PETER KITERIDGE was a former slave who
served in the Continental Army for five years. By 1806
he was disabled due to combat-related injuries, and requested
assistance for himself, his wife, and their four children.
This letter was written on behalf of Peter Kiteridge,
who signed it with an “X.”
More than 5,000 African Americans volunteered to fight
in the Revolutionary War, linking their futures and freedom
to the causes of the colonists. Most fought in racially
integrated military regiments, though there were also
three all-black military units on the American side of
the Revolution. Get
transcript
Washington crossing the Delaware. Engraving by Girardet
after Emanuel Leutze, 1853 (GLC 05471)
