02: Revolutionary America

African Americans who had been fighting in Massachusetts were grandfathered into the army after new rules went into effect on July 10, 1775, which barred both free and enslaved black Americans from enlistment. 

Records show that only about 5,000 black soldiers fought for American independence with the army over the eight years of war. But we also must remember that the Continental Army was never larger than 15,000 strong at any given time, and that the army became divided into four separate entities by 1780: northern, main, southern, and western. Having a detachment of three hundred men with less than fifty of whom were black is not insignificant, nor should we assume it was that way for purely racial reasons. 

, but a sizable amount, particularly those who were enslaved, were signed up by their masters to serve in their place.

Despite the ban of enlisting slaves into the army, those serving in place of their masters were taken. When policies loosened, and individual states began recruiting whoever they could get to satisfy muster rolls for the army, more enslaved people filled the ranks of the army.

<p>Present me in the most friendly terms to Mr. Cosway, and receive me into your own recollection with a partiality and a warmth, proportioned, not to my own poor merit, but to the sentiments of sincere affection and esteem with which I have the honour to be, my dear Madam, your most obedient humble servant,</p> <div class="closer"> <p class="signed"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Th: Jefferson</span></p></div>

have spread the infection of the smallpox through all parts of the town, nothing but the utmost caution on our part, can prevent that fatal disease from spreading thro’ the army, and country, to the infinite detriment of both—His Excellency expressly commands every Officer, to pay the exactist obedience to this order.

Head quarters. Morris Town. 3d March 1777.

Robert Combs, a Tavernkeeper in Pennytown, can inform you of a Rape committed on the Wife & Daughter of one Jno. Christopher by the Enemy while they lay there. Philip Parmer’s daughter was also ravished by six soldiers in that Neighbourhood—Thomas Keynes daughter was treated in the same manner.

Our innoculated Soldiers have the disorder much lighter than could be reasonably expected: From present appearances We shall not loose a Man.

The celebrated M<span style="font-size: 80%; line-height: 0.8; vertical-align: super">r.</span> Otis [is dead.] He was killed at his Door in Andover by a [stroke of?] lightening in an instant. For 2. years past he had been very rational &amp; began to do business— He had been rather irregular a few Months before his Death, but had become <a id="ADMS-06-15-02-pb-0220"></a>very steady again just before this fatal Accident—

James Otis, who long struggled with mental illness, died on 23 May 1783 at the Andover home of Isaac Osgood, where he resided as a convalescent for most of the last two years of his life

I think not insurmountably increased, if the Gentlemen in their several counties wou’d be at some pains to explain matters to the people, &amp; stimulate them to a cordial agreement to purchase none but certain innumerated articles out of any of the Stores after such a period, nor import nor purchase any themselves. This, if it did not effectually withdraw the Factors from their Importations, wou’d at least make them extremely cautious in doing it, as the prohibited Goods could be vended to none but the non-associater, or those who wou’d pay no regard to their association; both of whom ought to be stigmatized, and made the objects of publick reproach.

such an alteration in the System of my living, will create suspicions of a decay in my fortune, &amp; such a thought the world must not harbour;

Among the slaves who fled to Dunmore’s side were several who belonged to Joseph Hutchings.