It is our duty to tell the story of the Buffalo Soldiers and because of their past, we have a future. So, as you read the information below, pass it on to all who are willing to listen but most of all reach out to our youth so that they will know of the sacrifices of the Buffalo Soldiers.
BUFFALO SOLDIERS…
The Beginning… The year 1450 brought a multitude of changes to the continent of North America. Native Americans encountered European explorers who would soon transform and largely destroy their world. These same explorers began a trans-Atlantic slave trade that would not only bring millions of African slaves to North America, but in time lead to a new social and economic structure where the color of one’s skin determined whether one might be free or live as a slave for life. In every major war, throughout the history of the United States, from the American Revolution through the Indian Wars, Native-Americans and African-Americans fought with and against each other. This scenario prevailed throughout the Civil War. Some tribes fought for the South, such as the Cherokees, while others assisted the North like the Seminoles. When northern troops arrived in the south, thousands of slaves ran away or were emancipated to join in the fight…their fight…for freedom. • shelter • education • steady pay • medical attention • and a pension Thus began the Legend of the Buffalo Soldiers, the first African Americans to serve during peacetime. How the Buffalo Soldiers Got Their Name Some say the nickname Buffalo Soldiers began with the Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The black soldiers were ferocious and courageous in battle, even when outnumbered. Out of respect, the Cheyenne referred to these hard-fighting black men in blue as "Buffalo Soldiers" - reportedly because their hair resembled that of the revered bison. Another possibility for the nickname was the heavy buffalo robes the soldiers wore on winter campaigns. Others say that the Plains Indians nicknamed them Buffalo Soldiers because the buffalo was a symbol of strength and courage - characteristics easily identified with the black troops of the West. Most agree that because the Buffalo was a sacred animal to the Indians, the Cavalrymen accepted the title with great pride. Proudly adopted, the name became a highly respected American legacy. Female Buffalo Soldier Cathay Williams was born into slavery in Independence, Missouri in 1842. She worked as a house slave for William Johnson, a wealthy planter in Jefferson City, Missouri. She worked for him until his death. About the same time, the Civil War broke out and she was freed by Union soldiers. After the war, Williams wanted to be financially independent so she joined the army. When Cathay Williams enlisted in the army, women were not allowed to serve as soldiers. Therefore, Williams posed as a man. In November 1866, she enlisted as William Cathay in the Thirty-Eighth United States Infantry, Company A. She was able to do so because a medical examination was not required. Only her cousin and a friend were aware of her real identity. As a result, she became the first and the only known female Buffalo Soldier. Company A arrived at Fort Cummings in New Mexico on October 1, 1867. At the fort, Williams and her company protected miners and traveling immigrants from Apache Indian attack. While serving in Company A, there was insubordination among some of the troops, but Williams was not involved in the incidents. In 1868, Williams grew tired of military life so she feigned illness. She was examined by the post surgeon who then discovered that she was a woman. She was discharged October 14, 1868. From thereafter, she worked for the Army as a paid servant. While serving the soldiers, she experienced military life first hand. She served Colonel Benton while he was in Little Rock, Arkansas. She also served General Sheridan and his staff, and was later recruited to Washington to serve as a cook and laundress for them. While traveling with them, she witnessed the Shenandoah Valley raids in Virginia. After leaving Virginia, she traveled to Iowa and then went on to St. Louis. Throughout her time working for the Army, she also had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans, Savannah, and Macon. After various doctor’s exams and investigation, the Pension Bureau rejected her claim on medical grounds, stating that no disability existed. Further, they found that her discharge certificate indicated her feeble condition pre-dated enlistment and was not due to service. Lastly, and most obviously, her service in the Army was not legal, and any type of pension, disability or otherwise, was denied. What happened to Cathay Williams afterwards is unknown, but it appears that she may have died sometime between 1892 and 1900 as her name no longer appeared on Census rolls from 1900. Cathay Williams at age 47 or 48 • The Cheyenne War from 1867 to 1869. • The Red River War of 1874-1875 • The Ute War of 1879 • The Apache Wars from 1875 through 1886 • And in the Sioux War of 1890-1891 No less than thirteen Congressional Medals of Honor were presented