Buffalo Soldiers of the Western Frontier

African Americans have made significant contributions in every American War, including the American Revolution and the Civil War. After the Civil War, a Congressional act allowed for the formation of all black regiments during peacetime.

Many former slaves, freeman, and Civil War soldiers looking for better economic opportunities and full or patriotic pride eagerly signed up. Units were compromised of cavalry or horseback and infantry, also called foot soldiers.

• 9^th Cavalry: Organized in 1866 in Louisiana and made up of black men from Kentucky and Louisiana.
• 10^th Cavalry: Started in 1866 and recruited men primarily from Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.
• 24^th Infantry Regiment: Consolidation of the 38^th and 41^st Infantry Regiment. The 24^th was organized in 1869 and served in the southwest.
• 25^th Cavalry: Joining of the 39^th and 40^th Infantry Regiments. The 25^th Cavlary was primarily based in Texas. All members of the 25^th were veterans from the Civil War who fought for the Union.

The name 'buffalo soldiers' was originally given to the 9^th and 10^th cavalry during the Indian Wars by Native Americans. Native Americans saw the courage, stamina, strength, and ferociousness of the all black soldiers, the same traits they found in the buffalo. The name eventually was used to represent all black soldiers serving in the segregated units.  

During the Westward movement, Buffalo soldiers were integral to the expansion of the nation. They built roads and built buildings, escorted settlers, and explored and mapped the territory. Soldiers conducted scouting missions and defended water supplies, supply trainsm and forts--as well as hanging telegraph lines across the West. A primary part of their mission was to remove designated tribes to reservations and engage in conflict with warring Native Americans.

Stationed throughout the West, Buffalo Soldiers served under racial tension that sometimes boiled over into attacks. Slurs, harassment, beatings, and even several attacks occurred. Very little recognition was given to the soldiers for all their contributions and after the turn of the century became increasingly used as laborers.

Buffalo soldiers participated in many military campaigns including the Spanish-American War. In World War I over 400,000 African-Americans served, during World War II that number more than doubled with 1,000,000 men and women contributing their services to the conflict. It wasn't until 1948 that President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order ending slavery in the military. Both blacks and whites valiantly served and die in Korea. In 1965, 20 African-Americans received a medal of honor for service in the Vietnam War, almost as many were given out to the Buffalo Soldiers who served during the Western Campaigns. Today a Buffalo Soldiers Monument is dedicated to the memory of the all black regiments at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

The Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th & 10th Cavalry

Buffalo Soldiers at Wikipedia

Buffalo Soldiers and the Congressional Medal of Honor

Buffalo Soldiers Ninth & Tenth Cavalry Association

Buffalo Soldiers at San Juan Hill

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Vermont Buffalo Soldiers

Buffalo Soldiers & Indian Wars at Buffalosoldier.net

The Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Ethan Allen

US Army Center of Military History: Buffalo Soldiers on the Eve of War

9th Memorial Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Videos

Photos of Buffalo Soldiers

Buffalo Soldiers from the Civil War to World War I  

Female Buffalo Soldier Cathay Williams