Colonel Tye was an African American Loyalist leader during the American Revolutionary War. After escaping from slavery in 1775, he led an all-Black Loyalist militia unit, the Black Brigade, on raids against Patriots in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was one of the most effective guerilla leaders of the war to fight on the Loyalist side.

Why was Colonel Tye such an effective fighter?

Colonel Tye made use of his intimate knowledge of the land of Monmouth County to effectively strike his Patriot targets and then slip back to safety before the Patriot militias could retaliate.

How did Colonel Tye die?

Colonel Tye died in September 1780, after a minor wound sustained during a raid became infected. He was only 27.

Colonel Tye

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Definition

Colonel Tye (c. 1753-1780) was an African-American Loyalist leader who commanded one of the most effective guerilla forces of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). Born into slavery, he escaped in 1775 and joined the British cause, leading a Loyalist militia known as the Black Brigade on raids against Patriot militias. He died in September 1780 of wounds sustained during a raid.

More about: Colonel Tye

Timeline

1753 - 1780
Life of Colonel Tye, a Black Loyalist who led an all-Black militia unit, the Black Brigade, on raids against Patriot militias during the American Revolution.