Historical Notes on the Employment of Negroes in the American Army of the Revolution #260329

Notwithstanding all this, the fact is notorious, as Bancroft says, that the roll of the army at Cambridge had from its first formation borne the names Of men Of color. Free negroes stood in the ranks by the side of white men. In the beginning of the war they had entered the provincial army: the first general order which was issued by Ward, had required a return, among other things, Of the 'complexion' of the soldiers; and black men, like others, were retained in the service after the troops were adopted by the continent.