GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) – Park Rangers in Guilford County are on a mission to make sure Black patriots get the recognition they deserve. They've been digging into the archives, dating back to the Revolutionary War, and are looking for forgotten soldiers connected to the battle that took place at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. The supervisory park ranger says a few hundred African Americans fought in the battle of Guilford Courthouse. “Over the course of the last year, our team has devoted a lot of time and energy into expanding our knowledge about the Black patriots who fought the Battle of Guilford Courthouse,” Guilford Courthouse National Military Park Supervisory Park Ranger Thomas Sobol said. It’s a part of history, that many visitors to Guilford Courthouse National Military Park don't realize. The list of Black heroes who fought in the famous battle during the Revolutionary War has grown from 33 names to 45.  “Our research into the Black patriots of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse really focused on records,” Sobol said. That battle happened in 1781. Sobol says they are digging through digital records to uncover and confirm these incredible stories of service. These veterans' pensions weren't available until around 1818 to the 1830s, presenting a challenge in using documents to track down some of the veterans. “We're looking at handwritten records that are over 200 years old that have been digitized, but it's up to historians, volunteers today to read these records and understand and decipher ... that 19th-century cursive that many modern folks today struggle with,” Sobol said. Still, they are pushing ahead as it is never too late to honor a hero. They've got plans to make sure the piece of war history is preserved like dramatic performances telling the stories of services and sacrifice of the Black veterans.  “We're in communication right now with our state partners. North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources are doing a lot to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War ... We are very interested in collaborating with them,” Sobol said. Some Greensboro Transit Authority buses were wrapped in honor of the Black soldiers, but city leaders say more must be done to educate people about this important part of history. “Our goal is... for the city council to have a resolution in honor of the ... Black patriots and to send it to our state and federal legislators to ... garner ... financial support to help fund something that the national parks will agree to utilize,” Greensboro City Councilman for District 3 Zack Matheny said. Sobol says in the number of Black patriots they have identified, one was an enslaved person. Park staff’s goal is to have something in place to further showcase the history of Black patriots in 2026 for the country’s 250th anniversary and in 2031 for the battle of Guilford Courthouse Military 250th anniversary.