Prof. John Moore

“ It would require volumes to record what the colored man has done for the cause of liberty in this country. A presentation of a few of the facts cannot but tend to fire our patriotism as well as revive in our memories the important part our colored country-men have acted in achieving the liberties we now enjoy.
In 1770 an important event took place in Boston. There was a massacre on King Street now called State. Several men were shot by British soldiers. The most conspicuous figure there was Crispus Attucks, a Negro, who lost his life. ”

“ They moved up as gallantly as any troops could, and with their enthusiasm they deserve a better fate.”
Generally the Negro troops acquitted themselves most creditably as soldiers. Stanton, Secretary of War, said of them at Petersburg: “The hardest fighting was done by the black troops. The parts they stormed were the worst of all. After the affair was over, Gen. Smith went to thank them, and tell them he was proud of their courage and dash. He says they cannot be exceeded as soldiers.” ”

“ This Negro soldier’s claim to this honor could not be disputed. There was another Negro soldier who distinguished himself, Salem Poor, and displayed such valor that fourteen American officers called the attention of Congress to his merits. The memorial was dated at Cambridge, December 5, 1775, and stated “that under our own observation, we declare that a Negro man called Salem Poor, of Colonel Frye’s regiment, Captain Ames’ company, in the late battle at Charlestown behaved like an experienced officer as well as an excellent soldier. ”