Which Side Freedom?

A Black Soldier in the Continental Army

Boyrereau Brinch, later known as Jeffrey Brace, was born in West Africa around 1742, kidnapped as a teenager, and carried into Atlantic slavery before being sold repeatedly in the Caribbean and New England. In Connecticut, he eventually came into the household of Mary Stiles, a widow in Woodbury who, unlike his earlier enslavers, taught him to read. When she died, Brace passed, “like real estate,” to her son Benjamin Stiles. Still enslaved when the Revolution began, Brace entered the American army in 1777 and served to the end of the war. His 1810 memoir, The Blind African Slave, is one of the rare first-person Revolutionary War accounts by a Black veteran—one who never forgot the bitter irony of fighting for the liberty of men who were still his “tyrants.” Brace even contemplated joining the British, following the thousands of enslaved people who took up the British offer of freedom in return for military service. Brace, however, fought with the Americans, and later wrote that his “services in the American war” secured his freedom.

When this lady [Marry Stiles] died, I descended like real estate, in fee simple to her son Benjamin Stiles, Esq. About four years after her death, her two sons, Benjamin and David, were drafted to fight in the revolution. I also entered the banners of freedom.

Alas! Poor African Slave, to liberate freemen, my tyrants. I had contemplated going to Barbadoes to avenge myself and my country, in which I justified myself by Sampson’s prayer, when he prayed God to give him strength that he might avenge himself upon the Philistines, and God gave him the strength he prayed for.

I went into Capt. Granger’s company, from hence I was drafted into Capt. Barker’s company of light infantry, as they wanted six feet men. I then wanted but a quarter of an inch of being 6 feet 3 inches. We marched to Salem. General Worcester commanded the British under the command of General Howe, who attacked us. We beat them back.

We marched to West Point, and took up winter quarters. While we remained here the soldiers played many boyish pranks. One Samuel Shaw, a brave soldier, but as complete a petty thief as ever graced a camp; not that I would represent him a thievish character; as honesty was never more predominant in any human being, than it was in him, when he pledged himself to any fellow soldier.

However he with myself and some others from our camp, the day before we were to be reviewed, by his Excellency, Gen. George Washington, concluded we would have a soldier-like frollick. Accordingly, we secretly stole from the lines, went to a Farm not many miles distant, which was occupied by a Tory. From him we stole a shoat [young pig]. Shaw was the principle manager in this affair, and we got into camp just before day. We laid the Shoat in the middle of the camp, and sat down, and in the language of gratitude, began conversing upon our success; but short was our confab. As we soon saw the frothing Tory coming for his Hog.

We immediately covered ourselves with our blankets and effected to be asleep. He recognized his property; he went to the Col. to whose regiment we then belonged and reported that we had stolen one of his shoats. Col. [Return] Meigs, came immediately to our company, and with a countenance, that plainly bespoke a determination of punishing us if guilty.

He asked how we came by that Shoat; I answered immediately that the owner had brought it for sale, but that from his manner of conversation (knowing him to have been a tory) we unanimously suspected him to have come as a spy and were determined to keep the Shoat until the officers might have an opportunity of being acquainted with his designs.

My fellow soldiers were glad of the opportunity of confirming the truth of my assertion–which so completely satisfied the Col. of our innocence, together with the circumstance of its lying in fair view, in the middle of the Camp–that he severely reprimanded the man for his insult on him and his soldiers. The man a little frightened at so unexpected a charge of guilt that he really had the appearance of a condemned culprit and was glad to escape with his dead pig upon his back.

We moved to Hackensack in the Jerseys. Soon after our arrival there, the enemy stole some cattle from our lines. Capt. Granger with twenty chosen men was sent in pursuit of them, with orders to go about two miles to a place called Hackensack-four-corners. I was one of the number.

We pursued our course to a pasture fronting the meadow, into which we discovered [the cattle] had been driven. It was thought prudent, that I should wait upon the hither side of a hill to keep a look out for the enemy.

While I stood there anxiously waiting for their return, I suddenly discovered a man riding up to me not more than eight rods distant on full speed with a pistol in his hand and ordered me to lay down arms.

At first, I thought he was a Jerseyman and was attempting to fool me, as they had played some such pranks before, upon some of the soldiers belonging to our line. Therefore, in return I demanded to whom I was to surrender and by what authority he demanded it

He said I must surrender to him who demanded me in the name of the King his majesty of Great Britain.

I then plainly told him that neither him or his King’s majesty would get my arms unless he took them by force.

He immediately cocked his pistol and fired.

I fell flat upon the ground in order to dodge his ball, and did so effectually do it, that he missed me. I rose, he drew his sword and rode up to me so quick that I had no time to take aim before he struck my gun barrel with his cutlass and cut it almost one third off–also cut off the bone of my middle finger on my hand.

