Exploits of 20 black men, slave and free, who fought in battles of the American Revolution in New York state are recounted. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, colonies did not allow slaves or free blacks to join the Continental Army. Only after the British Army offered freedom to slaves who joined the royal ranks did the Continental Army accept black men as soldiers. Among the 20 whose stories are told in this pamphlet were Samuel Sutphin from N.J., Timothy Prince from Vermont, and Julius Cezar from New York. Accounts are given of the black soldiers' participation in three battles; the battle for Long Island and New York City in 1776, the fight for White Plains in 1776, and the assault on Stony Point in 1779. During these campaigns, black soldiers served as militiamen, guides, teamsters, and spies. After the Revolution was over, many black soldiers experienced difficulties in obtaining the freedom they had been promised for military service. Others were not granted their pensions until 30 years or more had passed. A concluding chapter briefly describes black participation in American military activities from the French and Indian War through the Vietnam War. (Author/AV)