Last updated: June 3, 2026
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12 Soldiers of the Revolution Exhibition
A temporary exhibition at Freedom Plaza now features twelve bronze statues of Revolutionary War soldiers arranged in a civic tableau commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence. At the heart of this installation stands a statue of Caesar Rodney, honoring his historic midnight ride and his role in the founding era as a symbol of courage and civic dedication.
NPS / Kelsey Graczyk
The typical soldier in the War for Independence was an ordinary citizen unskilled in the art of war. The American Army was comprised of volunteers who came from every walk of life. Among their ranks were schoolteachers, political leaders, tradesmen, blacksmiths, preachers, and farmers. As many as eight thousand were black patriots, some already free and others fighting in exchange for their own liberty.
These twelve statues are representative of those typical Americans. Some were white, some black. Some were immigrants and others born in America. Some were well educated, others illiterate. Some from northern colonies, others southern ones. Some were in their teens, others long retired. Diverse as they were, what this eclectic group had in common was a strong patriotism and love for their country—a fierce patriotism that hated tyranny.
Within the great breadth of these American patriots are retired military veterans such as Samuel Whittemore, who took up arms at seventy-eight years old. Featured here are also black heroes like James Armistead Lafayette, who became America’s first double-spy, securing critical intelligence that helped bring the war to an end; and Jack Sisson, whose courage and leadership shone in one of the first special force operations in American military history. Also are included ministers such as the Rev. James Cadwell, the “Fighting Parson” who lost his life to the British; and the Rev. John Peter Muhlenberg, who led his congregation into battle and rose to the rank of major general, later serving in Congress, where he helped frame the Bill of Rights.
These stories reinvigorate the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice that gave birth to the most prosperous, most stable, and most benevolent nation in the history of the world. Although the names represented by these statues are largely unknown today, they have never been lost to history. These twelve heroes are waiting for a new generation to rediscover, appreciate, and be inspired by their courage, sacrifice, and faith.
NPS / Kelsey Graczyk
12 Soldiers of the Revolution
Simon Knowles
Knowles enlisted in the Continental Army at the age of 15 and served throughout the entire American Revolution. Knowles fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill, crossed the Delaware with General George Washington, saw combat at Trenton, Princeton, and Saratoga, and endured the bitter winter at Valley Forge. He received an honorable discharge under Washington at Newburgh in 1783. After the war, Knowles returned to civilian life as a farmer. His estate was modest, comprising a sword from his father and a walking cane, but his record is enduring. Learn more about Simon Knowles.
Caesar Glover
Glover was eight years old in 1750, when he was enslaved in Africa and sold in Massachusetts. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he enlisted in John Glover's Marblehead Men of Massachusetts. He participated in the unit's heroic actions, including the miraculous rescue of General George Washington’s army from Brooklyn Heights, and in moving the Continental Army across the icy Delaware on Christmas Day. Glover served three years and obtained his freedom after the war. Learn more about Caesar Glover.
Joseph Warren
A Boston physician and patriot leader, Warren sent Paul Revere on his famous midnight ride to warn of advancing British troops. In June 1775, Congress commissioned him a Major General, but upon arriving at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Warren refused to outrank the officers already in command. He instead chose to fight as a private in the ranks. He fought heroically, but was shot and killed by British soldiers, becoming one of the first martyrs of the American Revolution. Learn more about Joseph Warren.
Jude Hall
Hall escaped from slavery and joined the 3rd New Hampshire regiment in May 1775. He fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he was thrown headlong after a cannonball struck the ground near him. He fought at Ticonderoga, Trenton, Hubbardton, Saratoga, and Monmouth. At Monmouth, he earned the nickname "Old Rock" for his strength and heroism. Hall served until peace was secured in 1783. Learn more about Jude Hall.
John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg
As a Christian pastor, Muhlenberg raised troops to fight the British at the request of General George Washington. He reportedly preached at his church: "there is a time to preach and a time to fight, and now is the time to fight!" 300 men enlisted as a result of his efforts. He fought in many major battles, suffered through the Winter at Valley Forge, and helped win the Battle of Yorktown. After the war, he was elected to the First Congress and helped pass the Bill of Rights. Learn more about John Muhlenberg.
James Armistead Lafayette
Born into slavery, James was one of America's first double agents. He infiltrated the headquarters of both British general Cornwallis and traitor Benedict Arnold, and posing as a runaway slave, fed them false information. He also sent true reports back to Generals Washington and Lafayette, helping them win the Battle of Yorktown. After the war, at the urging of Lafayette, the Virginia legislature granted James his freedom. James adopted the surname "Lafayette," built a farm, and raised a family. Learn more about James Lafayette.
Samuel Whittemore
Immediately following the British assault on Lexington and Concord, the 78-year-old retired veteran grabbed the weapons he still had from his military service fighting the French and Indians, and attacked British troops on his own, killing and wounding several. With his ammunition out, the British turned and shot Whittemore point-blank in the face and bayoneted him 13 times, leaving him for dead. But Whittemore recovered and lived another 18 years, to age 96. Learn more about Samuel Whittemore.
Jack Sisson
Born into slavery, Sisson volunteered to join a daring nighttime raid in Newport, Rhode Island to capture British General Richard Prescott. Sisson steered the leading boat in the raid and broke down the British general's door. The raid succeeded without a shot fired. Sisson later joined the First Rhode Island Regiment, which included black, white, and American Indian soldiers. He fought in the Battles of Rhode Island and Yorktown. After the war, he returned to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Learn more about Jack Sisson.
James Caldwell
As a chaplain in the Continental Army, Caldwell was known to preach on Sundays with pistols on his pulpit. Caldwell became legendary in the Battle of Springfield, after soldiers ran out of paper "wadding" needed to load cannons. For wadding, he gave them hymnals written by Reverend Isaac Watts, saying, "give 'me Watts, boys!" British soldiers murdered his wife, but Caldwell only fought harder. He was killed in 1781 in a suspected British plot. Learn more about James Caldwell.
Peter Salem
Born into slavery and emancipated in early 1775 at the age of 24, Salem enlisted in a local Massachusetts militia and fought in the first battles of the Revolutionary War, at Lexington and Concord. Salem also fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, where many credited him with firing the shot that killed British major John Pitcairn. He also fought at Harlem Heights, Trenton, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Stony Point. In 1780, Salem returned to Massachusetts, earning a living weaving chair seats and baskets. Learn more about Peter Salem.
Naphtali Daggett
When the British unexpectedly attacked New Haven, Connecticut, in 1779, Daggett, a professor at Yale college, grabbed his musket and advanced with 100 Yale students toward more than 2,000 British soldiers. They fired on the British, delaying them until New Haven residents escaped to safety. The British eventually overpowered Daggett and tortured him with bayonets. More than a year later, he died of his wounds, a citizen soldier to the end. Learn more about Naphtali Daggett.
Salem Poor
Born enslaved, Poor purchased his freedom before the war. He is remembered for his heroism at the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was so exceptional that 14 officers signed a petition requesting that Congress grant Salem an award for his actions, stating that he, an enlisted man, "behaved like an experienced officer" and "a brave and gallant soldier." Poor later fought at White Plains, Saratoga, and Monmouth, and endured the Winter at Valley Forge. Poor resided in Boston after the war. Learn more about Salem Poor.
NPS / Kelsey Graczyk