The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was a regiment raised during the American Revolutionary War, which lasted from 1775 to 1783. Although it is considered the first black military unit, it was not exclusively black.
It was organized on May 8, 1775 under Colonel James Varnum and became known as Varnum's Regiment. He marched to Massachusetts in June 1775 where they took part in the siege of Boston. The soldiers, who had signed up until the end of 1775 were discharged on New Year's Eve.
They were reorganized on January 1, 1776 as the 9th Continental Regiment. When they were reorganized in 1777 they became known as the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. It was one of the few units in the Continental Army to serve through the entire war, disbanding in November 1783.
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