British Army and Sherman's Army

 

  We picture Sherman's army marching through the south followed by trails of escaped slaves.  By the thousands at some times.  What we don't remember is this was not the first time this happened.  In 1781 when Cornwallis marched through Virginia it was a massive preview of what Sherman would later see.  It has been estimated that upwards of over  12,000 slaves ran away to join Cornwallis army as it marched across Virginia.   Some historians suggest the number may be higher. In addition the stables of Virginia were now used to remount the Crown cavalry.   General Greene had been begging for horses to be sent to his army in South Carolina but Jefferson refused and held back.  These same horses were now used to remount the British Legion, Queens Rangers and a mounted infantry company from the 23rd.  * For one of the very few times in the war in the south the British cavalry were equal. or superior in quality to the Americans cavalry.

  

Ewald:  "Every officer had four to six horses and three to four negroes, as well as one or two negresses for cook and maid.  Every soldier's women was mounted and also had a negro and negresses on horseback for her servants. Each squad had one or two horses and a negroand every non commissioned officer had two horses and a negro."

"Yes indeed, I can testify that every soldier had his negro who carried his provisions and bundles. The multitude always hunted at a gallop and behind the baggage followed over four thousand negresses of both sexes and all ages."

Ewald discovered that in his own detachment his men possessed twenty horses and that "almost every jager has his negroe.". But within 24 hours I had brought everything back on the track again."

Cornwallis' attempted to bring order from chaos and restrict the number of horses and ex slaves employed by his officers and men.  orders were issued.  A Colonel,  Lt. Colonel or Major could have five horses and two blacks as servents. A Captain could have three horses and one servant.  Staff and junior officers could have two horses and one servant.  Surgeons and Sergeant Major had one horse and servants.  Enlisted men were not allowed anything, as usual.  "No women (white camp followers) or negroes to possess a hirsee, nor and negresses to be suffered to rude on a march except such as belong to the public departments."

To designate those escaped slaves who were officially with the army Cornwallis ordered, "The number or name of the corps to be marked on a conspicuous manner on the jacket of each negroe.". " All negroes who are not marked agreeable to the orders repeated at Petersburg will be taken up and sent away from the army."

* according to Lt. Mackenzie the 71st were supposed to be used as mounted infantry but refused to Tarleton losing the 1/71st ar Cowpens.  

sources:

Gregory J. W. Urwin:  When Freedom Wore a Red Coat: How Cornwallis’ 1781 Campaign Threatened the Revolution in Virginia

Army History, No. 68 (Summer 2008), pp. 6-23 (18 pages)

Lord Cornwallis' Insignia for Runaway Enslaved Peoples

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I2z5jDdu_kQ