Andrew Ferguson: Black Patriot of the American Revolution

 

Hundreds free and enslaved men from Virginia fought in the Patriot cause.  Like the rest of the population, these men had their own motives for doing so.  Some had no choice and were simply enlisted by their enslavers.  Others could see a path to emancipation.  Still others saw a possible avenue for economic advancement.

Take for example the case of Private Andrew Ferguson.  Andrew Ferguson was born in Dinwiddie County in the early 1760s.  Ferguson was born to free black parents.  Andrew and his father were captured by British forces who, assuming they were enslaved, offered father and son freedom if they would fight for the King.  They refused and were beaten for their obstinate refusal.  The pair escaped from the British and joined the Patriot forces.  Andrew Ferguson was destined to see a great deal of action, in several theaters, during the war.  He fought at Brandywine (Pennsylvania), at Kings Mountain (South Carolina) and Cowpens (South Carolina).  He was severely wounded at the Battle of Guilford Court House (North Carolina), but later fought at the Siege of Ninety Six and the Battle of Eutaw Springs (both in South Carolina).  Andrew Ferguson served five years and six months.

By June 1781 some 1,500 (25 %) of the 6,000 troops under George Washington’s direct command were black.

Secrets of Early America 1607-1816