORK. + + +Dr. Clarke, in the Convention which revised the Constitution of New +York, in 1821, speaking of the Colored inhabitants of the State, said: +"My honorable colleague has told us that as the Colored People are not +required to contribute to the protection or defence of the State they +are not entitled to an equal participation in the privileges of its +citizens. But, Sir, whose fault is this? Have they ever refused to do +military duty when called upon? It is haughtily asked, who will stand +in the ranks shoulder to shoulder with a negro? I answer, no one in +time of peace; no one when your musters and trainings are looked upon +as mere pastimes; no one when your militia will shoulder their muskets +and march to their trainings with as much unconcern as they would go to +a sumptuous entertainment or a splendid ball. But, Sir, when the hour +of danger approaches, your 'white' militia are just as willing that the +man of Color should be set up as a mark to be shot at by the enemy as +to be set up themselves. In the War of the Revolution, these people +helped to fight your battles by land and sea. Some of your States +were glad to turn out corps of Colored men, and to stand 'shoulder to +shoulder' with them. + +"In your late War they contributed largely towards some of your most +splendid victories. On Lakes Erie and Champlain, where your fleets +triumphed over a foe superior in numbers and engines of death, they +were manned in a large proportion with men of Color. And in this very +house, in the fall of 1814, a bill passed, receiving the approbation +of all the branches of your Government, authorizing the Governor to +accept the services of a corps of two thousand free people of Color. +Sir, these were times which tried men's souls. In these times it was +no sporting matter to bear arms. These were times when a man who +shouldered a musket did not know but he bared his bosom to receive a +death wound from the enemy ere he laid it aside; and in these times, +these people were found as ready and as willing to volunteer in your +service as any other. They were not compelled to go; they were not +drafted. No; your pride had placed them beyond your compulsory power. +But there was no necessity for its exercise; they were volunteers; +yes, Sir, volunteers to defend that very country from the inroads and +ravages of a ruthless and vindictive foe, which had treated them with +insult, degradation and Slavery." + +Volunteers are the best of soldiers; give me the men, whatever be their +complexion, that willingly volunteer, and not those who are compelled +to turn out. Such men do not fight from necessity, nor from mercenary +motives, but from principle. + +Said Martindale, of New York, in Congress, 22nd of first month, 1828: +"Slaves, or negroes who had been Slaves, were enlisted as soldiers in +the War of the Revolution; and I myself saw a battalion of them, as +fine martial looking men as I ever saw, attached to the northern army +in the last War, on the march from Plattsburg to Sackett's Harbor." + +It is believed that the debate on the military services of Colored men +was a prominent feature in granting them the right of suffrage, though +the ungenerous deed must also be recorded, that Colored citizens of +the Empire States were made subject to a property qualification of two +hundred and fifty dollars. + +I am indebted to Rev. Theodore Parker, of Boston, for the following +historical sketch of New York soldiery: + +"Not long ago, while the excavations for the vaults of the great +retail dry goods store of New York were going on in 1851, a gentleman +from Boston noticed a large quantity of human bones thrown up by the +workmen. Everybody knows the African countenance; the skulls also bore +unmistakable marks of the race they belonged to. They were shovelled up +with the earth which they had rested in, carried off and emptied into +the sea to fill up a chasm, and make the foundation of a warehouse. + +"On inquiry, the Bostonian learned that these were the bones of Colored +American soldiers, who fell in the disastrous battles of Long Island, +in 1776, and of such as died of the wounds then received. At that +day as at this, spite of the declaration that 'all men are created +equal,' the prejudice against the Colored man was intensely strong. +The black and white had fought against the same enemy, under the same +banner, contending for the same 'unalienable right' to life, liberty +and the pursuit of happiness. The same shot with promiscuous slaughter +had mowed down Africans and Americans. But in the grave they must be +divided. On the battle field the blacks and whites had mixed their +bravery and their blood, but their ashes must not mingle in the bosom +of their common mother. The white Saxon, exclusive and haughty even in +his burial, must have his place of rest proudly apart from the grave of +the African he had once enslaved. + +"Now, after seventy-five years have passed by, the bones of these +forgotten victims of the Revolution are shovelled up by Irish laborers, +carted off, and shot into the sea, as the rubbish of the town. Had +they been white men's relics, how would they have been honored with +sumptuous burial anew, and the purchased prayers and preaching of +Christian divines! Now they are the rubbish of the street! + +"True, they were the bones of Revolutionary soldiers; but they were +black men; and shall a city that kidnaps its citizens, honor a Negro +with a grave? What boots it that he fought for our freedom; that he +bled for our liberty; that he died for you and me! Does the 'Nigger' +deserve a tomb? Ask the American state--The American Church! + +"Three quarters of a century have passed by since the retreat from +Long Island. What a change since then! From the Washington of that +day to the world's Washington of this, what a change! In America what +alterations! What a change in England! The Briton has emancipated +every bondman; Slavery no longer burns his soil on either Continent, +the East or West. America has a population of Slaves greater than the +people of all England in the reign of Elizabeth. Under the pavement +of Broadway; beneath the walls of the Bazaar, there still lie the +bones of the Colored