Review of Black Redcoats: The Corps of Colonial Marines 1814-1816, by Matthew Taylor

A delicious, adventurous, true tale of American blacks living out their revenge against their oppressors. 

This is the book I was looking for. I was looking for information about the ex-slaves who became Royal Marines and burned down the White House. I was delighted to find an entire book dedicated to the subject, and so much more. Author Mathew Taylor delivers a fascinating tale rarely told.

Black Redcoats covers the origins of the War of 1812, the Chesapeake campaign, and the British proclamation of freedom to all who’d join their ranks. The book is filled with emotionally charged anecdotes and vignettes of real people, making this human story more poignant. 

It also covers the Georgia and Florida campaigns, the end of the war, the fate of the Royal Colonial Marines, and their surviving legacy. Most importantly, this book tells the story of the brave men who threw off their chains and truly fought for freedom. 

The author himself is British and makes no attempt to hide his patriotism and pride in his country’s military heritage. However, I believe this is an objective and fair account of the very human story behind the war. Taylor also points out the British Empire’s own duplicity in offering freedom to American slaves who came to their ranks, while maintaining slavery in their own colonies. He pulls no punches when it comes to criticizing his own country, as he does the United States.

This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about this often brushed-over conflict and is interested in true stories about human perseverance and heroism. Bravo, Mr. Taylor.

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