Shortly after Breed's Hill, George Washington was elevated to lead colonial forces against the British. Without him I don't think the states would have survived the war. George's troops were trapped on Long Island, NY. Aug 1776, the British had him trapped good. George had his men build big bon fires along the ridge, and told them to whoop it up. Their backs were to Manhatten. Backing away from a fight saved the Continental Army from total destruction. George had his men hunt for boats along the coast of Brooklyn. Then they started ferrying his men to Manhatten. Genius. They lived to fight another day. Come daybreak there we're still troops in Brooklyn. A fig rolled in helping out George get the rest of the men over. I believe this fog was provided by DS ( Divine Spirit). So they picked the right guy for the Job.
One of the things I disagree with George was him saying after the battle of Breeds Hill that negroes would no longer be recruited into the militias and regular army. Negroes that were already in could stay in their units.
Salem Poor was a negro whi fought stop Breed's Hillg. He bought his freedom in 1769. In today's dollars would be 5,500 dollars years salary back then. Through a system if self- purchase, slaves with skills would be able to earn the money.
The beginning hours of June 17th, he and others started to the earth stop Breed's Hill at around 5 am the British saw the earthen work atop the hill. They then began to fire their cannon from their ships in the harbor toward the redoubt. Started out with 1400 colonists on the hill with reinforcements padding that number to 2,400. The Brits had 2,500 men. After 2 assaults by the regulars up the hill, the hill was red from British blood. One thousand casualties littered the tall grass. The 3 rd assault the colonials ran out of ammo. Became hand to hand fighting. Poor fired at British Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie. He was carried off the field to Boston house where he succumbed to his injuries 6 days later. While recuperating at the house his men paid him a visit. Turned out that the wound in his right thigh came from friendly fire. That wound did him in 6 days later. 14 officers praised Poor's actions stop the hill. Recommended him for honors. There is no record of him receiving any honors though. Britain did the opposite and said any negroes who would fight for Britain would be freed permanently, once they signed in. They had many takers.
Poor moved with his second wife to Providence RI. Eventually they were asked to leave because they had no money. Thanks for your service, now, get out.
Lafayette laid the cornerstone for the Breed Hill monument in 1825. The 50 th year of the battle. It sits stop the hill to this day. Poor's honor was a 10 cent stamp issued for him in 1975. The British win the battle but lost the war. This battle set the tone throughout the war. They became super cautious and still maintained the arrogance in the officer corp.
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