martyrs to American Independence. Dandies of +either sex swarm gaily over the threshold, heedless of the dead +African--contemptuous of the living. And while these faithful bones +were getting shovelled up and carted to the sea, there was a great +Slave-hunt in New York; a man was kidnapped and carried off to bondage, +by the citizens, at the instigation of politicians, and to the +sacramental delight of 'divines'. + +"Happy are the dead Africans, whom British death mowed down! They did +not live to see a man kidnapped in the city which their blood helped +free." + + + + +PENNSYLVANIA. + + +The late James Forten, of Philadelphia, well known as a Colored man +of wealth, intelligence and philanthropy, relates that he remembered +well when Lord Cornwallis was overrunning the South, when thick gloom +clouded the prospect. Then Washington hastily gathered what forces he +was able and hurried to oppose him. "And I remember," said he, "for +I saw them, when the regiments from Rhode Island, Connecticut, and +Massachusetts marched through Philadelphia, that one or two companies +of Colored men were attached to each. The vessels of War of that +period, were all, to a greater or less extent, manned with Colored +men. On board the 'Royal Louis,' of twenty-six guns, commanded by +Captain Stephen Decatur, senior, there were twenty Colored seamen. I +had myself enlisted on this vessel, and on the second cruise was taken +prisoner and shortly after was confined on board the old Jersey Prison +Ship, where I remained a prisoner for seven months. The Alliance, +of thirty-six guns, commanded by Commodore Barry; the Trumbull, of +thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain Nicholson; and the ships South +Carolina, Confederacy, and the Randolph, each were manned in part with +Colored men." + +The digression from military service to those rendered voluntarily +during the pestilence, seemed to me warrantable in this connection. + +In the autumn of 1793, the yellow fever broke out in Philadelphia, +with peculiar malignity. The insolent and unnatural distinctions of +caste were overturned and the people called Colored, were solicited in +the public papers to come forward, and assist the perishing sick. The +same mouth which had gloried against them in its prosperity, in its +overwhelming adversity implored their assistance. The Colored People +of Philadelphia nobly responded. The then Mayor, Matthew Clarkson, +received their deputation with respect, and recommended their course. +They appointed Absalom Jones and William Gray to superintend it, the +Mayor advertising the public, that by applying to them, aid could be +obtained. This took place about September. + +Soon afterwards the sickness increased so dreadfully that it became +next to impossible to remove the corpses. The colored people +volunteered this painful and dangerous duty--did it extensively, and +hired help in doing it. Dr. Rush instructed the two superintendents in +the proper precautions and measures to be used. + +A sick white man crept to his chamber window, and entreated the passers +by to bring him a drink of water. Several white men passed, but hurried +on. A foreigner came up--paused--was afraid to supply the help with his +own hands, but stood and offered eight dollars to whomsoever would. +At length, a poor colored man appeared; he heard--stopped--ran for +water--took it to the sick man; and then staid by him to nurse him, +steadily and mildly refusing all pecuniary compensation. + +Sarah Boss, a poor black widow, was active in voluntary and benevolent +services. + +A poor black man, named Sampson, went constantly from house to house +giving assistance everywhere gratuitously, until he was seized with the +fever and died. + +Mary Scott, a woman of Color, attended Mr. Richard Mason and his son, +so kindly and disinterestedly, that the widow, Mrs. R. Mason, settled +an annuity of six pounds upon her for life. + +An elderly black nurse, going about most diligently and affectionately, +when asked what pay she wished, used to say, "A dinner, Massa, some +cold winter's day." + +A young black woman was offered any price, if she would attend a white +merchant and his wife. She would take no money; but went, saying that, +if she went from holy love, she might hope to be preserved--but not if +she went for money. She was seized with the fever, but recovered. + +A black man, riding through the streets, saw a white man push a white +woman out of the house. The woman staggered forward, fell in the gutter +and was too weak to rise. The black man dismounted, and took her gently +to the hospital at Bush-hill. + +Absalom Jones and Wm. Gray, the Colored Superintendents, say, "A white +man threatened to shoot us if we passed by his house with a corpse. We +buried him three days afterwards." + +About twenty times as many black nurses as white were thus employed +during the sickness. + +The following certificate was subsequently given by the Mayor:-- + + "Having, during the prevalence of the late malignant disorder, had + almost daily opportunities of seeing the conduct of Absalom Jones and + Richard Allan, and the people employed by them to bury their dead, + I with cheerfulness give this testimony of my approbation of their + proceedings, as far as the same came under my notice. The diligence, + attention, and decency of deportment, afforded me at the time much + satisfaction. + + Signed, + + MATTHEW CLARKSON, Mayor. + + Philadelphia, June 23, 1794. + +On the capture of Washington by the British forces, it was judged +expedient to fortify, without delay, the principal towns and cities +exposed to similar attacks. The Vigilance Committee of Philadelphia +waited upon three of the principal Colored citizens, namely James +Forten, Bishop Allen, and Absalom Jones, soliciting the aid of +the people of Color in erecting suitable defences for the city. +Accordingly, two thousand five hundred Colored men assembled in the +State House yard, and from thence marched to Gray's ferry, where they +labored for two days, almost without intermission. Their labors were +so faithful and efficient, that a vote of thanks was tendered them by +the committee. A battalion of Colored troops were at the same time +organized