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COLORED AMERICANS IN THE
WARS OF 1776 AND 1812
[Illustration]
By
WILLIAM C. NELL
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED FOR H. T. KEALING, 681 PINE STREET
1902
A STATEMENT.
This little volume sets forth in compact form the achievements of the
American Negro during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. It
is compiled from valuable records, diaries, documents and articles in
newspapers nearly contemporaneous with the times of which they treat,
and it may, therefore, be considered a valuable compendium to the man
who seeks information on a subject but scantily treated in the standard
historical works to which reference is usually made.
The matter herein contained was first printed in a Canada edition
called "Services of Colored Americans in the Wars of 1776 and 1812."
It is now out of print, but matter of so great value in fixing the
patriotic status of a people so long denied honorable place among
the nation-makers of America must not be allowed to fade from view;
especially at this time when archives and libraries are being ransacked
by scholarly men of the Negro race for defensive data against the
insidious attacks of wily foes upon the claims and merit of the colored
race considered as soldiers and citizens.
A reference to the bibliography and authorities quoted by Mr. NELL, the
author, is an addition to the original volume which will be appreciated
by those inquirers who have access to good libraries and wish to verify
the facts here given.
To have collected all these scattered and fugitive allusions involved
no small labor, and deserves the thanks of all who want to see the
material for a full and fair history of the United States so gathered
into one convenient place that the future historian cannot fail to find
it, if he be desirous; nor refuse to use it, if he be conscientious.
It should be mentioned that matter which has became untrue by the
progress of events since the first edition of this book has been
carefully exscinded.