Africans at Washington's Crossing

 The Delaware River crossing of Colonel Earl Hand of the 1st Pennsylvania was later than Washington's crossing. Colonel Varnum's 9th Continentals being led by Lt Col. Archibald Crary with Christopher  Lippitt's regiment were the Rhode Islanders who went across the Delaware with Hand at( McCloskey's ?) crossing. Consequently, they were not at first  Battle of Trenton. However, these two regiments fought in the summer 1776 at the Battle Brooklyn on Long Island and the Battle of Harlem Heights in New York City. That winter they fought Second Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton in New Jersey.  Several Africans served in these two regiments and many of these men would enlist for three years in the new First and Second Rhode Island regiments being formed in January 1777.

Prince Allen       Benjamin Hoppens Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
Samuel Ceasar  Arthur Fenners Co. Christopher Lippitt's  Regiment
Ceasar Cole      Varnum's 9th Continental Regiment in 1777 Second RI
Ceasar Cook     Varnum's 9th Continental Regiment in 1777 Second RI
James Dailey    John S. Dexters Co. Varnum's 9th Continental Regiment, in 1777 First RI
Ceasar Eason   Arthur Fenners Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
Windsor Fry       Christopher Lippitt's Regiment,in 1777 First RI
Jack Hazzard     Christopher Dyer's Co. Christo pher Lippitt's Regiment, in 1777 First RI
Pharaoh Hazzard Christopher Dyer's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, in 1777 First RI
Benoni Hunt       Thomas Groton's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment,in 1777 First RI
Cato Mawney     Thomas Groton's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment,in 1777 First  RI
Nathan Pero       Nathaneil Blackmars Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
John Perry         Christopher Dyer's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment in1781 Flagg'sCo. First RI
James Profit       Christopher Smith Co. Varnum's 9th Continental Regiment
Phillip Rodman   Baley's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
Thomas Sambo Thomas Grotons Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, in 1781 he joined the R.I. regiment
Benoni Taylor     David Dexters Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, in 1777 First  RI


 Resources:

Rhode Island Military Census of 1777
United States Census for Rhode Island 1790
Benjamin Cowell "The Spirit of 76 In Rhode Island" Boston 1850
Pension Records
Service Records Film M881-
Rhode Island Archives (Folder) Minorites in the Revolution, Providence R.I.
Black Courage (DAR) 1984
Debra Newman's List of Black Revolutionary Soldiers (NARA )1976
“The Pennsylvania Line “ John Trussell 1977
"So few the Brave" Anthony Walker 1981

Submitted by
Sgt. Joe Becton
Captain John Dexter's Company
Colonel Christopher Greene's  First Rhode Island Regiment
"I joined the Army to Obtain my Freedom"

ONLINE NEWSLETTER Summer 6/07

Memorial Weekend

The regiment had a full weekend, participating in 4 venues:
the Lawrenceville parade, the Willingboro parade, the Pennington parade, and the Pennington African Cemetery commemoration.

In 1999 The Department of Community affairs awarded Pennington Burrough a $24,000 grant to restore the cemetery where people of African descent have been buried, including Civil War soldiers. The burrough worked with the association, headed by Al Witcher, on plans for the restoration. In 2005 it held a dedication ceremony for the cemetery.

This Memorial Day, dignitaries and guest once again assembled to pay respect to those interned in the Pennington African Cemetery. Program participants included the Mayor Anthony Persichilli, Rev. Thomas Hill - pastor Bethel AME church, 1st Sgt Fred Minus - President 6th Regiment Infantry U.S. Colored Troops, Reenactors, Rev Wayne Griffith - pastor First Baptist Church Pennington. Sgt Minus spoke about the military contributions of American Africans and the importance of knowing history .
The ceremony concluded with the reenactor contingent firing a volley salute

Battle of Bordentown

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment mustered a contingent of 12, including 6 cadets, for this event.
This action packed reenactment fielded over 1500 reenactors comprising American British, French and German infantry forces and artillery batteries. The event did not recreate an actual historic battle but was part of Bordentown's 325TH Anniversary celebration.

The 1st RI formed up under the 3rd company on Saturday. Pvt. Ward was selected for detached duty with the light infantry. Scenarios ranged from skirmishes in the woods, and defending a redoubt between companies of the opposing forces, artillery exchanges, and full battalion engagement. During the battle our cadets fielded as a musician, and runners who delivered messages for the officers. As scripted the Americans were victorious. On Sunday we formed up with 2ND company and re-fought the battle, but this time the script called for the Continental Army to lose. Our troops fixed bayonets valiantly charged the Crown forces who met us with a devastating volley.

This was a good opportunity for new cadets who had participated in ceremonies and parades, to see the elephant (battle). A special thanks goes out to the field officers for taking them under their wings and letting them participate. They also got to experience camp life - gathering firewood, cooking, cleaning, and other camp chores.During the event, members of the regiment came to the attention of various members of the media, who came across us in the camp who eagerly photographed and interviewed us. We were also approached by a Mike Kirkpatrick one of the reenactors who retraced Rochambeau's march form Rhode Island to Virginia, filmed us for the documentary. Mike showed us the translated diaries of French soldiers which he is used to retrace the march. He pointed out the comments made by these soldiers who praised the deportment and valor of black soldiers of the historic 1ST Rhode Island.

For more details about the event see Sgt Ward's After Action Report.