Movements of Ex-Slaves
The presence of slaves and freedmen complicated the once black and white patriotism and loyalty of the colonies. Even though the British offered ways to obtain freedom by serving its army, there were still slaves and freedmen who were not only against the British, but aided the effort of the colonies in defeating the country.
Cuff Whitemore and Peter Salem were two men of African descent known for their heroics in battle against the British. Whitemore got injured but didn't leave the battlefield until a retreat was called. Salem was given a musket despite being African and proved himself to be an excellent marksman for the colonies. He gained fame for killing a British Major in one battle, and was present in many others. It is said he belonged to Mr. Groton, but it is not clear if that is to be interpreted as a commander or his owner. In any case, he lived freely in Massachusetts after the war until he died in a poor-house in Framingham.* There were also instances before the war where African Americans aided in the effort aside from fighting in the war. A black woman who worked in an inn recognized two British spies in 1775 and confronted them, revealing their identities. A black man was also heard saying one inn was run by “a good liberty man” and the other was run by “a wicked tory.”*
Despite these acts of patriotism, many slaves still escaped their bondage to fight on the side of the British. Though many died of disease before they could fight long enough to earn their freedom. Their numbers dwindled quickly, but their presence was still known. One free man acted as a spy for almost two years before he was discovered. He was hanged, but British soldiers came in enough time to free him and save his life.*
*1 Kaplan, Sidney, and Emma Nogrady Kaplan. The Black Presence in the Era of the American Revolution. Univ of Massachusetts Press, 1989. Pgs. 20-21.
*2 Ibid. Pg. 17.
*3 Horne, Gerald. The Counter-Revolution of 1776. New York University Press, 2014. Pgs. 237-240, 246.