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There were many brave men at Charlestown on June 17th, 1775. Among them was Salem Poor, an African American. He
had temporarily left his family in May 1775 to fight for the cause of Liberty. Very little is known about Salem Poor,
but his bravery at Bunker Hill was commended by many officers.
A petition to the General Court of Massachusetts dated December 5th 1775, describes Salem Poor. It was signed by 14 officers, including
Colonel Prescott: "The subscribers beg leave, to report to your Honorable House
- which we do
in justice to the character of so brave a man - that under our own observation, we declare that a negro man called Salem Poor, of
Colonel Frye's regiment, Captain Ames' company, in the late Battle at Charlestown, behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent
soldier. To set forth the particulars of his conduct would be tedious, we would only beg leave to say that in the Person of this said negro centers
a brave and gallant soldier. The reward due to so great and distinguished a character, we submit to the Congress."
Salem Poor has been credited with killing British Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie during
the Battle of Bunker Hill, in the redoubt and at the height of combat. In John Trumbull's famous painting "Battle at Bunker's Hill" or Bunker
Hill shown below, General Warren has been fatally wounded in the center left, and Colonel
Abercrombie is lying dead at his feet.
Poor also served at Saratoga, Valley Forge, and Monmouth.
It is important to note that many African Americans participated in the war on the American side. There was little indication slavery would be
abolished in the new republic, and in Virginia the British had even recruited slaves promising eventual freedom (Britain completely abolished
slavery in 1833).
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