Blacks Serving in U.S. Military Over the Years-- Part 2: The American Revolution and the War of 1812

American Revolution

Southern colonies, fearing  that armed slaves would lead to revolts, opposed the use of slaves in Patriot militia, though some would serve in isolated instances.

The British, however, recruited heavily in the South, promising freedom for any slave who fought for them with the Loyalists.   Consequentially, while an estimated 9,000 black soldiers and sailors fought for the Americans, some 20,000 fought for the British.

***********************************

Post Revolution and War of 1812

After the American revolution, Blacks were pushed out of the U.S. military.  The Federal Militia Acts of 1792, specifically  prohibited black service in the U.S. Army.

As a result, few Blacks  participated on the side of the United States during the War of 1812.  Only Louisiana  was allowed to have separate black militia units in that conflict.

Due to a severe manpower shortage, the U.S. Navy accepted free black recruits.  Some 15% to 20% of Navy manpower  was made up of them.  Some slaves also served in the British Army and Navy in anticipation of freedom.

Irish First World War Sailors Sought-- Part 2

Three hundred and fifty Irish sailors were killed at the Battle of Jutland, 91 at the Battle of Coronel and 62 on the HMS Hawke.

Others lost their lives when the MFA Whitehead, a steamship, was torpedoed in 1917, the submarine HMS K-17 which sank in an accidental collision in 1918 and the HMS Bayono, a converted merchant ship, torpedoed off Ireland which caused bodies to wash up on the Ard Peninsula.

At least 14 Irishmen lost their lives on the first warship lost to enemy action in the war, the HMS Amphion in 1914.

Overall, some 1,500 Irish sailors were killed in action during the war.

--Cooter

Irish First World War Sailor Descendants Sought-- Part 1

From the Dec. 25, 2015, Belfast telegraph "Descendants of Irish sailors of First World War sought to mark the Battle of Jutland."

A series of events will be held May 31, 2016, marking the centennial of the largest sea battle of World War I.  They will be held on the HMS Caroline which will open as a heritage visitor attraction in Belfast.  It is the only ship at  the Battle of Jutland still afloat.

I was able to see this ship in a cruise around the British Isles when we tied up next to the drydock where the RMS Titanic was built.  At the time it didn't much look like a warship, though.

Thousands of Irish men and women assisted in the war effort including as sailors in the Navy, merchant marine, fishing industry workers and dockworkers.  Others were lighthouse keepers, lifeboat crews and Coast Guard who kept the seas as safe as possible.

--Cooter