to Buffalo Soldiers during the Western Campaign. In the end, 23 black soldiers of the Ninth and Tenth Companies won the Medal of Honor, the highest award this country gives for the most outstanding performance under enemy fire. • Sergeant Thomas Boyne • Second Lieutenant, George R. Burnett • Second Lieutenant Matthias W. Day • Sergeant John Denny • Second Lieutenant Robert Temple Emmet • Captain Francis S. Dodge • Corporal Clinton Greaves, • Sergeant Henry Johnson • Sergeant George Jordan • Sergeant Thomas Shaw • Sergeant Emanuel Stance • Private Augustus Walley • 1st Sergeant Moses Williams • Corporal William O. Wilson • Sergeant Brent Wood 10th Cavalry Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients: • Captain Louis H. Carpenter • Sergeant Major Edward L. Baker • Second Lieutenant Powhattan H. Clarke • Private Dennis Bell • Private Fitz Lee • Sergeant William McBryar • Sergeant William Tompkins • Private George H. Wanton • Twenty-three Congressional Medals of Honor • Thirteen Campaign Citations in the Western Wars • Campaign Citations for the Spanish-American War • Philippine Insurrection • Mexican Expedition • The French Campaign • World War I Citations • Five Unit Citations from World War II • Ten Unit Citations from the Korean Conflict • Three Presidential Unit Citations • A Navy Unit Commendation • A Philippine Presidential Citation and • Two Republic of Korea Presidential Citations The Services of the Buffalo soldiers was not limited to fighting Indians in the early years. They… • Explored and yielded maps of uncharted wilderness which paved the way for on-coming pioneer settlers • Assisted civil authorities in controlling mobs • Pursued outlaws, cattle thieves, and even Mexican revolutionaries along the border • Built or renovated dozens of posts and camps • Protected work crews building the transcontinental railroad • Served as the first US Border Patrol • Rode ‘shotgun’ on stagecoaches • Protected the giant redwoods of California before the establishment of the US Forest Service • Protected settlers • Rode ‘shotgun’ on stagecoaches • Escorted wagon trains • Delivered mail longer than the Pony Express • Constructed thousands of miles of roads and telegraph lines, and patrols The valor and exemplary service of the Buffalo Soldiers did not end on the Western Frontier. The 9th and 10th went on to serve with Teddy Roosevelt and the “Rough Riders" as they stormed up San Juan Hill. They not only were with him, but played an important role in the battle. Official and unofficial reports of this battle are recorded in Record Group 391, US Regular army Mobile Units, 1821-1942. Buffalo Soldiers fought and died in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean Conflict and the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers served with distinction under officer “Black Jack" Pershing. The rest is history… In reports from their white officers, the words bravery, discipline, fearlessness, and endurance were consistently present. The Buffalo Soldiers rode, fought, and conducted them in the highest tradition of military service. Prejudice and Discrimination Despite this record of achievement, the Buffalo Soldiers faced constant prejudice and discrimination. Much of the recognition for their efforts was robbed by jealous leaders. Often simple justice could not be found. Such detriments may have destroyed the morale of many other military units, but they failed to do so with the proud ninth and tenth. Of all American soldiers, they had the hardest fight. There was not only the enemy to defeat, but the hearts and minds of their fellow soldiers to be won. The Buffalo Soldiers had the lowest desertion rate in the Army. They were: • Recipients of hand-me-down uniforms, equipment and weapons • Given broken-down horses • Beneficiaries of poor diets • Subjected to the harshest punishment • Under the jurisdiction of racist officers • Posted in the worst part of the country in hostile environments Finally, the All-Black, and ever-proud 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments were integrated. The Year was 1952... eighty-six years after being commissioned. It was the end of an era ... the end of an important saga of American History. The Buffalo Soldiers have been honored for their bravery and service, more than any other American Military Unit. Yet, in spite of their great sacrifices and outstanding performance, the Buffalo Soldiers were not fully recognized or appreciated by their country until 1992. On July 25, 1992, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on the exact site where the Buffalo Soldiers lived and died, a magnificent homage to their spirit and legacy was erected: a bronze statue (shown below) commissioned by General Colin Powell, a great tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers! The monument was constructed to honor, for all time, the heroic contribution made by these Black American Heroes, and paid for totally from private and corporate funds in a fundraising effort spearhead by Commander Carlton Philpot, U. S. Navy Retired, guest speaker at the historical event.
