One of the most famous units was the 1 st Rhode Island Regiment. Standing shoulder to shoulder, an ethnically diverse soldiery formed. From free and enslaved Blacks, to Native Americans, native born colonists, to foreign recruits, Washington's integrated army was a diverse and unique fighting force for a long and grueling eight-year war. The integrated army in the Revolution was the last integrated American army until the Korean War nearly 175 years later in 1950. Cuffee Wells is just one example. Wells was a surgeon in the Continental Army and after his service in the Revolution, he paid his enlistment bounty to his former master and lived the rest of his life as a free man in Lebanon, Connecticut. After the war, many Blacks gave their pensions and enlistment bounties to their former masters as a payment for their freedom. Many Blacks who fought and were enslaved fought for their freedom and independence as a person of color. ![]() ![]() Within two months, however, Washington reversed this decision, and despite many attempts to block Blacks from serving their country, hundreds of Blacks enlisted nonetheless. In November of 1775, Washington barred the enlistment of free Blacks and slaves. The main military force, which coalesced under General George Washington as the Continental Army, was not an integrated army until 1776. Colonel William Prescott's militia held their own until ammunition ran low, repulsing the British from Bunker Hill. Peter Salem was a freed slave from Massachusetts who is known for mortally wounding British Major John Pitcairn during the fighting at Bunker Hill. Included in their ranks of 2,400 were approximately 120 Black militiamen, including Peter Salem. The defenders were a motley collection of colonists, from various New England colonies. On June 17, 1775, as British redcoats marched up the heights of Bunker Hill outside of Boston, Massachusetts, they were met with a hail of musketry from the defenders of the earthen redoubt. Saved Land Browse Interactive Map View active campaigns.Help Save 52 Hallowed Acres at Three Virginia Battlefields.Help Protect 52 Threatened Acres in Virginia, Georgia and Mississippi.Phase Three of Gaines’ Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign.Send Students on School Field Trips to Battlefields – Your Gift Tripled!. ![]()
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