Fought like devils

With Black History Month coming to an end this post looks at some of the contributions made by African Americans during the War of 1812. In 1793, Upper Canada placed limitations on slavery, which was the first piece of legislation in the British Empire to limit slavery. During the War of 1812, African Americans served in British regiments and a separate ‘Coloured Corps’ was established know as Runchey’s Company of Coloured Men.

In the United States, slavery was still practiced during the war. The U.S. Army and Navy prohibited Black men from serving in the armed forces. However, as the war dragged on the U.S. began allowing Black men to serve. Many free Black men, as well as slaves, served on U.S. privateers and merchant ships during the war. The U.S. Navy also allowed Black men to serve and after the U.S. frigate Constitution defeated the H.M.S. Guerrière, Captain Isaac Hull of the Constitution said he “had never hand any better fighters. They stripped to the waist and fought like devils … utterly insensible to the danger and … possessed with a determination to outfight the white sailors.”

War of 1812 African American soldier in the U.S. Army

During the war, there were a number of runaway slaves. Most runaway slaves fled from the Chesapeake area in response to British proclamations that offered service in the British Navy or free settlement in North America or the West Indies. It is estimated that around 4,000 slaves escaped the U.S. during the war. Many runaways settled in the Maritime Provinces where many suffered from poverty. In Nova Scotia, many died from smallpox and malnutrition.

After the war, the U.S. and Britain disagreed on which runaways must be returned. Eventually both countries agreed to arbitration from the Czar of Russia who decided that the British must pay for all slaves that were removed at the end of the war. The British agreed in 1826 to pay $1,200,000 (£244,000). 

On Saturday, March 2nd, join several prominent War of 1812 authors and historians for the Living History Conference taking place in Hamilton. There will be many different sessions taking place covering several topics involving the War of 1812. Click here to learn more and to signup for the conference.

The Coloured Corps

During the War of 1812, a number of Blacks served in both the British and American armies. These men often fought side by side with their white counterparts and frequently distinguished themselves in battle.

In Upper Canada slavery was limited in 1793, which was the first piece of legislation in the British Empire to limit slavery. This act was introduced after an incident in March 1793 when Chloe Cooley, an enslaved Black woman in Queenstown, was bound, thrown in a boat and sold across the river to a new owner in the U.S. Her distress caught the attention of Peter Martin, a free Black and former soldier in Butler’s Rangers. Martin convinced Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe to introduce legislation to ban slavery. Simcoe managed to pass a law that prevented the further introduction of slaves into Upper Canada, but it did not abolish slavery in Upper Canada.

Plaque located at Queenston Heights

In the Niagara Region during the War of 1812 there was a small British unit raised that was comprised of Black soldiers. When the war started Richard Pierpoint, a freed ex-slave who served in Butler’s Rangers, petitioned Major-General Sir Isaac Brock to form an all-Black militia unit. With Brock’s approval a small militia unit formed under Captain Robert Runchey, know as Runchey’s Company of Coloured Men. At the age of 68 Pierpoint served as a private under the command of white officers.

The new ‘Coloured Corps’ fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights where they were mentioned in reports as having been influential in the British victory. In 1813 the corps fought in the Battle of Fort George and by 1814 the unit was converted into an artificer unit where they helped to build fortifications and perform as blacksmiths. After the war, many veterans of the Coloured Corps received land grants in the Niagara.

On October 13 and 14, make sure you make your way to Queenston Heights to see the reenactment of this infamous battle where this corps distinguished themselves. The reenactment will include a morning march from Fort George to Queenston Heights, guided tours, and a battle reenactment at 3 p.m. Click here for more details.