As he struck, the horse jumped before he could wheal upon me again. Altho’ my gun barrel was cut, I fired and killed him, as he fell I caught his horse and sword.

He was a British light horseman in disguise.

I mounted immediately, and that instant discovered four men on horseback approaching me from different direction.

I fled, passed one man, just before I came to a stone wall. Both of our horses were upon the full run he fired and missed me.

My horse leaped the wall like a deer. They all pursued me.

When we got into the road, they were joined by many more, and all with swords in hand pursued me. I drove my horse as fast as possible, stabbed him with my sword and gun, kicked my heals in his side, but having no spurs, and not being so good a horseman they gained upon me.

I looked forward and saw my Capt. in full view, almost a mile distant.

This encouraged me, and the long shanked negro, soldier with a leather cap, mounted on an elegant English gelding light horse, made all whistle again.

When I came in about twenty or thirty rods, I heard the Captain say, “there come one of our leather caps, and it is Jeffrey. Reserve your fire so as not to kill him!”

However, the men fired, and three balls cut my garments. One struck my coat sleeve, the next hit my bayonet belt, and the third went through the back side of my leather-cap.

They were so close upon me, that the same fire killed four of the British and five horse and wounded some more.

I did not stop for this salute, but pulled on for headquarters. The enemy, being so handsomely saluted upon surprise, made the best retreat possible.

I made no halt until I arrived within our Camp. When I dismounted tied my horse and went to set up my gun, I found I could not open my hand which was the first time that I discovered that I was wounded.

As slight fear and precipitation had turned me almost as white as my fellow soldiers. In consequence of my wounds, I was unfit for duty again for almost three months.

I sold horse saddle and bridle, holsters, pistols and sword, to Col. Sherman for his contract of two hundred and fifty dollars, who thought proper never to pay the same. Yet I felt more gratitude towards the horse than regret for the loss of him, as he with the assistance of divine providence saved my life.

And here I will observe, that I can give no other reason why the enemy did not fire upon me, only I presume, they choose to take me alive. I presume they concluded that I would acquaint them with the state of our army. Perhaps the soldiers thought I might be sold by them and enrich their coffers, as these mercenary beings seem rather more inclined to deal in human flesh and blood than in fighting.

I belonged to one Capt. Baker’s company when the attack was made upon us at Hackensack, I was on the flank and the charge was made there; we gave them a warmer salute and lost many brave Yankee-boys. Our Battalion was charged by their light horse, and we beat them off with our bayonets.

After this battle, I was in battle in Stanford, Cambridge, White plains, Monmouth, Princeton, Newark, Froggs-point, Horseneck where I had a ball pass through my knapsack. All which battles the reader can obtain a more perfect account of in history, than I can give.

At last, we returned to West point and were discharged, as the war was over.

Thus was I, a slave for five years fighting for liberty.

After we were disbanded, I returned to my old master at Woodbury, with whom I lived one year, my services in the American war having emancipated me from further slavery, and from being bartered or sold.

My master consented that I might go where I pleased and seek my fortune. Hearing flattering accounts of the new state of Vermont [which had abolished slavery], I left Woodbury and travelled to the town of Poltney in Vermont.

Here I enjoyed the pleasures of a freeman. My food was sweet, my labor pleasure, and one bright gleam of life seemed to shine upon me.

 

A Black Loyalist Chooses the British

Boston King was born into slavery in South Carolina and, like thousands of other enslaved people during the Revolution, saw the British—not the Patriots—as the more likely path to freedom. When he fled to British lines after the fall of Charleston, he entered a world of war, disease, danger, and military service, only to discover at peace in 1783 that freedom itself might still be taken away. His memoir, first published in 1798, offers a powerful counterpoint to Jeffrey Brace: one Black veteran fought with the Americans and won liberty after the war; the other escaped to the British and feared being dragged back into slavery when the fighting stopped.

To escape [a master’s] cruelty, I determined to go to Charles-Town [Charleston, South Carolina], and throw myself into the hands of the English. They received me readily, and I began to feel the happiness of liberty, of which I knew nothing before, altho’ I was much grieved at first, to be obliged to leave my friends, and reside among strangers . . .

I came to Nelson’s Ferry [South Carolina]. Here I entered into the service of the commanding officer of that place. But our situation was very precarious, and we expected to be made prisoners every day; for the American had 1,600 men, not far off, whereas our whole number amounted only to 250.

But there were 1,200 English about 30 miles off; only we knew not how to inform them of our danger, as the Americans were in possession of the country.

Our commander at length determined to send me with a letter, promising me great rewards, if I was successful in the business.

I set off on foot about 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I expected every moment to fall in with the enemy, whom I well knew would shew me no mercy.

