"By 1779, about 4 % of the soldiers in the Continental Army were African Americans, and large numbers of black sailors also served in the Continental navy".
Explanation:
African Americans, as free men or as slaves, served on both sides.
In November 1775, Lord Dunmore freed all slaves who would fight on the British side, which naturally attracted a large number of blacks to the British side.
In 1779, 10,000 Negroes deserted from the US Army and joined the British ranks.