a free black from portsmouth, virginia, that fought at great bridge, virginia, in december 1775. it was reported that he stood bravely “amid a shower of musket balls,” firing at the british at least eight times. he was part of a group that kept the attackers from successfully crossing the bridge.

the royal ethiopian regiment was comprised of african

americans who accepted lord dunmore’s proclamation and fled to form the royal ethiopian regiment. nearly 800 men carried muskets, and wore shirts that read “liberty to slaves.” this regiment fought at kemp’s landing and great bridge, virginia, and served as laborers and guards.

many free blacks, and some white colonists, joined the regiment of about 200 men. in january 1780, the first regiment was combined with the second, creating one racially-mixed unit of almost 450 men

one of the men shot and killed at the boston massacre on march 5, 1770. historians believe that he was born to an enslaved father and a native american mother. he may have been an escaped slave.

became the first african american woman, and the first slave, to publish a book of patriotic poetry.

a former slave that fought for the british with the royal ethiopian regiment. later in new jersey, he led a number of unofficial soldiers on raids and assassinations. he became widely known, and was greatly feared, by new jersey patriots

a slave that volunteered to spy for the continental army commander general lafayette. he soon became a servant to british general lord cornwallis, who asked him to spy on the americans! as a double agent, he gave unimportant information to cornwallis, while keeping lafayette informed about british troop strength and positions.

was a 15-year-old free black who served as a powder boy on the ship royal louis, preying on british shipping. on his second cruise, the ship was battered by three british naval vessels and forced to surrender. as a prisoner, he struck up a friendship with the british captain’s son, who persuaded his father to offer the captured teenager a life of ease in england. he refused, declaring he would not be a traitor to his country. after seven months, he was set free in an exchange of prisoners.

1.
james forten

2.
royal ethiopian regiment

3.
james armistead

4.
crispus attucks

5.
phyllis wheatley

6.
rhode island regiment

7.
william flora

8.
colonel tye