Читать книгу Historical Moments: Military Contributions of African Americans - Роберт Харрис - Страница 10

Peter Salem

Peter Salem was one of the five thousand black men in the Revolutionary War. This former slave from Framingham, Massachusetts, won fame and glory in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It happened this way: A British officer, Major Pitcairn, showing more bravery than sense, charged the American position, shouting, “Forward men the day is ours.” Peter Salem fired and the major fell mortally wounded. This action helped to change the battle from defeat to a moral victory. Former slaves Salem Poor and Prince Hall also fought in this battle. The bravery of these ex-slaves not only placed them among the heroes of that day but won for them the respect of their white comrades.