Ist Rhode Island

[Le Ricain]

It is good that the role of loyalist Afro-Americans has been recognised.

What about the role played by Afro-Americans who volunteered for service with the American army? The first black regiment raised was the 1st Rhode Island in August 1778. This unit should not be confused with the 1st RI which appears in Jan '76 with General Green. That unit's troops were transfered to the 2nd RI in '77 and the 1st RI was used to recruit black, mixed race and Indian troops. The 1st RI served throughout the war including Yorktown. Oddly enough the 1st RI's only commander was Nicholas Green, cousin to the more famous General Green.

For BoA, the unit should be the 1st Rhode Island continental regiment as the men enlisted for at least 3 years and most for the duration of the war. This unit appears already, but as a white soldier sprite.

Would it possible to have this unit properly sprited? A good picture of the unit can be found at:

[url=ancientgreece-earlyamerica.com/html/1st_rhode_island.htm]ancientgreece-earlyamerica.com/html/1st_rhode_island.htm[/url]

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[Adam the VIth]

It would be excellent (and hey, yes, a bit PC) -- slaves (who fought and were then "released" from their servitude, former slaves, free blacks, etc. played a large and imporant role in the revolution, the 1st RI simply being a formal way to represent that strong contribution.

[PhilThib]

We should have the 1st RI in the next patch