Following the Revolution, a sticking point to the drafting of the Constitution was the question of slavery. It was difficult to understand how a war for liberty could be fought while many on American soil lived in bondage. The underlying problems, however, went as far back as the American Revolution. Abraham Lincoln had won election in 1860 on an anti-slavery platform. To this day, the American Civil War remains the bloodiest conflict in U.S. The next great war, perhaps the most terrible in America’s history, came in 1861 when Southern states attempted to secede from the Union. Unfortunately, their sacrifice went unrewarded, when after the battle, Andrew Jackson reneged on his promise and sent enslaved men back to their masters. Around 900 freemen and slaves fought at the Battle of New Orleans. At the Battle of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson promised free Black men who joined him equivalent pay to their white counterparts, while enslaved men were promised freedom. It is an undisputed fact, however, that there were Black combatants in these national conflicts. Many of the smaller wars in the 19th century have limited records of service members wars such as the War of 1812 and the Seminole Wars. At the Battle of Newport in 1778, the regiment fought so fiercely one of the Hessian officers resigned his commission rather than leading his men against the 1st Rhode Island. The regiment earned a reputation for bravery and ferocity. One particular unit, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, drove George Washington to agree to allow Black Soldiers who were slaves, to earn freedom through service. These men served in the artillery (the most advanced branch of service during the period), the infantry, as laborers, and even musicians. Army History Office estimates around 5,000 warriors in the American Revolution were Black. It will also explore how the military valor of African Americans helped end limited martial involvement and segregated military service.īlack service members have fought in every single American conflict. This discussion will investigate the numerous examples of Black military service, with Black Americans fighting in every United States conflict from the American War for Independence to present day. With the recent events in 2020, it is important to look back over the events that have been pivotal in breaking down racial barriers.

Ranks in the civil war navy