The History of the First West India Regiment

** "The History of the First West India Regiment" by A.B. Ellis is a historical record from the late 1800s that tells the story of a unique army unit. It focuses on the First West India Regiment, a group of mainly African soldiers, and how they fit into the British colonial army. The book shows their courage and success in different battles in the Americas and the Caribbean. We learn that the author appreciates the help he received from others while researching. The book starts by explaining why the British Empire needed a local army in the West Indies and how this regiment was formed to meet that need. It describes the problems faced by British leaders, why it was helpful to recruit soldiers locally, and the backgrounds of the African soldiers who joined. The story also includes important military events, like the American Revolutionary War, that shaped the regiment's early years. **