Existing comment:
Fighters for Freedom
With over one million people held in bondage, the "Star-Spangled Banner" did not truly wave over the "land of the free" during the War of 1812. Thousands of enslaved African-Americans saw the British as liberators. Escaping as individuals and as families, over 4,000 fled to the British who offered them freedom and resettlement.
In 1814 the British recruited enslaved African-Americans for military service in the Colonial Marines. Approximately 200 served in this unit. During the year, the Colonial Marines launched raids against tobacco plantations throughout the Chesapeake Bay region and fought in the Battle of North Point.
" ... the Conduct of our new raised Corps, the Colonial Marines, who were the first time, employed in Arms against their old Masters on this occasion, ... behaved to the admiration of every Body."
-- Admiral George Cockburn, June 25, 1814 |