Blacks in the Navy in the revolutionary war

Forty thousand African-American Soldiers died in the war: 10,000 in battle and 30,000 from illness or infection.

About 90,000 of them were former slaves from the Confederate states. Army - 10 percent of the total Union fighting force. While he wasn't the first African-American to receive the medal (Robert Blake, a Sailor, was presented the medal in 1864), his actions were the earliest to merit the nation's highest military medal for valor.īy the end of the Civil War, about 180,000 African-American men had served in the U.S.

Although severely wounded, Carney would survive the war and finally receive the Medal of Honor, May 23, 1900.

Carney crawled uphill on his knees bearing the Union flag, inspiring his fellow Soldiers to follow and never allowing the flag to touch the ground. However, with the help of the Marquis de Lafayette, who was his commander during the war, he petitioned for his freedom, which was granted in 1787.Īfter being shot in the thigh during the assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, July 18, 1863, Sgt. Despite his bravery in service, as a slave-spy he wasn't eligible for emancipation under the Act of 1783 for slave-Soldiers. Charles Cornwallis and Benedict Arnold allowed him to gain access and pass information that would lead to an American victory at the Battle of Yorktown. In recognition of African-American History Month, here's a look back at those brave Soldiers who broke barriers, saved lives, and paved the way for today's force.īorn into slavery, Lafayette served on behalf of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War as a double agent.

As a result of their sacrifices and intrepid spirits, today's highly capable and mission-ready Army leverages the strength of a diverse, all-volunteer force that includes more than 103,000 African-American Soldiers. Throughout the nation's history, African-Americans have served in uniform with honor and distinction during times of war and peace.

Blacks in the Navy in the revolutionary war