A private soldier of the Rhode Island Regiment in the summer of 1781. Contrary to popular belief , African and Native Americans composed only about 27% of the regiment at this time . They were organized into two companies (of 9 in the regiment) with a few others as musicians, etc. About in the middle of the war some of the New England regiments moved their Black soldiers into their own separate companies . I suspect this was more for a uniform look on the parade ground than for any other reason. The 2nd Continental Light dragoons consolidated all their gray horse into one troop because it just looked better. Thanks to Historian John Rees for the RIR regiment stats.