On this date in 1775, Horatio Gates, serving as George Washington’s adjutant general, issued an order prohibiting Black men—both free and enslaved—from enlisting in the Continental Army. This decision reflected the prevailing racial attitudes of the time and concerns among some American leaders about arming Black individuals.
However, this exclusion did not last long. As the war progressed and the need for manpower grew, policies changed. By 1776, the Continental Army began allowing free Black men to serve. Eventually, even some enslaved individuals were promised freedom in exchange for military service, particularly in states like Rhode Island, which formed an all-Black regiment, the First Rhode Island Regiment.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