For the Blacks in bondage, brought over on slave vessels hundreds of years before, the time for freedom had arrived.
When the time came, many African Americans took a long hard look at military service which offered:
When the Civil War ended in 1865, 186,000 former slaves and freedmen had served in the United States Colored Troops (USCT), 10% of the total Union strength. Another 30,000 served in the navy and 200,000 more served as workers on labor, hospital engineering, and other military support projects: taps sounded over the bodies of 38,000. Though they had not lived free, they died free…
In 1866, one year after the end of the Civil War and more than six months after the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery was enacted; Congress had the need to reorganize the peacetime regular army. Recognizing the military merits of black soldiers, four black infantry regiments and two segregated regiments of black cavalry, were authorized, composed of former slaves, freedmen and Black Civil War soldiers, the latter, designated as the Ninth and the Tenth United States Cavalry, were destined to become the most decorated of all U.S. Military Regiments.
Stories relating to the origin of the legendary name "Buffalo Soldiers" are as varied as there are people to tell them.
How They Dressed
During the 1870-1880's, the Buffalo Soldier wore a flannel shirt, and a blouse of dark blue with light blue trousers tucked into over-the-knee boots. Also, civil war kepi (hat) adorned with crossed sabers bearing regimental and troop designation. He was armed with a 45-70 Springfield carbine (rifle), a Colt Army .45, (1873 model) caliber pistol and a saber. His horse was outfitted with a slouch 'campaign' hat, black at first and a light grayish-brown by 1874. The Buffalo Soldiers were not issued a neckerchief but generally wore one of his own color of choice anyway. Sometimes yellow more often red or white. These were real necessities, especially for the men riding further back in the column needing protection from the thick clouds of dust kicked up by the front ranks.
Some years later, she was hospitalized in early 1890, for nearly a year and a half. By the time she left the hospital, she was completely without funds and in June, 1891 filed for a pension from the U.S. Army. Her application claimed that she was suffering deafness, rheumatism and neuralgia, all of which she had contracted while in the army.
The Buffalo Soldiers Fought with Distinction...
They fought in …
The Bravest of the Brave... We Can, We Will
9th Cavalry Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients:
The Bravest of the Brave... Ready and Forward 
Buffalo Soldiers from every state in the Union served bravely and with honors.
They received many honors, including;
Their record is one in which all Americans can take pride. 
Lest we forget …
Buffalo Soldiers Memorial, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
They later on were named "Buffalo Soldiers", motto: "We Can, We Will" Their adversary, whether Indians, outlaws, Mexican revolutionaries, or gun smugglers, found that the Buffalo Soldiers, like their namesake, could not easily be diverted from their trail. Whatever the reason for the name, the Buffalo Soldier has come down in American military history as one of the proudest individuals of all.
24th Infantry Regiment
Organized in 1869 after consolidation of two other Black units, 38th and 41st Infantry Regiments. For more than twenty years, the unit occupied military post in the southwest, protecting and maintaining peace on the turbulent frontier. In addition to battle engagements, the members of the regiment built roads, guarded stage stations, constructed and repaired telegraph lines, guarded waterholes, and escorted supply trains, survey parties, freight wagons and mail coaches, as well as performing scouting patrols.
25th Infantry Regiment
Organized at Jackson Barracks, Louisiana in April 1868, and composed of personnel from the all Black 39th and 40th Infantry Regiments. The enlisted men came mostly from northern Virginia and southern Louisiana, and all were seasoned Union veterans. The regiment only spent a short time at Jackson Barracks before moving to the Texas frontier. In May and June 1870, the entire regiment went in bivouac for the last time as a unit for many years to come after which they were scattered to numerous posts in West Texas. They established and operated a lumber camp and sawmill, managed food and supply routes, built roads, buildings, telegraph lines, and carried out scouting functions while engaging in conflicts with various warring factions.
