American Revolution

Image Title:
Battle of Bunker Hill, Peter Salem shooting the British Major Pitcairn

Note:
“Mr. Aaron White, of Thompson, Conn in a Letter to George Livermore, Esq., of the Massachusetts Historical Society, whites: “With regard to the black Hero of Bunker Hill, I never knew him personally, nor did I ever hear from his lips the story of his achievements; but I have better authority. About the year 1809, I heard a soldier of the Revolution, who was present at the Bunker Hill Battle, relate to my father the story of the death of Major Pitcairn. He said the Major had passed the storm of fire without, and had mounted the redoubt, when waving his sword, he commanded, in a loud voice, the “rebels’ to surrender. His sudden appearance, and his commanding air, at first startled the men immediately before him. They neither answered nor fired; probably not being exactly certain what was next to be done. At this critical moment, a negro soldier stepped forward, and, aiming his musket directly at the Major’s bosom, blew him through.”” [Wilson, p.34].

Source:
Wilson, Joseph T. 1890. The Black Phalanx; a History of the Negro Soldiers of the United States in the Wars of 1775-1812, 1861-'65. Hartford, Conn: American Pub. Co., p.35. Book at Archive.org