During the American Revolution African American men, both enslaved and free fought in the Continental Army. Black soldiers served in mostly integrated units at this time. The First Rhode Island Regiment is the most famous regiment that included African Americans during the American Revolution.
In 1778 the Rhode Island Assembly voted to allow “every able-bodied negro, mulatto, or Indian man slave in this state to enlist into either of the Continental Battalions being raised.” The assembly further stipulated that “every slave so enlisting shall, upon his passing muster before Colonel Christopher Greene, be immediately discharged from the service of his master or mistress, and be absolutely free.” Rhode Island Enslavers opposed this new law and in June 1778, the state repealed this provision. However, 100 African Americans enlisted during that four month period. Another 44 enlisted after June of 1778. In the end 144 African Americans enlisted in the First Rhode Island out of a total of 225.
Learn about some the African Americans who fought in the American Revolution below
African American Profiles
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 As the first victim of the Boston Massacre, Crispus Attucks became a symbol of the Black freedom struggle in the United States.  Caesar Ferrit, a Caribbean immigrant who fought at Lexington, Massachusetts alongside Patriot militia on April 19, 1775. Caesar settled in Natick, Ma and was said to have "the blood of four nations," African, Indigenous, French, and Dutch.  Cato Smith was an enslaved African who was brought to Massachusetts Bay from Ghana in 1761 at the age of 10. In 1775 he was enslaved to the family of Captain William Smith of Lincoln. On April 24, 1775 he enlisted in the Massachusetts Army as a soldier and served until the end of the year. He enlisted again in late summer 1776 and died in service on January 23, 1777  Peter Salem (1750-1816) grew up enslaved in Framingham, as did his mother. In early 1775, he was emancipated from his role as a farm worker for a short interim so that he could enlist in his former enslaver’s Framingham Minute Men company. His role in the Battle of Bunker Hill became a legend, though it did not help him as a veteran. Asaba was enslaved by of Lieutenant Thomas Grosvenor of Pomfret, Connecticut, and was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill near the rail fence. Titus Coburn enlisted in Shirley, Massachusetts into the company of Capt. Oliver Parker, in Col. William Prescott’s regiment and was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill in the redoubt.  Salem Poor has remained one of the very few fabled African American heroes of the Revolutionary War since 1775, due to his strength and stability at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Officers present at the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775) submitted a petition to General George Washington that described his outstanding abilities in battle.  Jude Hall enlisted in Exeter, New Hampshire into Capt. Jacob Hinds' company, in Col. James Reed’s regiment, and was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill.  Prince Dunsick was an African man, kidnapped as a child, enslaved in Massachusetts, and enlisted in the Continental Army. His story is representative of so many forgotten soldiers of African descent, who fought in the American Revolution on behalf of a nation that didn't always recognize them.
Articles
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 Say their names.
These (out of thousands) are the names of men who were verified to have served in military units associated with American Fort Schuyler and therefore, the most likely to have served at the fort or in the Mohawk Valley at some point during the war.  Patriot Minorities at the Battle of Cowpens How many men of color from Massachusetts fought in the American Revolution? How many were free? How many were enslaved? How many men of color served on April 19, and from which towns? Examine how changing Massachusetts laws concerning the enlistment of men of color in the military affected their opportunities to serve during the Revolution as well as their chances of being emancipated, if enslaved.
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