Honoring Veterans Issued on May 23, 2001 - Scott #3508
Unofficial City Cancel - Portsmouth, RI
"Cachet Honors the 1st Rhode Island known as the "Black Regiment."
(Scroll Down for History and Background Information)

In addition  most states found it difficult to meet the recruiting quotas set by the Continental Congress. Rhode Island was in desperate straits. The British blockade was strangling their commerce, (of which the slave trade was an important part) and Newport was occupied by British troops. In 1776 Newport was the largest slaving port in the colonies and Rhode island had the largest population of African Americans in New England . 

Rhode Island had been ordered to supply an additional regiment and most of their available men were already involved in fighting the British within their own borders. General James Varnum, in command of the remnants of the two Rhode Island regiments already in service with the Continental Army advised Washington to merge the two regiments and send the officers of the 1^st to Rhode Island to recruit African Americans for a new regiment.

Washington agreed and the legislation was quickly passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly on February 23, 1778. It stated that each individual slave enrolled in the regiment "upon his passing muster, he is absolutely made free, and entitled to all the wages, bounties, and encouragements given by Congress to any soldier enlisting."

Provision was also made by the State Legislature to provide compensation to slave owners of up to $400.00. The slaves were purchased by the state and after service in the army for the duration of the war or until discharged would be freed.

Colonel Christopher Greene (a distant relative of Nathaniel Greene), along with his two senior officers; Lt. Colonel Jeremiah Olney and Major Sam Ward were chosen by General Washington to lead the 1^st Rhode Island, the first all-black American regiment.

During the Battle of Rhode Island in August 1778, Hessian troops directed their main assault against the 1^st Rhode Island. “They experienced a more obstinate resistance than the y had expected,” finding “large bodies of troops …chiefly wild looking men in their shirt sleeves, and among them many Negroes.” A Rhode Island history of 1860 reported that Colonel Greene’s regiment “distinguished itself by deeds of desperate valor.” Dr Harris, a veteran of the 1^st recalled the battle in an address to a New Hampshire antislavery society in 1842: “When stationed in the State of Rhode Island, the regiment to which I belonged was once ordered to what was called a flanking position …it was a post of imminent danger. They attacked us again, with more vigor and determination, and again were repulsed. Again the y reinforced, and attacked us the third time, with the most desperate courage and resolution, but a third time were repulsed. The contest was fearful. Our position was hotly disputed and as hotly maintained.”