in the city, under an officer of the United States army; +and they were on the point of marching to the frontier when peace was +proclaimed. + +A Colored man, whom I visited in the hospital, called to see me to-day. +He had just got out. He looked very pitiful. His head was bent down. He +said he could not get it erect, his neck was so injured. He is a very +intelligent man, and can read and write. I will give you his story. + +Charles Black, over fifty, resides in Lombard Street. Was at home +with his little boy unconscious of what was transpiring without. +Suddenly, the mob rushed into his room, dragged him down stairs, and +beat him so unmercifully that he would have been killed, had not some +humane individuals interposed and prevented further violence. He was +an impressed seaman on board an English sixty-four gun ship, in the +beginning of the War of 1812. When he heard of the war, he refused +to fight against his country, although he had nine hundred dollars +prize money coming to him from the ship. He was, therefore, placed +in irons, and kept a prisoner on board some time and then sent to the +well known Dartmoor prison. He was exchanged, and shipped for France. +Shortly after he was taken and sent back to Dartmoor--was exchanged +a second time, and succeeded in reaching the United States. He soon +joined the fleet on Lake Champlain, under M'Donough; was with him in +the celebrated battle which gave honor (?) to the American arms. He was +wounded, but never received a pension. His father was in the battle of +Bunker Hill, and his grandfather fought in the old French War. + + + + +NEW JERSEY. + +(From the Burlington (N. J.) Gazette.) + +"I AM ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD TO-DAY." + + +The attention of many of our citizens has doubtless been arrested by +the appearance of an old Colored man, who might have been seen sitting +in front of his residence, in East Union Street, respectfully raising +his hat to those who might be passing by. His attenuated frame, his +silvered head, his feeble movements, combine to prove that he is +very aged; and yet comparatively few are aware that he is among the +survivors of the gallant army who fought for the liberties of our +country, "in the days which tried men's souls." + +On Monday last we stopped to speak to him, and asked him how he was. He +asked the day of the month, and upon being told that it was the 24th +day of May, replied with trembling lips, "I am very old--I am a hundred +years old to-day." + +His name is Oliver Cromwell, and he says he was born at the Black +Horse (now Columbus) in this county, in the family of John Hutchin. +He enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Lowery, attached to the +2nd New Jersey Regiment, under the command of Colonel Isaac Shreve. +He was at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth +and Yorktown, at which latter place, he told us, he saw the last +man killed. Although his faculties are failing, yet he relates many +interesting reminiscences of the Revolution. He was with the army at +the retreat of the Delaware, on the memorable crossing of the 25th of +December, 1776, and relates the story of the battles on the succeeding +days with enthusiasm. He gives the details of the march from Trenton +to Princeton, and told us, with much humor, that they "knocked the +British about lively" at the latter place. He was also at the battle +of Springfield, and says that he saw the house burning in which Mrs. +Caldwell was shot, at Connecticut Farms. + + + + +SOUTH CAROLINA. + + +Even in the Slaveholding States did Colored people magnanimously "brave +the battle field," developing a heroism indeed as though their own +liberty was to be a recompense. But we found no proof that the boasted +chivalry of the Palmetto State extended the boon demanded by simple +justice. + +The celebrated Charles Pinckney, of South Carolina, in his speech on +the Missouri question, and in defiance of the Slave representation of +the South, made the following admission: + + "They (the Colored people) were in numerous instances the pioneers, + and in all the laborers of our armies. To their hands were owing the + greatest part of the fortifications raised for the protection of the + country. + + Fort Moultrie gave, at an early period of the experience an untried + valor of our citizens, immortality to the American arms." + + + + +VIRGINIA. + +THE LAST OF BRADDOCK'S MEN. + + +The Lancaster (Ohio) Gazette, February, 1849, announces the death at +that place, of Samuel Jenkins, a Colored man, aged 115 years. He was a +Slave of Captain Breadwater, in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 1771, and +participated in the memorable campaign of Gen. Braddock. + + * * * * * + +Testimony of Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, from his speech in Congress on +the imprisonment of Colored Seamen, Sept. 1850:-- + + * * * "I have an impression, however, that, not indeed in these + piping times of peace, but in the time of war, when quite a boy, I + have seen black soldiers enlisted, who did faithful and excellent + service. But however it may have been in the Northern States, I can + tell the Senator what happened in the Southern States at this period. + I believe that I shall be borne out in saying, that no regiments did + better service at New Orleans than did the black regiments which were + organized under the direction of Gen. Jackson himself, after a most + glorious appeal to the patriotism and honor of the people of Color of + that region and which, after they came out of the war, received the + thanks of Gen. Jackson in a proclamation which has been thought worthy + of being inscribed on the pages of history." + + + + +LOUISIANA. + + +In 1814, when New Orleans was in danger, and the proud and criminal +distinctions of caste were again demolished by one of those emergencies +in which nature puts to silence for the moment the base partialities of +art, the free Colored people were called into the field in common with +the whites; and the importance of their services was thus acknowledged +by Gen. Jackson:-- + + "Headquarters Seventh Military District, Mobile, + September 21, 1874. + + "To the Free Colored