The 1st Rhode Island Regiment
America’s First Black Regiment in the Revolutionary War
The wonderful thing about history is that there’s always more to learn. While researching another piece about Frederick Douglass’s famous Fourth of July speech, I came across the story of the first Black regiment in American history and the political backlash against those who established them.
In late 1777, General George Washington wrote to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum about the desperate need to support Fort Mifflin.
“I beg you will do all in your power to reconcile any differences that may have arisen, not by taking notice of them in a direct manner, but by recommending unanimity and demonstrating the manifest advantages of it. As the Commodore will have a considerable reinforcement after you arrive, I hope he will be able to afford more assistance than he has hitherto done. You will have an oppertunity of seeing and conversing with the Baron Arendt, and I must beg you will lay such plans as will most effectually contribute to the mutual support and defence of your posts…
