Black and White and Red All Over: George Washington's First Marines

From time to time someone will remark that there seems be a man who may be a darker complexion in Emmanuel Leutze's famous painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware. Could there have been a "black" man in the boat?

Try dozens, or more. Ferrying the Continental Army across the ice-choked Delaware River on December 25, 1776 was assigned to John Glover's regiment from Marlblehead Massachusetts. They were fishermen and sailors. The muster rolls listed one third of the men as "dark complexioned." Another third were recorded as "light complexioned," and the remaining third were not labeled. A number were of partial or full Native American descent as well. They averaged 23 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches in height.

Glover's ten companies marched to Boston to besiege British troops At the Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill, they operated the most effective artillery firing at oncoming British troops. After the British evacuated Boston, the ten companies then became the 14th Continental Regiment. Ships from Marblehead did a great deal to run the British blockade, bringing in vital arms and ammunition

The regiment was known for its tight discipline -- sailors were used to instantly obeying their officers. They wore the original bellbottoms -- short, wide-bottomed pants that were practical on sailing ship, along with work shirts, round blue jackets, and wide brimmed hats coated with tar to repel water.

Alexander Graydon, who served as captain in a Pennsylvania regiment, wrote many years later, "There was an appearance of discipline in this corps... Though deficient, perhaps, in polish, it possessed an apparent aptitude for the purpose of its instituteion, and gave a confidence that myriads of its meek and lowly brethren were incompetent to inspire." However, Graydon also observed "there were a number of negroes, which, to persons unaccustomed to such associations had a disagreeable, degrading effect." Its not clear if Graydon was expressing his own opinion, or noting the reaction of others.

Like most soldiers who fought for independence, they had their own interests and motives. The British Navy closed their access to the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, depriving them of their livelihood. In August 1776, it was the 14th Regiment that evacuated Washington's army from Long Island to Manhattan, 9500 men in one night.

There is an excellent book for those who want to read more about this regiment, Patrick K. O'Donnell's The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier-Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington Across the Delaware. The author can name some of the black soldiers, including Manuel Soto, Frentharo Manwell, and Caesar Glover, O'Donnell laments that many would die before pension applications were instituted in the 19th century, and thus were lost to history.