Happy Flag Day

Today we commemorated the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. In doing so, let's take a look at some interesting events for the month of June, during the American Revolution, from the African-American perspective. 

Prior to the American Revolution, in the process of colonizing of the Americas, the Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese armed free and enslaved blacks for defense against the indigenous natives and each other. Not surprisingly, militarily trained and experienced in European warfare, the slaves turned on their oppressors. There was much pay back, and it wasn't pretty, with much killing, and what seems to be a recurring fear, "debauchery".  With the outbreak of hostilities in British colonies, the home office sought to avoid arming blacks, to spare fellow countrymen the nightmare of slave rebellion seen in this hemisphere. However, on the ground, we see British commanders taking initiatives to the contrary. On June 8th 1775, facing growing unrest, John Murray, the Earl of Dunmore and Virginia Governor, vacated the capitol aboard an armed ship. With this, other ships, and a force of 300 soldiers and sailors, he hit the rebels where it hurt. Sailing up and down the York River he found vulnerable plantations to plunder, carry off, and recruit blacks to increase the size of his army. Hearing word of this, escaped slaves flocked to be under his protection. Lord Dunmore later declared martial law, and issued a proclamation declaring that indentured servants, blacks, or others subject to rebel authority free, that were able and willing to bear arms and join the Crown's forces, to put an end the rebellion. From these recruits, he formed the wars first and largest black fighting unit, the Ethiopian Regiment. Prompted by John Murray, Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage sent a communique to London on June 12th, asserting that the rebellion was a crisis that called for the use of every available resource that can be brought to bear, even blacks. 

At the Battle of Bunker Hill June 17th 1775,  100 blacks and Native-Americans are documented to have fought. Noteworthy is Salem Poor, for whom a petition for exceptional bravery was submitted to the Congress, signed by 14 officers citing his behaviour like that of an experienced officer and excellent soldier. One Peter Salem, a slave, who was temporarily released by his master to serve, is credited to have fired the shot the killed Maj. John Pitcairn. Shortly after Washington declared that slaves could no longer be recruited for the militia. 

In 1777 the Continental suffered significant losses in the Philadelphia campaign. Rhode Island regiments were particularly hard hit and unable to fill the ranks with enough able bodied white men to meet its' quota. Taking advantage of the active recruitment of blacks by the British, Brig. Gen. Varnum, was able to convinced Washington to allow the state to recruit slaves. Washington agreed provisionally, based on consultations with the Congress, which bought Varnum time to initiate efforts to recruit black, mulatto, and Native American slaves, but due to the its' unpopularity with state residents the legislature set a cut-off-date of June 10, 1778.

At the Battle of Monmouth June 28th 1778, Captain Arnold's black company, detached from the 1st Rhode Island, marched with Varnum's Brigade, and fought a holding action against the advancing  British.