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ART! RI250 Commission presents “Brave Men as Ever Fought”, 1st RI Regiment – TODAY
RI250 Commission to Hold Portrait Presentation Commemorating First Rhode Island Regiment
Photo: “Brave Men as Ever Fought” courtesy of Don Troiani Museum of the American Revolution, Funded by the National Park Service Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
Presentation and discussion around the painting from the Don Troiani Museum of the American Revolution will be held at the Rhode Island State House State Room TODAY, March 4th at 3:30pm
Attending are:
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, Chair of the RI250 Commission
Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi,
Lorén Spears, Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum
Bob Geake, historian and author of From Slaves to Soldiers
Charles Roberts, Founder and Executive Director of Rhode Island Slave History Medallions
Rebecca Bertrand Executive Director of the Newport Historical Society
Keith Minsinger, Collections Manager and Registrar at the Museum of the American Revolution
“Brave Men as Ever Fought,” is a portrait commemorating the First Rhode Island Regiment. It brings to light one of the often-untold stories of the American Revolution and illustrates the crucial role that African Americans played in our quest for freedom,” said Johnny Carawan, National Park Service Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Administrator. “The 1st Rhode Island Regiment is connected to the Trail and woven into the fabric of our country. The National Park Service is proud to support this project to help shine a light on the heroic achievements of these men.”
The portrait is on loan to the RI Department of State from the Museum of the American Revolution. Learn more about the painting, HERE.
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UPDATE from event:
“The history of the First Rhode Island Regiment is unique to Rhode Island, and all Rhode Islanders should know the story of these brave individuals who fought in the first integrated military regiment,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “It’s truly an honor to display this portrait. I thank both the Museum of the American Revolution for their partnership and the historians who joined us today for ensuring this history is never forgotten.”
In 1778, Rhode Island reorganized its regiments of the Continental Army and authorized the recruitment of enslaved men into the First Rhode Island Regiment. Over 130 free Black men and formerly enslaved men joined the regiment that year. The enslaved men were granted their freedom immediately upon their enlistment, the first and only time such an offer had been made by a state government during the Revolutionary War.
The First Rhode Island Regiment, comprised of Black, Indigenous, and white soldiers, would go on to fight during the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778. In 1780, Rhode Island united its two Continental Army regiments into a unit known as the Rhode Island Regiment. Two full companies of that regiment were made up of Black and Indigenous enlisted men. The Rhode Island Regiment would go on to serve in the decisive Siege of Yorktown in 1781.
Commissioned by the Museum of the American Revolution in 2020, renowned historical military artist Don Troiani (b.1949) recreated what the Rhode Island Regiment’s march through Philadelphia in 1781 might have looked like. As part of the scene, 15-year-old African American sailor James Forten looks on as the Regiment marches past the brick façade of the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall). Later in life, Forten became a successful business owner, abolitionist, and community leader, and he described what he witnessed back in 1781 to his friend and fellow abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison:
“I well remember that when the New England Regiment marched through this city on their way to attack the English Army under the command of Lord Cornwallis, there was several Companies of Coloured People, as brave Men as ever fought.”
Forten was referring to the Rhode Island Regiment.
“As our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026, it is timely and appropriate to ensure that we remember all those who served, struggled, and sacrificed to secure American Independence,” said Museum of the American Revolution President and CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson. “We owe a debt of gratitude to those Rhode Islanders of color who wore the uniform and saluted the flag of the fledgling United States in spite of the fact that for most of them, equality was an elusive dream. The Museum is thrilled to loan ‘Brave Men as Ever Fought’ to the Rhode Island Department of State to commemorate the Rhode Island Regiment’s service.”
The portrait is on loan to the RI Department of State from the Museum of the American Revolution. After the portrait presentation ceremony, the portrait will be displayed in the State House Royal Charter Museum on the first floor of the building until late June.