Peter's War: A New England Slave Boy and the American Revolution

Peter's War follows the true story of Peter Byus, a young enslaved boy in Massachusetts who lived during the American Revolution. His experiences provide a window into both slavery in colonial New England and the complex dynamics of the Revolutionary period. Malcolm reconstructs Peter's life through historical documents, tracing his path from enslavement through his involvement in the American Revolution. The narrative moves between Peter's personal journey and the broader historical context of 18th century New England, including details about colonial life, warfare, and the institution of slavery. This deeply researched account combines military history with social history, examining how the Revolutionary War affected enslaved people in New England. The book tracks Peter's interactions with both Patriots and Loyalists, revealing the difficult choices faced by enslaved individuals during this period of upheaval. Through Peter's story, Malcolm illustrates the contradictions inherent in a revolution founded on liberty while maintaining the practice of slavery. The book raises questions about freedom, loyalty, and the meaning of independence in early America.

Very few reader reviews exist for this academic history book about Peter, an enslaved boy who served in the American Revolution. The limited reviews focus on the book's research and documentation. Readers noted the book fills a gap in Revolutionary War scholarship by examining the experiences of child soldiers and enslaved people. Multiple readers appreciated Malcolm's use of primary sources and military records to reconstruct Peter's story. Key criticism centered on the limited source material available about Peter himself, requiring Malcolm to make assumptions and rely heavily on contextual information about the time period. Current ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6 ratings, 2 reviews) Amazon: No customer reviews WorldCat: No reader reviews Sample reader comment from Goodreads: "An interesting look at a largely unexplored aspect of the American Revolution - the role of enslaved children who served in the Continental Army. While source material about Peter is scarce, Malcolm provides valuable context about the broader experiences of enslaved soldiers."

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🔹 Peter was just eight years old when his owner, John Codman, was murdered by two of his other enslaved people in 1755. Peter later testified in the murder trial, which ended in the rare execution of slaves by burning. 🔹 Author Joyce Lee Malcolm is a Patrick Henry Professor of Constitutional Law and the Second Amendment at George Mason University, bringing her expertise in early American legal history to Peter's story. 🔹 The book reveals how Peter earned his freedom by enlisting in the Continental Army, serving multiple tours of duty during the American Revolution - a path to liberation chosen by approximately 5,000 Black soldiers. 🔹 Peter's experiences are woven into the larger story of Massachusetts' gradual abolition of slavery, which began with the 1780 state constitution declaring all men "free and equal." 🔹 Through detailed research of court records, military documents, and personal papers, Malcolm reconstructs Peter's remarkable journey from enslaved child witness to free Revolutionary War veteran and property owner.