Inhabitants of Louisiana: + + Through a mistaken policy, you have heretofore been deprived of a + participation in the glorious struggle for national rights, in which + our country is engaged. This no longer shall exist. + + "As Sons of Freedom, you are now called upon to defend our most + inestimable blessings. As Americans, your country looks with + confidence to her adopted children for a valorous support, as a + faithful return for the advantages enjoyed under her mild and + equitable government. As fathers, husbands, and brothers, you are + summoned to rally around the standard of the Eagle, to defend all + which is dear in existence. + + "Your country, although calling for your existence, does not wish + you to engage in her cause without remunerating you for the services + rendered. Your intelligent minds are not to be led away by false + representations--your love of honor would cause you to despise the man + who should attempt to deceive you. With the sincerity of a soldier and + in the language of truth I address you. + + "To every noble-hearted free man of color, volunteering to serve + during the present contest with Great Britain, and no longer, there + will be paid the same bounty in money and lands, now received by + the white soldiers of the United States, namely, one hundred and + twenty-four dollars in money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. + The non-commissioned officers and privates will also be entitled to + the same monthly pay, daily rations and clothes furnished to any + American soldier. + + "On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major General commanding + will select officers, for your government, from your white fellow + citizens. Your non-commissioned officers will be appointed from among + yourselves. + + "Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freemen and soldiers. + You will not, by being associated with white men in the same corps, + be exposed to improper comparisons or unjust sarcasm. As a distinct, + independent battalion or regiment, pursuing the path of glory, you + will, undivided, receive the applause and gratitude of your countrymen. + + "To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions, and my anxiety to + engage your invaluable services to our country, I have communicated my + wishes to the Governor of Louisiana, who is fully informed as to the + manner of enrollments, and will give you every necessary information + on the subject of this address. + + Andrew Jackson, Major Gen. Commanding." + +The second proclamation is one of the highest compliments ever paid by +a military chief to his soldiers. + +On December 18, 1814, General Jackson issued, in the French language, +the following address to the free people of color: + + "Soldiers! When on the banks of the Mobile I called you to take up + arms, inviting you to partake the perils and glory of your white + fellow citizens, I expected much from you, for I was not ignorant that + you possessed qualities most formidable to an invading enemy. I knew + with what fortitude you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the + fatigues of a campaign. I knew well how you loved your native country, + and that you, as well as ourselves, had to defend what man holds most + dear--his parents, wife, children and property. You have done more + than I expected. In addition to the previous qualities I before knew + you to possess, I found among you a noble enthusiasm, which leads to + the performance of great things. + + "Soldiers! The President of the United States shall hear how + praiseworthy was your conduct in the hour of danger, and the + representatives of the American people will give you the praise your + exploits entitle you to. Your General anticipates them in applauding + your noble ardor. + + "The enemy approaches; his vessels cover our lakes; our brave citizens + are united, and all contention has ceased among them. Their only + dispute is, who shall win the prize of valor, or who the most glory, + its noblest reward. By order, Thomas Butler, Aide-de-Camp." + +The Pennsylvania Freeman, of March 10, 1851, heralds as follows: + + "The article below from the New Orleans Picayune, of a recent date, + revives an important historical fact, which, with similar evidence of + the devotion of free people of color, to their country's safety and + welfare, notwithstanding the injustice they have received from its + hands--the enemies of the colored people have been careful to conceal + in their calumnies against this injured people. Let those men read and + ponder it, who fear dangers to the nation from the presence in it of a + population of colored freemen, protected by law in the full possession + of all their rights. The incident narrated is also a burning rebuke + from a slave-holding community to the vulgar negro-hatred of the + North, which drives worthy colored men from popular processions, + parades, schools, churches, and the so-called 'respectable avocations + of life.' + + "The Free Colored Veterans.--Not the least interesting, although the + most novel feature of the procession yesterday (celebration of the + Battle of New Orleans,) was the presence of ninety of the colored + veterans who bore a conspicuous part in the dangers of the day they + were now for the first time called to assist in celebrating, and who, + by their good conduct in presence of the enemy, deserved and received + the approbation of their illustrious Commander-in-Chief. During the + thirty-six years that have passed away since they assisted to repel + the invaders from our shores, these faithful men have never before + participated in the annual rejoicings for the victory which their + valor contributed to gain. Their good deeds have been consecrated + only in their own memories, or lived but to claim a passing notice on + the page of the historian. Yet who more than they deserve the thanks + of the country and the gratitude of the succeeding generations? Who + rallied with more alacrity in response to the summons of danger? Who + endured the hardships of the camp, or faced with greater courage the + perils of the fight? If in that hazardous hour, when our homes were + menaced with the horrors of war, we