Billy Lee and Washington's Army

In the Burns video the issue of segregation in the US inilitary was raised, but not clearly defined.  In fact, Truman ordered that all units be integrated for the first time since George Washington integrated his army during the Revolutionary War. This tale is told in both the stage play and the novel version of "The Ballad of Billy Lee." At first, the Continental Congress had ordered  that "No Negroes, old men or boys unable to carry guns," shall be enlisted. But Washington changed his tune when militias left the army after short term enlistments and the problems of pathetic pay made recruitment difficult. He opened enlistment to freedmen, and eventually thousands  of African-Americans fought in the American army -- but never any slaves.