War of 1812 Sites & African Americans
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| The War of 1812 is one of the least understood conflicts in American History especially regarding the role of African Americans in the War of 1812. Another forgotten fact about the War of 1812 was that America lost many battles because the nation lacked able bodied men to fight. The Federal Government only called upon white men to serve and although some states opted to muster freed black men, they relegated black service to secondary roles only. Lack of military success in 1812 and 1813 soon changed perspectives. In the later stages of the War of 1812 northern states like Pennsylvania and New York were recruiting entire regiments of black troops. Even some states pressed back troops into combat duties. |
