Rhode Island's First Regiment.

Continental soldiers at Yorktown; on the left, an African-American soldier of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.

During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), Rhode Island's 1st Regiment, known as the "Black Regiment" is regarded as the first African-American military regiment. Here's a list of 40 Black soldiers from Washington County, Rhode Island (which includes my hometown, South Kingston):

South Kingston:
Dick Champlain
Jack Champlain
York Champlain
July Champlain
Cuff Gardiner
Sharper Gardiner
Mintel Gardiner
Primus Gardiner
Peter Hazard
Jacob Hazard
Peter Hazard
Prince Rodman
Mingo Rodman
Isaac Rodman
Ceaser Rose
Edward Rose
James Clarke
Garrett Perry
Ceaser Sheldon
Mingo Robertson
William Greene
Cudjo Carpenter
Hopkinton:
Ceaser Wells
Quam Tanner
Prince Bent
Primus Babcock
North Kingston:
Jack Fones
Prince Hammond
Moses Updike
Ceaser Updike
Fortune Watson
Prince Vaughn
Hercules Gardiner
Philon Phillips
Westerly:
Sampson Saunders
Brittan Saltonstall
Exeter:
Ruttee Gardiner.

In the above picture, it looks like two soldiers are being awarded. Notice which soldier is standing on the higher ground.... Hmmm. Could he be receiving the higher honor.