Women and African Americans in War
By: Michael Tansey, Andrew Sack, Aidan Moreau
Women Take Part in the Revolutionary War
While the men were off at the war, colonial women farmed and took care of the house. Women joined war by helping the soldiers with treating their wounds and bringing them fresh water. Some women became famous by participating in the war. For example, Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag with stars and stripes.
Afican Americans in the Revolutionary War
By 1776, more than 500,000 African Americans lived in the colonies. Out of the half million, about 7,000 African American served in either the Army or Navy. Some African Americans formed their own regiments. Other served with white soldiers as drummer, fifers ,spies, and guides.
James Armistead (pictured above)
Armistead was born into slavery in Virginia around 1750. He worked as a spy under American General Lafayette. He was given given the trust of British generals Cornwallis and Benedict Arnold. After the war, he returned to his life as a slave. He was eventually freed and spent the rest of his life as a farmer in Virginia. He died on August 9, 1830.
History Brief: African Americans in the Revolution