did not disdain to call upon the + Colored population to assist in repelling the invading horde, we + should not when the danger is past, refuse to permit them to unite + with us in celebrating the glorious event which they helped to make + so memorable an epoch in our history. We were not too exalted to + mingle with them in the affray; they were not too humble to join in + our rejoicings. + + "Such we think is the universal opinion of our citizens. We conversed + with many yesterday and without exception they expressed approval of + the invitation which had been extended to the colored veterans to take + part in the ceremonies of the day, and gratification at seeing them in + a conspicuous place in the procession. + + "The respectability of their appearance and the modesty of their + demeanor made an impression on every observer and elicited unqualified + approbation. Indeed, though in saying so we do not mean disrespect + to any one else, we think that they constituted decidedly the most + interesting portion of the pageant, as they certainly attracted the + most attention." + +The editor, after further remarks upon the procession, adding of its +Colored members, "We reflected that, beneath their dark bosoms were +sheltered faithful hearts, susceptible of the noblest impulses," thus +alludes to the free Colored population of New Orleans: + + "As a class, they are peaceable, orderly, and respectable people, and + many of them own large amounts of property among us. Their interests, + their homes, and their affections, are here, and such strong ties + are not easily broken by the force of theoretical philanthropy, or + imaginative sentimentality. They have been true hitherto, and we will + not do them the injustice to doubt a continuance of their fidelity. + While they may be certain that insubordination will be promptly + punished, deserving actions will always meet with their due reward in + the esteem and gratitude of the community." + +Heroism Rewarded.--A correspondent of the New York Observer, writing +from the West, says:-- + + "Before leaving our boat, we must not omit to notice one of the + waiters in the cabin. He is a man of history. That tall, straight, + active, copper-colored man, with a sparkling eye and intelligent + countenance, was Col. Clay's servant at Buena Vista. Fearless of + danger, and faithful to his master, he attended the Colonel in + the midst of the fatal charge, saw him fall from his horse, and, + surrounded by the murderous Mexicans, at last carried the mangled dead + body from the field. The Hon. Henry, in gratitude for such fidelity + to his gallant son, has allowed this man to hire himself out for five + years, and to retain half the proceeds, and at the end of that time + gives him half his freedom." + +That is, a human being perils his life to save the life or bear off the +body of another human being, and for this act, he is to receive one +half of his own earnings, for five years, and at the end of that time, +to be made a present of to himself!--Boston Christian Register. + + + + +OHIO. + + +The colored citizens of Ohio held a Mass Convention at Cleveland, Sept. +8th, 1852. From their proceedings I cull the following incidents and +tributes as peculiarly appropriate to a military history of colored +Americans. + +Rev. Dr. J. W. C. Pennington delivered a speech, of which Mr. Howland, +a colored phonographic reporter, furnishes this sketch:-- + + "The Doctor took the stand and delighted the convention with a short, + brilliant and instructive address on the history of the past, and the + part which the colored people have taken in the struggles of this + nation for independence and its various wars since its achievement. + + "Mr. P. is a graduate of America's "Peculiar Institution." His + graduation fees were paid only very recently by the beneficence of + sundry English ladies and gentlemen; and his Doctorate of Divinity was + conferred on him by one of the German Universities. Dr. Pennington + claimed for his race the honor of being the first Americans whose + bosoms were fired by the spirit of American Independence. And that + claim, we think, he amply justified by documentary evidence. + + "He read sundry antique papers, collected by him with great pains from + the archives of the State of New York, showing, that some thousands + of Colored people in that State, thirty years before the Declaration + of Independence was promulgated, were charged by the King of Great + Britain with conspiring against his authority, attempting to throw + off their obedience to him, and seeking to possess themselves of the + Government of the Colony of New York. Some of them were banished, and + others hanged. Those Colored fathers of his, said the Rev. Doctor, + attributed their Slavery to King George, and maintained their rights + to freedom to be inviolable. + + "Subsequently, when the white fathers of our Revolution, walking in + the footsteps of their illustrious predecessors, declared against + Britain's King, they said to his Colored fathers: That King did make + you Slaves. Now come you and help us break his rule in this country, + and that done, we'll all be free together. + + "Dr. P. exhibited to the audience an autograph petition of the Colored + people of Connecticut to the Government of Connecticut, presented + immediately after the Revolutionary war, and praying that Government + to comply with the promise which had been made them of freedom, and + under which they had helped fight the battles of that war. + + "He read, also, an autograph paper of George Washington, dismissing + from the service of that war, with high recommendation of their + courage and efficiency, several Colored men; and also certificates of + a like character from numbers of officers, both naval and military, in + both wars with England. We wish we could give Dr. P.'s whole speech, + and especially in his own well-chosen words." + +The Convention then adjourned to join in the general jubilee, over some +of the events which Colored people have helped to make conspicuous. + +Thursday morning at sunrise, a salute was fired in the public square, +in honor of the day, by the "Cleveland Light Artillery," and another at +nine o'clock, as