14 Facts About Colonel Tye

Colonel Tye fought with a volunteer corps of escaped Virginia Colony slaves in the Ethiopian Regiment, and he led the Black Brigade associators.

Colonel Tye was one of the most feared and effective guerrilla leaders opposing the American patriot forces in central New Jersey.

Colonel Tye led several successful raids during the summer of 1779, seizing food and fuel, taking prisoners, and freeing many slaves.

Colonel Tye's group worked in tandem with a white Loyalist unit, known as the "Queen's Rangers", to defend British-occupied New York City.

Colonel Tye's forces attacked and killed Joseph Murray in his home in retaliation for Murray's vigilante executions of loyalists.

Colonel Tye raided Barnes Smock, a leader of Patriot militia in Monmouth County.

Colonel Tye captured 12 of Smock's supporters and destroyed his artillery.

Colonel Tye briefly captured Huddy, but in a surprise attack, a party of Patriots helped Huddy escape.

Colonel Tye developed tetanus and gangrene from the wound suffered in the raid against Huddy.

Colonel Tye had served a crucial role for the British forces in the area as he led numerous successful raids and battles against the local patriots.

Many Americans contended that the war at the New Jersey shore would have been won much sooner had Colonel Tye been enlisted on their side.

Colonel Tye served as an example of the role of African Americans during the Revolutionary War.

The promise of freedom inspired African American men like Colonel Tye to join the Loyalist cause.

Further, Colonel Tye's exploits intensified white anxieties about slave revolt and served to reinforce anti-abolition sentiment.