The Long Road to Freedom

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Reenactors talking shop

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The First Rhode Island Regiment Reenactors is participated in the Long Road to Freedom Black History program at the Federeal Hall in New York. At noon The Faison Firehouse Theatre presented a play of the same name as the program in which the some members portrayed black soldiers in the historic 1st RI, and others portrayed the blacks who fought for the British as the Loyal Ethiopians. The regiment's first portrayal as black loyalist was at the reenactment of the Battle of the Great Bridge, held by the Lobsterback Society. Few people know that black soldiers fought in the American Revolution, making up to one third of the Continental Army at certain points of the war. They were some of General Washington's most veteran and crack troops, and had profound influence on his eventual decision to free his slaves. Even less people know that over twice many blacks, about 11,000,  fought for the British, offered freedom to those who's masters were in rebellion if they fought for the Crown.