the procession formed, of which the orator of the day, +subsequently said: "They were the first thunders of artillery that ever +awaked the echoes of these hills, in honor of the Colored people. But +they shall not be the last." + +Says the "Daily True Democrat," of the 10th inst: + + "The principal feature in the ceremonials of this jubilee, was the + address of our fellow-citizen, Mr. William H. Day; a performance + worthy of its great purpose, and therefore most creditable to the + author. Not often have we heard an address listened to with so + absorbing an attention, nor observed an audience to be more deeply + moved, than was Mr. Day, by some parts of that address. After noticing + the day, the 9th of September, which had been selected for their + jubilation, and illustration as pre-eminent suitableness to the + occasion, by happy references to many illustrious events of which it + was the anniversary, Mr. Day addressed himself to an able vindication + of the claims of his race in this country, to an equal participation + in the exercise and enjoyment of those American rights which large + numbers of that race, in common with the men of fairer complexion, had + fought, suffered and died to establish. Behind the orator sat seven or + eight veteran Colored men. Mr. D.'s apostrophe to those veterans was + as touching as admirable, and produced a profound sensation." + +Among the speakers were several who took part in some of the battles of +the country. One of these men is Mr. John Julius, of Pittsburgh, Pa. + + + + +LAFAYETTE. + + +Among the Europeans who left their homes and rallied in defence of +American Independence, history records no more illustrious names than +Lafayette and Kosciusko. Not being tainted with American Colorphobia +they each expressed regret that their services had been made a partial +instead of a general boon. Read the extract from Lafayette's letter to +Clarkson:-- + + "I would never have drawn my sword in the cause of America, if I could + have conceived that thereby I was founding a land of Slavery." + +During his visit to the United States, in 1825, he made inquiries for +several Colored soldiers whom he remembered as participating with him +in various skirmishes. + + + + +KOSCIUSKO'S TRIBUTE TO COLORED SOLDIERS. + + +Kosciusko, the gallant Pole, was young when the news reached his ear +that America was endeavoring to release her neck from Britain's yoke. +He promptly devoted himself to the service, and displayed a heroism +which won universal respect. Washington loved and honored him, and +the soldiers idolized his bravery; but his manly heart was saddened +to learn that the Colored man was not to be a recipient of those +rights--rights, too, which many a sable soldier had fought to obtain, +and Kosciusko naturally presumed that when the victory was achieved, +all, irrespective of Color or accidental difference, would be freely +invited to the banquet. + +But this unsophisticated Polish General was doomed to disappointment. +Kosciusko, with the feeling that all Americans should have been proud +to exhibit--but, sad to tell, few did so--endeavored to render some +signal compensation to those with whose wrongs his own had taught +him to sympathize; and, as a grateful tribute to the neglected and +forgotten Colored man, he appropriated $20,000 of his hard earnings to +purchase and educate Colored children. But, by the laws of Virginia +where the bequest was to be carried into effect, this generous object +was defeated. + +On the last visit to the United States of this illustrious donor, the +will was put into the hands of Thomas Jefferson, who was appointed +Executor, to purchase slaves and educate them, so as, in his own words, +"to make them better sons and better daughters." Jefferson transferred +the same to Benjamin L. Lear. In 1830, the bequest then amounting +to $25,000 was claimed by the legal heirs of the donor. Interested +parties subsequently recommended that the fund, if recovered, should be +employed by the trustees in buying and educating Slave children, with +the view of sending them to Liberia; an object far enough at variance +from the donor's intention. + +This matter has been in litigation a long time, and I have been unable +to learn the conclusion. The chain of circumstances reminds me of the +following question, once put to a Florida planter of twenty-five years +standing:-- + + "Has any property left by will to any Colored person ever been + honestly and fairly administered by any white person?" Mark his + answer: "Such instances might possibly have happened, but never to my + knowledge." + +Within a recent period, several companies of Colored men in New York +City have enrolled themselves "a la militaire." The New York "Tribune" +of August, 1852, awards them the following commendation: + + "Colored Soldiers.--Among the many parades within a few days we + noticed yesterday a soldierly looking company of Colored men, on their + way homeward from a target or parade drill. They looked like men, + handled their arms like men, and should occasion demand, we presume + they would fight like men. + + "At the New Bedford celebration August 1, 1851, of British West India + Emancipation, the procession was escorted by a Colored Company of + Cadets from New York. Among the civilities extended in honor of the + day was an invitation to the military and strangers to visit the + splendid residence and ornamental grounds of James Arnold, Esq., + who, with his family, tendered the utmost kindness and courtesy in + exhibiting the beauties of nature and art that so lavishly adorn this + New Bedford palace. Rodney French, Esq., also with characteristic + courtesy threw open the doors of his hospitable mansion to the + military visitors, and a few invited guests. These voluntary + manifestations of good will, at once honorable to the donors and + grateful to the recipients should be accepted as a harbinger for a + better day coming. + + "A number of the chivalric portion of Colored Bostonians have also + been taking initiatory steps for a military company, and accordingly + petitioned the Legislature for a charter, the claims of which were + presented by Charles Lenox Remond and Robert Morris, Esq., but