I went on without interruption, till I got within six miles of my journey’s end, and then was alarmed with a great noise a little before me.

But I stopped out of the road and fell flat upon my face till they were gone by. I then arose and praised the Name of the Lord for his great mercy, and again pursued my journey, till I came to Mums-corner tavern.

I knocked at the door, but they blew out the candle. I knocked again and entreated the master to open the door.

At last he came with a frightful countenance, and said, “I thought it was the Americans; for they were here about an hour ago, and I thought they were returned again.”

I asked, “How may were there?”

“About one hundred,” he answered.

I desired him to saddle his horse for me, which he did, and went with me himself. When we had gone about two miles, we were stopped by the picket-guard, till the Captain came out with 30 men.

As soon as he knew that I had brought an express from Nelson’s Ferry, he received me with great kindness and expressed his approbation of my courage and conduct in this dangerous business.

Next morning, Colonel Small gave me three shillings, and many fine promises, which were all that I ever received for this service from him. However, he sent 60 men to relieve the troops at Nelson’s Ferry.

Soon after I went to Charles-Town and entered on board a man of war.

As we were going to Chesepeake Bay, we [captured] a rich prize [Patriot ship]. We stayed in the bay two days, and then sailed for New York, where I went on shore. Here I endeavoured to follow my trade, but for want of tools was obliged to relinquish it, and enter in service [wage labor].

I then went out in a pilot boat. We were at sea eight days, and had only provisions for five, so that we were in danger of starving. On the 9th day we were taken by an American whaleboat. I went on board them with a cheerful countenance and asked for bread and water.

They carried me to Brunswick [and back into slavery].

It was exceedingly difficult to escape from my bondage, because the river at Amboy was above a mile over, and likewise another to cross at Staten Island. I called to remembrance the great deliverances the Lord had wrought for me, and besought him to save me this once, and I would serve him all the days of my life.

The slaves about Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, have as good victuals as many of the English; for they have meat once a day, and milk for breakfast and supper; and what is better than all, many of the masters send their slaves to school at night, that they may learn to read the Scriptures. This is a privilege indeed.

But alas, all these enjoyments could not satisfy me without liberty! Sometimes I thought, if it was the will of God that I should be a slave, I was ready to resign myself to his will; but at other times, I could not find the least desire to content myself in slavery.

Being permitted to walk about when my work was done, I used to go to the ferry, and observed, that when it was low water, the people waded across the river; tho’ at the same time I saw there were guards posted at the place to prevent the escape of prisoners and slaves.

As I was at prayer on Sunday evening, I thought the Lord heard me and would mercifully deliver me. Therefore, putting my confidence in him, about one o’clock in the morning I went down to the river side, and found the guards were either asleep or in the tavern. I instantly entered into the river, but when I was a little distance from the opposite shore, I heard the sentinels disputing among themselves: One said, ‘I am sure I saw a man cross the river.’ Another replied, ‘There is no such thing.’ It seems they were afraid to fire at me, or make an alarm, lest they should be punished for their negligence.

When I had got a little distance from the shore, I fell down upon my knees, and thanked God for this deliverance. I traveled till about five in the morning, and then concealed myself till seven o’clock at night, when I proceeded forward, thro’ bushes and marshes, near the road, for fear of being discovered.

When I came to the river, opposite Staten-Island, I found a boat; and altho’ it was very near a whale-boat, yet I ventured into it, and cutting the rope, got safe over. The commanding officer, when informed of my case, gave me a passport, and proceeded to New-York.

When I arrived at New York, my friends rejoiced to see me once more restored to liberty and joined me in praising the Lord for his mercy and goodness.

About which time, (in 1783) the horrors and devastation of war happily terminated, and peace was restored between America and Great Britain, which issued universal joy among all parties, except us, who had escaped from slavery, and taken refuge in the English army, for a report prevailed at New-York, that all slaves, in number 2,000, were to be delivered up to their masters.

This dreadful rumour filled us all with inexpressible anguish and terror, especially when we saw our masters coming from Virginia, North Carolina, and other parts, and seizing upon their slaves in the streets of New-York or even dragging them out of their beds. Many of the slaves had very cruel masters, so that the thoughts of returning home with them embittered life to us. For some days, we lost our appetite for food, and sleep departed from our eyes.

The English had compassion upon us in the day of distress, and issued out a Proclamation, importing, that all slaves should be free, who had taken refuge in the British lines.

In consequence of this, each of us received a certificate from the commanding officer at New-York, which dispelled all our fears, and filled us with joy and gratitude.

Soon after, ships were fitted out and furnished with every necessary for conveying us to Nova Scotia. We arrived at Burch Town in the month of August, where we all safely landed. Every family had a lot of land, and we exerted all our strength in order to build comfortable huts before the cold weather set in.