The state also paid for his freedom from his enslaver. He became the only Black veteran to be granted land by the state of Georgia for his bravery. But after the war, he received better treatment than most Black veterans. (An estimated 20,000 took up arms for the British.)Īustin was wounded in battle and left with a disability. Some fought because they had to, but many others volunteered, hoping to win their freedom. Worried that many would join the British army, Washington reversed his stance.Īustin was one of more than 5,000 Black people who fought for the Americans. But in 1775, Britain promised freedom to enslaved people who fought against their Patriot enslavers. Many white people feared that once armed, Black troops might revolt against their enslavers. General Washington had been opposed to letting Black men, enslaved or free, join the Continental Army. So Austin, like many Black people, was forced to serve in his enslaver’s place. Austin’s enslaver didn’t want to fight in the war.
In 1779, Austin Dabney, an enslaved 14-year-old living in Georgia, was sent into battle against the British. That was especially true for those who were poor or enslaved. For some young people, the war offered an opportunity to forge new lives in a new nation. Girls aided the cause too, delivering messages across enemy lines and defending and taking care of farms. Some did so with their parents’ permission. Officially, soldiers had to be at least 16 to fight. That meant many young people would have to take part. They named Washington as its commander.īut who would fight? Half the population of the 13 Colonies was under age 17. The leaders met again and formed a Continental Army. A group of representatives met at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia to challenge British rule. In 1774, many Americans were fed up with the high taxes imposed on the Colonies by Britain’s King George III.
But many of the Americans who stepped up to fight the battle for independence were regular teens. When most people think of heroes of the American Revolution (1775-1783), they usually think of icons such as George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.
These are the stories of three of the many teens who helped fight the American Revolution. For some young people, especially those who were poor or enslaved, the war offered an opportunity to forge new lives in a new nation. But some boys as young as 10 joined up, either with their parents’ permission or by hiding their age. When war broke out in 1775, the leaders met again and formed a Continental Army, naming Washington as its commander.īut who would fight? With half the population of the 13 Colonies under age 17, many young people would have to take part. When most people think of heroes of the American Revolution (1775-1783), icons such as George Washington and Alexander Hamilton usually come to mind.
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