like + the prayers of the Attucks petitioners, they, too, had leave to + withdraw." + +"I can wait," were the memorable words of John Quincy Adams when his +free speech was stopped on the floor of Congress. + +The world will bear witness that we have waited; and oh, how patiently! +We have learned how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong; but +though familiar with we shall never grow reconciled to the discipline. +"Our hearts, though often times made to bleed, will gush afresh at +every wound." + +The treatment meted out to us in this country, is but an illustration +of hating those whom we have injured, and calls to mind that scene +from Waverly, where Fergus Mac Iver replies to his friend on being +led to execution. "You see the compliment they pay to our highland +strength and courage; here we have lain until our limbs are cramped +into palsy and now they send a file of soldiers with loaded muskets +to prevent our taking the castle by storm." The analogy is found in +the omnipresent and omnipotent influence of American Pro-Slavery in +crushing every noble aspiration of the unoffending Colored men. + +But despite the reign of terror inflicted upon us by the combined +influences of the Fugitive Slave Law, and the American Colonization +Society, we shall manfully contend for our rights, and as hopefully +bide our time, trusting that an enlightened public sentiment will soon +yield us the Justice so long withheld; so far as in Nature the smiles +of summer are made sweeter by the frowns of winter, the calm of ocean +is made more placid by the tempest that has preceded it, so in this +moral battle these incidental skirmishes will contribute to render the +hour of triumph soon a blissful realization. So sure as night precedes +day, winter wakes spring, and war ends with peace, just as sure will +the persevering efforts of Freedom's army be crowned with Victory's +perennial laurels. + +From the foregoing it will be seen that the seven years conflict and +also the war of 1812, were both dotted by the devotion and bravery of +Colored Americans, despite the persecutions heaped Olympus high upon +them by their fellow countrymen. They have ever proved loyal and ready +to worship or die, if need be, at Freedom's shrine. The "amor patriae" +has always burned vividly on the altar of their hearts. They love their +native land, "its hills and valleys green." The white man's banquet has +been held and loud paeans to liberty have reached the sky above, while +the Colored American's share has been to stand outside and wait for the +crumbs that fall from Freedom's festive board. + +A tribute, by an emancipator, being an extract from the will of A. P. +Upshur, a member of President Tyler's Cabinet: + + "I make this as my last will and testament: + + "1 * * * *-- + + "2 * * * *-- + + "3. I emancipate and set free, my servant, David Rich, and direct + my executors to give him one hundred dollars. I recommend him, in + the strongest manner, to the respect, esteem and confidence of any + community in which he may happen to live. He has been my Slave for + twenty-four years, during which time he has been trusted to every + extent, and in every respect. My confidence in him has been unbounded; + his relation to myself and family has always been such as to afford + him daily opportunities to deceive and injure us; and yet he has never + been detected in a serious fault, nor ever an intentional breach of + the decorums of his station. His intelligence is of a high order, his + integrity above all suspicion, and his sense of right and propriety + always correct and even delicate and refined. I feel that he is justly + entitled to carry this certificate from me, into the new relations + which he now must form. It is due to his long and most faithful + services and to the sincere and steady friendship which I bear him. In + the uninterrupted and confidential intercourse of twenty-five years, I + have never given, nor had occasion to give him, an unpleasant word. I + know no man who has fewer faults, or more excellencies, than he. + + Signed, A. P. UPSHUR." + + + + +[From the Alexandria, D. C., Gazette.] + +A TRIBUTE FROM THE EMANCIPATION, BY WASHINGTON'S FREED MEN. + + +Upon a recent visit to the tomb of Washington, I was much gratified +by the alterations and improvements around it. Eleven colored men +were industriously employed in leveling the earth and turf around +the sepulchre. There was an earnest expression of feeling about them +that induced me to inquire if they belonged to the respected lady of +the mansion. They stated they were a few of the many Slaves freed by +George Washington and they had offered their services upon this last +melancholy occasion, as the only return in their power to make to the +remains of the man who had been more than a father to them; and they +should continue their labors as long as anything should be pointed out +for them to do. I was so interested in this conduct that I inquired +their several names, and the following were given me: + + "Joseph Smith, Sambo Anderson, William Anderson, his son, Berkley + Clark, George Lear, Dick Jasper, Morris Jasper, Levi Richardson, Joe + Richardson, William Moss, William Hays and Nancy Squander, cooking for + the men--Fairfax County, Va., Nov. 14, 1835." + + + + +APPENDIX. + +[From Godey's Lady's Book, June, 1849.] + +ANECDOTES OF WASHINGTON. + +By Rev. Henry F. Harrington. + + +Primus Hall.