Colonel Clay, a son of Henry Clay, was accompanied into the thick of the battle of Buena Vista, by his Negro servant.

He remained by his side in the fatal charge and saw Clay stricken from his horse.

Although surrounded by the murderous Mexicans he succeeded in carrying the mangled body of his master from the field.
It has been stated and the evidence seems strong, that a Negro saved the life of General Zachary Taylor at the battle of Monterey.

The story is that a Mexican was aiming a deadly blow at the General, when the Negro sprang between them, slew the Mexican and received a deep wound from a lance.

The Negro was a slave at the time, but was afterwards emancipated by President Taylor.
Upwards of 200,000 colored soldiers were regularly enlisted in the Federal army and navy during the Civil war.