PL “When Colonel Tye was enslaved in New Jersey, he was called Titus. He was 22-years-old when the Revolutionary War began in the spring of 1775. A few months later, the British promised freedom in Virginia to any Black person who fought on their side. Titus ran away the next day, one of hundreds of Black people from many places who went to fight for the British. His enslaver (owner) placed an advertisement in a Pennsylvania newspaper, offering a reward to anyone who returned Titus. No one caught him. Titus joined the British army and chose a new name for himself: Colonel Tye. With this name, he became famous.
Some Black colonials fought with the Patriots, but others escaped to the British headquarters in New York City, hoping a British victory would lead to freedom. Twenty-four of the best Black soldiers formed the Black Brigade (unit) of the British Army and Colonel Tye was their commander.
Colonel Tye led his men on raids in New Jersey where he had been enslaved. They captured Patriot soldiers and destroyed houses and barns. Because Tye knew the area well, the men could hide in swamps and riverbanks and strike (attack) suddenly.”
“These raids terrified (scared) the local Patriots, but enslaved people found news of the attacks encouraging and more fled to the British side. By 1779, there were 3,000 Black people in New York City, perhaps more. They had come from all over the country. Some Black men became soldiers and lived in one of the city’s Black barracks (camps). Others, along with women and children, lived in tents in a partly burned out neighborhood called Canvas Town.
New York suffered a hard, cold winter in 1779. Food and fuel were scarce (limited). Colonel Tye’s Black Brigade (unit) joined with the Queen’s Rangers, a small unit of white soldiers, and together they raided the Patriot areas of New Jersey. They brought fuel, livestock, and other supplies back to New York City. They also guarded the ferry landings along the North River, later called the Hudson. The ferries regularly brought people who had fled (run away from) slavery across from New Jersey.
Colonel Tye continued fighting until September of 1780, when he was shot in the wrist during a surprise attack. The injury was not serious, but a fatal (deadly) infection set in and he died. Colonel Tye was considered a fine and brave soldier by the British, and even by some of the Patriot enemies.”

1. What was Colonel Tye’s role in the British Army during the American Revolution?

2. What can Colonel Tye’s story tell us about the experiences of Black soldiers who fought for the British Army?

3. Why should we remember his story?