 The second , more substantial , Corps served from 18 May 1814 until 20 August 1816 . The greater part of the Corps was stationed on the Atlantic coast , with a smaller body occupying a fort on the Gulf coast in Florida . Recruits were accepted from among escaped slaves who had already gained their freedom on coming into British hands and who were unwilling to join West India Regiments . The establishment of the force sparked controversy at the time , the arming of former slaves representing a psychological threat to the slave @-@ owning society of the Americas ) . As a consequence , the two senior officers of the Corps in Florida ( George Woodbine and Edward Nicolls ) were demonised in Niles ' Register for their association with the Corps and inducing slave revolt . 
