"From Slaves to Soldiers: The 1st Rhode Island Regiment..." Topic

… in the American Revolution.

"In December 1777, the Continental army was encamped at Valley Forge and faced weeks of cold and hunger, as well as the prospect of many troops leaving as their terms expired in the coming months. If the winter were especially cruel, large numbers of soldiers would face death or contemplate desertion. Plans were made to enlist more men, but as the states struggled to fill quotas for enlistment, Rhode Island general James Mitchell Varnum proposed the historic plan that a regiment of slaves might be recruited from his own state, the smallest in the union, but holding the largest population of slaves in New England. The commander-in-chief's approval of the plan would set in motion the forming of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The "black regiment," as it came to be known, was composed of indentured servants, Narragansett Indians, and former slaves. This was not without controversy. While some in the Rhode Island Assembly and in other states railed that enlisting slaves would give the enemy the impression that not enough white men could be raised to fight the British, owners of large estates gladly offered their slaves and servants, both black and white, in lieu of a son or family member enlisting. The regiment fought with distinction at the battle of Rhode Island, and once joined with the 2nd Rhode Island before the siege of Yorktown in 1781, it became the first integrated battalion in the nation's history. In From Slaves to Soldiers: The 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution, historian Robert A. Geake tells the important story of the "black regiment" from the causes that led to its formation, its acts of heroism and misfortune, as well as the legacy left by those men who enlisted to earn their freedom."

See here
link

Amicalement
Armand

There is so much wrong with what is written in the blurb that it makes me wonder whether the blurb was written by someone who didn't read or understand the book, or, if written by the author, it does not bode well for the content of the book.

Wasn't there another book written about this unit? Seems that AWI Regimental histories are in vogue lately.

79thPA, please relate what errors you find in the blurb, for the less aware among us. I'd like to know. Can't find a review of the book anywhere. The author seems to be a Rhode Island specialist rather than a military one.

I am withholding judgment until the book comes out and we see what the author has to say on the subject.

IIRC Gen. Varnum did not suggest raising units of ex-slaves but, rather, in response to Rhode Island's difficulty in reaching its state troop quota, suggested that there were enough slaves in Rhode Island to make up the numbers.

The commander-in-chief (Washington) did not endorse the idea -- he simply passed Varnum's suggestion on to the governor of Rhode Island.

The regiment was composed of much more than "indentured servants … (and) former slaves). Two companies of Black troops were raised and kept segregated from the White companies of the unit.

Former slaves were only recruited for four months of the regiment's life, so as sickness, disease and casualties reduced the strength of the Black companies, they were not replaced with other Black troops but, rather, with White troops, which made segregated companies untenable, resulting in an integrated unit.

Slave owners did not embrace the recruitment of ex-slaves and they were instrumental in getting the law repealed that allowed slaves to enlist. Slave owners -- even in Rhode Island -- were afraid of servile insurrection, as well as former slaves having access to and training in military arms.

The story of Black troops in the AWI needs to be told and, in general, has been largely ignored by history. That said, the blurb may have been written by some PR hack. I am sure I will end up reading the book (or trying to) anyway.

Good choise my friend… (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

They certainly ended up better than the royal ethiopians!

The author writes a lot about Rhode Island history. Hopefully he uses primary sources.

A tour guide in the Trenton Barracks claimed many who served went back into slavery, they did not get their freedom. Can't vouch for the accuracy of that claim.

The unique story of this unit does make me curious about the book. I know Old Glory 25s Has this unit in their AWI line.

The regiment was composed of much more than "indentured servants … (and) former slaves). Two companies of Black troops were raised and kept segregated from the White companies of the unit.

I've read 140 out of 250 or so all ranks were black, at most. A lot of the misunderstanding about the unit comes from von Closen's claim that over three quarters of the unit was black, which it never was (and certainly not by the time he saw it, as both RI regiments had amalgamated by then).

One book I read stated that many of the slaves were purchased from S. Carolina to meet the recruitment quota.