Ethiopian Regiment facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ethiopian Regiment |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1775–1776 |
| Country |  Great Britain |
| Allegiance | Great Britain |
| Branch | infantry, dragoons (mounted infantry), labor duty |
| Type | British provincial unit |
| Role | guerilla warfare, maneuver warfare |
| Size | company (300) |
| Nickname(s) | Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment, Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment, Royal Ethiopian Regiment |
| Motto(s) | Liberty to Slaves |
| Engagements | American Revolutionary War
|
| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | King George |
| Notable commanders |
Governor Lord Dunmore Captain Samuel Leslie Captain Charles Fordyce |
The Ethiopian Regiment was a special British military group formed during the American Revolution. It was also known as Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment. This unit was created by Lord Dunmore, who was the last British governor of Virginia.
What made this regiment unique was that it was made up of formerly enslaved people. These individuals had escaped from their masters who supported the American side (called Patriots). British officers and sergeants led the regiment. The Ethiopian Regiment was active from 1775 to 1776. After it was officially ended, many of its soldiers likely joined other Black Loyalist units.
Contents
Forming the Regiment
In 1775, Lord Dunmore, the British Governor of Virginia, made an important announcement. He offered freedom to all enslaved people who belonged to American revolutionaries. This freedom was offered if they agreed to join the British army and fight against the rebels in the American Revolutionary War.
About 500 enslaved people in Virginia quickly left their masters and joined Dunmore's forces. The governor then formed them into the Ethiopian Regiment. This was also known as Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment.
During the war, many thousands of enslaved people escaped. This had a big effect on the economy of the American South. For example, about 25,000 enslaved people escaped in South Carolina. Around 30,000 escaped in Virginia. Almost a quarter of the enslaved population in Georgia also escaped. Many went to the British lines to gain their freedom. After the war, the British helped nearly 4,000 Black Loyalists move to places like Nova Scotia.
The Ethiopian Regiment was probably the first black regiment to serve the British during the American Revolution. By December 1775, the regiment had almost 300 black soldiers. One of its most famous members was an escaped enslaved man named Titus. He later became known as Colonel Tye because of his great military skills. Titus and his fellow soldiers believed they were fighting for their own freedom. They also fought for the freedom of all enslaved black people in North America.
Battles and Campaigns
The Ethiopian Regiment fought in battles from 1775 to 1776. They likely first saw action at the Battle of Kemp's Landing in November 1775. In this battle, Lord Dunmore defeated the rebel colonial militia. Two of the rebel colonels were captured. One colonel was even captured by one of his former slaves. This black regiment fighting for the British gave hope to many African Americans. It was a revolutionary idea at the time for black people to be trained soldiers.
Battle of Great Bridge
In 1775, British forces, including the Ethiopian Regiment, took over Norfolk, Virginia. Lord Dunmore set up his main base there. Virginia's Committee of Safety sent Colonel William Woodford and 500 Virginia rebels to fight Dunmore. Woodford's men gathered at one end of a key bridge at Great Bridge. This bridge connected the mainland to the port of Norfolk.
Dunmore's forces, including some of the Ethiopians, had built Fort Murray at the other end of the bridge. Colonel Woodford's men dug in on their side of Great Bridge. Woodford sent a black man to Dunmore as a double agent. This spy gave Dunmore false information about Woodford's strength. He said the rebels had only 300 men and were "green" recruits who would be easily scared.
Captain Samuel Leslie ordered Captain Charles Fordyce to lead 120 men of the 14th Foot regiment. They marched down the causeway to attack the rebel position. The Ethiopian Regiment stood ready on Great Bridge, supported by British cannons. Rebel guards, especially William Flora, slowed the British advance.
The rebels waited until the British were very close before firing. Captain Fordyce declared, "The day is ours!" just before the rebels opened fire. The Americans quickly shot down Fordyce and 12 other soldiers. Among the wounded were two former slaves from the Ethiopian Regiment: James Sanderson and Cesar. Woodford then marched some of his men through the swamps. They attacked the Ethiopian Regiment's side, forcing them to retreat in confusion. The revolutionaries captured two British cannons. The British then pulled back into their fort. In the days that followed, the British left the fort and then Norfolk. Revolutionary forces, including Woodford's men, then occupied Norfolk.
Colonel Tye
Colonel Tye was an enslaved man named Titus who had escaped from his master in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He heard about Lord Dunmore's promise of freedom. So, he traveled to Virginia to join Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment.
Nothing is known about Tye's actions right after the regiment was disbanded. However, he returned to New Jersey later. He fought in the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778. For the next two years, he became a famous Black Loyalist guerrilla leader known as "Colonel" Tye. He led a group called the Black Brigade. This group worked with the British Queen's Rangers to defend British-held New York in the winter of 1779.
Colonel Tye led many raids in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He disrupted American supply lines. He also captured rebel officers and killed suspected Patriot leaders. He died in 1780 from an infection (tetanus) caused by a bullet wound he got during his last raid.
Uniforms
The Ethiopian Regiment's uniforms had special sashes. These sashes were inscribed with the words, "Liberty to Slaves." The men in the regiment often did labor work, like finding food. But they also fought in battles.
Regiment Disbanded
Dunmore's defeat was the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War in the South. Lord Dunmore officially ended the Ethiopian Regiment in 1776 on Staten Island. However, many of its members likely continued to serve. They probably joined groups like the Black Pioneers during the British occupation of New York.
The Ethiopian Regiment was formed with white officers and non-commissioned officers. But it is likely that some of the black recruits later became sergeants themselves.
