African American Military History (Revolutionary War to Indian Wars)

Flashcards covering African American participation and key details across the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican American War, Civil War, and the Indian Wars.

What provision did the Rhode Island Assembly pass in 1778 regarding enslaved individuals?

The assembly voted to allow every able-bodied negro, mulatto, or Indian man slave to enlist in the Continental Battalions, granting them immediate freedom upon passing muster before Colonel Christopher Greene.

How many African Americans served in the First Rhode Island regiment out of its total strength?

144 African Americans enlisted in the First Rhode Island out of a total of 225 soldiers.

What was Dunmore's Proclamation?

A promise by the Royal Governor of Virginia that any enslaved person owned by a patriot could gain freedom by joining the British military.

How many African Americans acted as patriots in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War?

Over 5,000 African Americans served as patriots in various capacities, including privateering.

What percentage of US sailors were black in the Battle of Lake Eerie during the War of 1812?

25% of the US sailors were black.

Which battle during the War of 1812 inspired the writing of the Star Spangled Banner?

The bombardment of Fort McHenry.

Who was Charles Ball and what did he accomplish during the War of 1812?

An escaped enslaved man who rejoined the US Navy as a cook and manned guns during the Battle of Bladensburg.

What was the significance of Jordan B. Noble's military service?

He helped defend New Orleans under Andrew Jackson in 1815 as a drummer, and later served in the Seminole War of 1836, the Mexican American War, and the Civil War.

What were the primary causes and dates of the Mexican American War?

The war took place from April 1846 to February 1848, caused by the Annexation of Texas and Manifest Destiny.

What was the Mormon Battalion?

The first and only religious military unit in the Mexican American War, which marched 2,000 miles from Iowa to San Diego.

How did Jacob Dodson participate in the Mexican American War despite formal prohibitions against black military service?

He served as a servant to John C. Fremont and successfully petitioned after the war for his veteran's pension.

How many African Americans served and lost their lives in the Union military during the Civil War?

186,000 African Americans served, and 38,000 gave their lives.

Who was Sgt. William Carney and why was his action at Fort Wagner notable?

A member of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment who became the first black Medal of Honor recipient after retrieving and carrying the American Flag while severely wounded.

Which Native American group allied with the Confederacy during the Civil War?

Slave-owning Natives in Oklahoma.

What rights were established by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments following the Civil War?

They ended slavery, granted citizenship, and provided African American men the right to vote and equal protection under the law.

Who were the Buffalo Soldiers?

African American soldiers who fought in segregated units during the Indian Wars as the western frontier was settled following the Civil War.