Both the British and the Patriots assigned African-Americans to a variety of roles, including manual labor and specialized work such as carpentry, metal work, guiding and piloting. Others served as orderlies, cooks and servants. They also served as combat soldiers in both the British army and in bands of Loyalist irregulars. The Patriot side, however, was divided over the issue of arming slaves. The Southern states strenuously opposed it, fearing it would lead to slave uprisings. At first, they were also reluctant to allow free African-Americans to serve in the army. In the North, however, both enslaved and free African-Americans served with distinction as line soldiers.