Smallwood’s Maryland Battalion saves George Washington’s army at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights. Hundreds sacrifice themselves to slow the British attack. A loss will likely mean the end of the Revolutionary effort. The event begins the designation of all Maryland troops as the Maryland Line. (The designation of Maryland as The Old Line State honors the Revolutionary War soldiers, and is not a reference to a boundary line.)
Thomas Carney (1754-1828), the best known Black Revolutionary War soldier, born free in Caroline County, enlists in the Continental Army’s 5th Maryland Regiment. He transfers to the Maryland Line and is promoted to corporal. Carney is a veteran of the 1777 and 1778 northern campaigns, but is best known for his participation in the southern campaigns of 1781.
General Washington’s Continentals have Black and white soldiers serving together. Although their number is small, Black soldiers serve side by side with the rest of the army. The U.S. Army is not officially integrated until the Korean War.
William Smallwood, future governor of Maryland, is born in Charles County to a family who have enslaved individuals.
