First Rhode Island Regiment — Black Soldiers Who Fought for American Independence 

Continental Soldiers • Black Soldiers • Revolutionary Patriots

These two images bring together the soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and the battlefield where their service helped shape the final campaign of the Revolution. The painting of a Black soldier represents the African American men who served within the regiment, while Jean-Baptiste-Antoine DeVerger’s 1781 illustration places a Black Continental soldier among the diverse forces gathered at Yorktown. Together, the images challenge the idea that Black military service was a minor or separate part of the Revolution. They represent men who served as Continental soldiers, fought alongside other Americans, and ultimately stood among the forces that helped bring the war to its decisive conclusion. Their story reveals a military unit whose composition changed as the war demanded more of those willing to serve.

Overview:

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment (1778 - 1783)  was a military unit that served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Formed in 1775, it became known as the “Black Regiment” after 1778, when Rhode Island allowed enslaved and free Black men to enlist. In return, enslaved men who joined were promised freedom. This led to more than 140 Black soldiers joining the regiment. Although it was not entirely Black, at approximately 62%, it had one of the largest groups of African American soldiers in the war. The regiment fought in battles in the northern colonies, including the Battle of Rhode Island. Later, it joined with 2nd Rhode Island Regiment to form the Rhode Island Regiment.  The Rhode Island Regiment participated at the Battle of Yorktown, the final major battle that secured independence from Britain.

The story of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment is not often shown in major films, but it appears in reenactments and documentaries about the American Revolution. Living history groups today work to show the important role of Black soldiers in the war. These reenactments help bring attention to a unit that is often left out of textbooks and movies. Educational programs and museums also highlight the regiment to give a more complete picture of the Revolution. By including these soldiers, modern storytelling helps correct the idea that the fight for independence involved only white Americans. 

Quick Facts:

• Formed in 1775 as part of the Continental Army

• Recruited African American soldiers starting in 1778

• Included both free and formerly enslaved men

• Enslaved men were promised freedom for service

• Had about 225 soldiers, including around 140 Black men

• Fought in the Battle of Rhode Island (1778)

• Later merged with the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment to become The Rhode Island Regiment

• Took part in the Battle of Yorktown

• One of the most diverse units in the Revolutionary War

• Sometimes called the “Black Regiment”

Primary Source Spotlight: The Law That Opened the Ranks

Legislation Allowing Enslaved Men to Enlist in Rhode Island's Continental Battalions

Passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly on February 14, 1778, this legislation allowed enslaved Black, Indigenous, and mixed-race men to enlist in the Continental battalions being raised by Rhode Island. The law provided that those who passed muster would be released from enslavement and become free. It also established compensation for enslavers and procedures for determining the value of those who enlisted. The measure provided the legal foundation for the formation of the First Rhode Island Regiment, one of the most notable Black military units of the Revolutionary War. 

The images shown here include three sheets containing the legislation and a fourth sheet serving as the document's docket or cover sheet. The handwriting and condition of the original documents make some portions difficult to read at this size. Visitors can consult the Rhode Island repository to examine the complete documents more closely.

Slave Enlistment Act, February 14, 1778. Legislative Document. Rhode Island General Assembly. Courtesy of the Rhode Island Department of State.

Roll Book of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, 1781-1783

This page from the regiment’s roll book provides a closer look at the men who actually served in the First Rhode Island Regiment. Each row records information about an individual soldier, including his name, age, occupation, birthplace, residence, hair and skin color, and enlistment. The entries show that the regiment included men of African, Indigenous, and mixed ancestry. Men of mixed ancestry are identified in the record with terms such as “mulatto” or “mustee.” The abbreviation “Do,” meaning “ditto” or “as above,” indicates that a description is the same as the entry above. Because written records about many of these soldiers are scarce, the roll book offers valuable details about their lives and military service. It also records information about the regiment’s supplies, honors, casualties, and other activities. Courtesy of the Rhode Island Department of State. 

Why This Story Matters:

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment matters because it shows that Black soldiers played a major role in the fight for American independence. Many of these men were enslaved and chose to fight in hopes of gaining freedom. Their service challenges the idea that the Revolution was fought only by white colonists. It also shows how the promise of freedom was used during the war, even though not all promises were kept. These soldiers fought bravely, even while facing discrimination and danger. Their story helps us better understand the complexity of the American Revolution and the role race played in it. Learning about this regiment helps complete the story of who fought to create the nation. 

Legacy:

The legacy of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment is one of courage and change. These soldiers fought for a country that did not yet fully recognize their freedom. Their service helped push forward ideas about equality and citizenship. Even though many of their stories were not widely told, historians continue to uncover their contributions. Today, the regiment is remembered as one of the most important examples of Black military service in early American history. Their legacy reminds us that the fight for freedom included people from many backgrounds, even those who were denied basic rights at the time. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Why would Black men choose to fight in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment even though they were not free or fully treated as equals?

2. What does the story of this regiment suggest about who was willing to fight for a country that did not yet fully include them? How might that shape how we define patriotism?

3. How might the limited attention given to Black soldiers in this regiment affect how students understand who helped build the United States—and who belongs in its story?

Reflection Prompt:

1. If Black soldiers helped fight for American independence but were still denied full rights afterward, what does that reveal about the gap between the nation’s ideals and its actions? How should that shape the way we understand American history today? 

Sources & Further Reading:

1. “1st Rhode Island Regiment.” BlackPast.com 

2. “Highlights of the Timeline of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.” Battle of Rhode Island Association. 

3. “America’s First Black Regiment Fought the British.” History.com

4. Legends & Lies: The Patriots. “Forgotten Heroes.” Fox News Channel, 2016. Recommended as supplemental viewing for its dramatized interpretation of African American participation in the Revolutionary War, including the First Rhode Island Regiment. Historical claims made in the film should be cross-referenced with primary and scholarly sources. The series is narrated by the multi-award winning actor Kelsey Grammer.

5. “Soldiers at the Siege of Yorktown.” Illustration. Jean-Baptiste-Antoine DeVerger. c. 1781. Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University. 

6. “Soldiers in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.” Painting. Frank Quagan. c. 1976. Varnum Armory Museum. Designed for the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. 

7. Slave Enlistment Act. Legislative Document. Rhode Island General Assembly. February 14, 1778. Rhode Island State Archives. 

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