| Newport Daily News
Friends of Camp Security will hold and open house June 9.
John Crawmer, lead archeologist on the project, describes how digs each year map the possible boundaries of Camp Security, during a dig May 28, 2024.
- The 1st Rhode Island Regiment, also known as the Black Regiment, was an integrated unit of Black, Indigenous, and white soldiers.
- The resolutions aim to raise awareness about the often-overlooked role of Black soldiers in the Revolutionary War.
In honor of Black History Month, the Rhode Island Senate and House of Representatives recognized the contribution of the Black soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment who helped the nation win the Revolutionary War.
The Senate and House on Feb. 11 passed resolutions (2025-S 0224, 2025-H 5411) introduced by Sen. Linda Ujifusa and Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart to commemorate the contributions of 1st Rhode Island Regiment, also known as the Black Regiment and Varnum’s Regiment.
On hand for the passage of the resolution were re-enactors who portray members of the 1st Regiment, Commanding Officer Joanne Breslin, Major Michael Breslin and Jason Roomes, who is also a descendent of a member of the 1st Regiment. John D. Harvey, curator and caretaker of the Varnum House Museum in East Greenwich joined them.
“It is not widely known that Black soldiers served during the Revolutionary War and it is important to raise public awareness of their contributions,” said Ujifusa (D-Dist.11, Portsmouth, Bristol), who introduced the resolution in part because the Black Regiment fought the Battle of Rhode Island in Portsmouth.
The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was an integrated unit composed of Black, Indigenous and white soldiers who served together from 1778 through the end of the war in 1783.
“During Black History Month, I am especially delighted to sponsor this resolution in the House of Representatives. By honoring the contributions and heroism of these soldiers, we recognize the ways in which Black people have been fighting to expand liberty since the very beginning of the United States nearly 250 years ago,” said Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket).
The resolution officially designated Feb. 11, 2025, “1st Rhode Island Regiment/Black Regiment Day” to commemorate the contribution of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
The resolution states, “In August of 1778, the First Rhode Island Regiment stood bravely on the right flank of the Continental Army at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and drove back three Hessian charges and held the line against the British forces to ‘distinguish itself with deeds of great valor.’”
