Read on Twitter
The Rhode Island Regiment fought in the Battle of Yorktown 1781, the battle which led to the British surrender, ending the war.
This regiment was a combination of the First and Second Rhode Island.
The First Rhode Island, formed just 4 years earlier, was black, mullato, Native
This regiment was a combination of the First and Second Rhode Island.
The First Rhode Island, formed just 4 years earlier, was black, mullato, Native
& white in varying configurations.
The Battle of Fort Mercer, New Jersey, October 22, 1777, under Colonel Christopher Green's Rhode Island Regiment, inflicted heavy losses on Hessian soldiers, and was a win for Patriots when many other battles were lost.
The Battle of Fort Mercer, New Jersey, October 22, 1777, under Colonel Christopher Green's Rhode Island Regiment, inflicted heavy losses on Hessian soldiers, and was a win for Patriots when many other battles were lost.
The Battle of Fort Mercer is also known as the Battle of Red Bank.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Red_Bank
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Red_Bank
The 1st RI then welcomed ex-slaves w/ white officers but soon became mixed. However, it had so many blacks it was known as The Black Regiment.
The new configuration received its baptism of fire at the battle of Rhode Island (Newport) on August 29, 1778, successfully defeating 3
The new configuration received its baptism of fire at the battle of Rhode Island (Newport) on August 29, 1778, successfully defeating 3
assaults from overwhelming veteran Hessian troops, though the overall battle was lost to the British.
The 1st RI held the line for 4 hours against British regulars & Hessian forces, allowing the Patriot army under General Sullivan to successfully retreat.
https://revolutionarywar.us/year-1778/battle-rhode-island/
The 1st RI held the line for 4 hours against British regulars & Hessian forces, allowing the Patriot army under General Sullivan to successfully retreat.
https://revolutionarywar.us/year-1778/battle-rhode-island/
...more to come...please be patient...
Perhaps the video above partially explains how the Battle of Pines’s Bridge, May 14th 1781, became so famous.
A loyalist militia caught Colonel Greene and the Rhode Island Regiment by surprise.
Eight black soldiers reportedly “defended their beloved Col. Greene so well...
A loyalist militia caught Colonel Greene and the Rhode Island Regiment by surprise.
Eight black soldiers reportedly “defended their beloved Col. Greene so well...
that it was only over their dead bodies that the enemy reached and murdered him.”
Greene was then mutilated, supposedly in retaliation for leading black troops.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pine%27s_Bridge
(photo by Minard38)
Greene was then mutilated, supposedly in retaliation for leading black troops.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pine%27s_Bridge
(photo by Minard38)
At the siege of Yorktown, on the night of October 14, 1781,
The First Rhode Island Regiment participated in the assault and capture of Redoubt 10.
Four days later, Cornwallis surrendered.
On close look, this 1840 painting of Redoubt 10 appears to show blacks on both sides.
The First Rhode Island Regiment participated in the assault and capture of Redoubt 10.
Four days later, Cornwallis surrendered.
On close look, this 1840 painting of Redoubt 10 appears to show blacks on both sides.
Founding Father Alexander Hamilton commanded the Patriots attacking Redoubt 10 with only 400 men and no loaded weapons.
Instead, our troops fixed their bayonets and attacked silently at night to avoid the cannons & spiked trees.
They won the massive redoubt in ten minutes.
Instead, our troops fixed their bayonets and attacked silently at night to avoid the cannons & spiked trees.
They won the massive redoubt in ten minutes.
The First Rhode Island Regiment was one of the few units in the Continental Army to serve through the entire war, from the siege of Boston to the disbanding of the Continental Army on November 3, 1783.
http://www.revolutionarywarjournal.com/lt-john-mansfield-of-the-connecticut-line-commanded-the-forlorn-hope-at-the-battle-of-yorktown/
(“Storming Redubt Number 10...” by Mark Beerdom)
http://www.revolutionarywarjournal.com/lt-john-mansfield-of-the-connecticut-line-commanded-the-forlorn-hope-at-the-battle-of-yorktown/
(“Storming Redubt Number 10...” by Mark Beerdom)
Afternote:
The win at the Battle of Yorktown catapulted Hamilton,
who was an orphan with no connections,
to political stardom.
But he couldn’t have won without the bravery of
The Rhode Island Regiment
and its white, black, Native, & mixed-race soldiers.
- THE END -
The win at the Battle of Yorktown catapulted Hamilton,
who was an orphan with no connections,
to political stardom.
But he couldn’t have won without the bravery of
The Rhode Island Regiment
and its white, black, Native, & mixed-race soldiers.
- THE END -