--Throughout the Revolutionary war he was the body servant +of Col. Pickering, of Massachusetts. He was free and communicative and +delighted to sit down with an interested listener and pour out those +stories of absorbing and exciting anecdotes with which his memory was +stored. + +It is well known that there was no officer in the whole American army +whose friendship was dearer to Washington, and whose counsel was +more esteemed by him than that of the honest and patriotic Colonel +Pickering. He was on intimate terms with him, and unbosomed himself to +him with as little reserve as, perhaps, to any confidant in the army. +Whenever he was stationed within such a distance as to admit of it, he +passed many hours with the Colonel, consulting him upon anticipated +measures and delighting in his reciprocated friendship. + +Washington was, therefore, often brought into contact with the servant +of Col. Pickering, the departed Primus. An opportunity was afforded to +the Negro to note him, under circumstances very different from those +in which he is usually brought before the public and which possess, +therefore, a striking charm. I remember one of these anecdotes from the +mouth of Primus. One of them is very slight, indeed, yet so peculiar +as to be replete with interest. The authenticity of both may be fully +relied upon. + +Washington once came to Col. Pickering's quarters and found him absent. + +"It is no matter," said he to Primus, "I am greatly in need of +exercise. You must help me to get some before your master returns." + +Under Washington's directions the Negro busied himself in some simple +preparations. A stake was driven into the ground about breast high, a +rope tied to it, and then Primus was desired to stand at some distance +and hold it horizontally extended. The boys, the country over, are +familiar with this plan of getting sport. With true boyish zest, +Washington ran forward and backward for some time, jumping over the +rope as he came and went, until he expressed himself satisfied with the +"exercise." + +Repeatedly afterward, when a favorable opportunity offered he would +say--"Come, Primus, I am in need of exercise," whereat the Negro would +drive down the stake and Washington would jump over the rope until he +had exerted himself to his content. + +On the second occasion, the great General was engaged in earnest +consultation with Col. Pickering in his tent until after the night +had fairly set in. Headquarters were at a considerable distance and +Washington signified his preference to staying with the Colonel over +night, provided he had a spare blanket and straw. + +"Oh yes," said Primus, who was appealed to, "plenty of straw and +blankets--plenty." + +Upon assurance, Washington continued his conference with the Colonel +until it was time to retire to rest. Two humble beds were spread side +by side, in the tent, and the officers laid themselves down, while +Primus seemed to be busy with duties that required his attention +before he himself could sleep. He worked, or appeared to work, until +the breathing of the prostrate gentlemen satisfied him that they were +sleeping; and then, seating himself on a box or stool, he leaned his +head on his hands to obtain such repose as so inconvenient a position +would allow. In the middle of the night Washington awoke. He looked +about and descried the Negro as he sat. He gazed at him a while and +then spoke. + +"Primus!" said he calling, "Primus!" + +Primus started up and rubbed his eyes. "What, General?" said he. + +Washington rose up in bed. "Primus," said he, "what did you mean by +saying that you had blankets and straw enough! Here you have given up +your blanket and straw to me, that I may sleep comfortably, while you +are obliged to sit through the night." + +"It's nothing, General," said Primus. "It's nothing. I'm well enough. +Don't trouble yourself about me, General, but go to sleep again. No +matter about me. I sleep very good." + +"But it is matter--it is matter," said Washington, earnestly. "I cannot +do it, Primus. If either is to sit up, I will. But I think there is no +need of either sitting up. The blanket is wide enough for two. Come +and lie down with me." + +"Oh, no, General!" said Primus, starting, and protesting against the +proposition. "No; let me sit here. I'll do very well on the stool." + +"I say come and lie down here," said Washington, authoritatively. +"There is room for both and I insist upon it!" + +He threw open the blanket as he spoke, and moved to one side of the +straw. Primus professes to have been exceedingly shocked at the idea of +lying under the same covering with the commander-in-chief, but his tone +was so resolute and determined that he could not hesitate. He prepared +himself, therefore, and laid himself down by Washington; and on the +same straw, and under the same blanket, the General and the Negro +servant slept until morning. + + + + +BIBLIOGRAPHY AND AUTHORITIES. + + + John G. Whittier's Letter to the National Era. + July, 1847. + + Botta's History and Hewes' Reminiscences. + Boston Transcript, March, 1851. + + Ramsay's History of the American Revolution, + Vol. I. + + Speech of Hon. Anson Burlingame, October 13, + 1852. + + Suffolk Probate Record, published in the Liberator, + February, 1847. + + Speech of Hon. Wistam Burgess, January, 1828. + + Speech of Geo. Eustis, December 12, 1820. + + Thatcher's Military Journal, August 3, 1777. + + Speech of Dr. Clarke in N. Y. Constitutional Convention, + 1821. + + Speech of Congressman Martindale, January 21, + 1828. + + Sketch of Rev. Theodore Parker. + + Certificate of Mayor Matthew Clarkson, of Philadelphia, + June 23, 1794. + + Burlington (N. J.) Gazette. + + Speech of Hon. Charles Pinckney, of South Carolina. + + Lancaster (Ohio) Gazette, February, 1849. + + Speech of Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, September, + 1850. + + General Andrew Jackson's First Proclamation, + September 21, 1814. + + General Jackson's Second Proclamation, December + 18, 1814. + + The Pennsylvania Freeman, March 10, 1851, + (quoting from New Orleans Picayune.) + + Boston Christian Register, (quoting from the + N. Y. Observer.) + + Speech of Dr. J. W. C. Pennington, September 8, + 1852. + + Marquis de Lafayette's letter to Clarkson. + + General Kosciusko's Will. + + New York Tribune, August, 1852. + + Will of Hon. A. P. Upshur, Member of President + Tyler's Cabinet. + + Alexandria (Va.) Gazette. + + Godey's Lady's Book, June, 1849. + + + + + Transcribers Notes: + + Italics are shown thus: _sloping_. + + Small capitals have been capitalised. + + Punctuation has been preserved as it appears in the original + publication. + + Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. + + Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. + + Obvious typos were silently corrected. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Colored Americans in the Wars of 1776 +and 1812, by William C. Nell + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59344 *** |