First Rhode Island Regiment
Discover the contributions of 8,000 Black men in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, as well as the service of 20,000 Black men in the British Army!
In 1775, Washington excluded Black soldiers from recruitment in the Continental Army, while the British actively recruited enslaved men with promises of freedom. Troop shortages due to disease and desertion led Washington to request support, and General Varnum of Rhode Island urged him to allow Black enlistment.
George Washington letter to Rhode Island Governor (1776-10-12) by Washington, George, 1732-1799Rhode Island State Archives
George Washington letter to RI Governor, October 12, 1776
Previously opposed to having Black men in his armies as he himself was a slave owner, Washington relented after seeing the reality of the low recruitment numbers.
While he didn’t outright state his support for the idea, he forwarded Varnum’s message to Rhode Island’s governor, Nicholas Cooke, requesting that Cooke do everything in his power to provide any assistance that would help to fulfill draft quotas.
Slave Enlistment Act, February 14, 1778
In the first few months after the act was passed, over 130 free and formerly enslaved men joined the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, becoming the first Black military regiment in America.
Slave owners across the country opposed this legislation, fearful of newly armed formerly enslaved men. To prevent desertions, slave owners would insist that enslaved men would purposely be given the most dangerous assignments and be used as a sacrifice in battle.
Accounts of Negro Slaves Enlisted into Continental Battalion
While there was no record of an outcry or specific issues within the regiment, Rhode Islanders who did not support the Act voted out over half of the legislators who enacted the Slave Enlistment Act.
Accounts of negro slaves enlisted into Continental Battalions (1778) by Rhode Island (Colony) General assemblyRhode Island State Archives
Ultimately, the Slave Enlistment Act was repealed only four months later, leading to any additional volunteers enlisting for service in the Continental Army as primarily white or free Black men.
Battle of Rhode Island map folder Battle of Rhode Island map: Full Map View #1 (1778) by United States. Continental ArmyRhode Island State Archives
These new soldiers had little training and were not allowed to use guns or participate in militia exercises before facing their first battle. Meanwhile, the British had begun occupying Newport in 1776, and in August 1778, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment was assigned there where they faced combat for the first time in the Battle of Rhode Island.
Battle of Rhode Island map folder Battle of Rhode Island map: Closeup #1 (1778) by United States. Continental ArmyRhode Island State Archives
In the first joint operation between French and American forces, French fighters attempted to help remove British forces. After a storm damaged multiple French ships and with the arrival of additional British troops, American and French troops were forced to retreat from Newport.
Battle of Rhode Island map folder Battle of Rhode Island map: Closeup #3 (1778) by United States. Continental ArmyRhode Island State Archives
While the battle was ultimately lost, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment were able to drive back three Hessian regiments (German forces serving with the British army), proving to many that they were worthy of fighting for the war.
Battle of Rhode Island map folder Battle of Rhode Island map: Closeup #7 (1778) by United States. Continental ArmyRhode Island State Archives
Their bravery during the battle earned them a special mention of honor from American commander General John Sullivan. By October of 1779, the British withdrew from Newport so they could deploy their troops further South.
After the Slave Enlistment Act was repealed, segregated companies slowly gave way to fully integrated regiments as the numbers of Black men dwindled. Even still, many formerly enslaved men would go on to serve until the end of the war, making them some of the most experienced soldiers in the entire Continental Army.
Receipt for payment to Jack Little for his service in the Continental Army (1782)Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
In 1781, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment consolidated with the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment and becoming the Rhode Island Regiment. The Rhode Island Regiment was sent to the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, the battle which led to the end of the war and British surrender.
At the end of 1783, the regiment was disbanded.
Drawing of Gaspee monument (18th Century) by UnknownRhode Island State Archives
A monument was erected in Patriots’ Park in Portsmouth, Rhode Island with a list of names of the Black and Indigenous men who joined and, as inscribed on the monument, is “in honor of the first black slaves and freemen who fought in the Battle of Rhode Island as members of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.”
