The Rhode Island Senate has passed a resolution honoring the contributions of the Black Revolutionary War soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The resolution was introduced by state Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol).
Black soldiers served in the Revolutionary War under the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, which was an integrated unit composed of Black, Indigenous, and white soldiers. The regiment was formed in 1778 and served together until the end of the war in 1783. The unit fought the Battle of Rhode Island, which was the first battle fought on American soil.
“It is not widely known that Black soldiers served during the Revolutionary War and it is important to raise public awareness of their contributions,” said Senator Ujifusa.
Charles Roberts, executive director of the Rhode Island Slave History Medallions organization, is one of several re-enactors who were introduced to the Senate after the resolution was passed. Roberts says that the Black Regiment fought bravely on the right flank of the Continental Army at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and drove back three hessian charges and held the line against the British forces.
The resolution officially designates Feb. 15, 2024, as “1st Rhode Island Regiment/Black Regiment Day” to commemorate the contribution of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
