Bravery, under such circumstances, has a peculiar beauty and merit.
"And their white brothers--may remember that generosity, disinterested courage and bravery, are of no particular race and complexion, and that the image of the Heavenly Father may be reflected alike by all.

Each record of worth in this oppressed and despised people should be pondered, for it is by many such that the cruel and unjust public sentiment, which has so long proscribed them, may be reversed, and full opportunities given them to take rank among the nations of the earth." Estimates from competent sources state that not less than 3,000 Negro soldiers did service in the American army during the Revolution.

Rhode Island first made her slaves free men and then called on them to fight.
A black regiment was raised there, of which Colonel Christopher Green was made commander.

Connecticut furnished a black battalion under command of Colonel David Humphrey.
Prior to the Revolution, two Virginia Negroes, Israel Titus and Samuel Jenkins, had fought under Braddock and Washington in the French and Indian war.
It has been said that one of the men killed when Major Pitcairn commanding the British advance on Concord and Lexington, April 19, 1775, ordered his troops to fire on the Americans, was a Negro bearing arms.
Peter Salem a Negro did service during the Revolution, and is said to have killed this same Major Pitcairn, at the battle of Bunker Hill.

In some old engravings of the battle, Salem is pictured as occupying a prominent position.