Buffalo Soldiers of the Western Frontier


Following the end of the American Civil War (1861-1865), the United States Army reorganized to address the challenges of postwar reconstruction, Native American resistance, and westward expansion.
As part of this restructuring, on July 28, 1866, Congress passed the Army Reorganization Act, which formally established six all-Black that fought in many wars in the United States and abroad, but not beside white soldiers.
This permission of allowing African-American men to serve came from the authorization of United States Congress in 1866. The "Buffalo soldiers" were the term coined for the following Regiments:
- The 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments
- The 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry Regiments (later consolidated into the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments)
These units, composed of African American soldiers led by white officers, became known as the Buffalo Soldiers—a name given to them by Native American tribes, likely due to their dark, curly hair resembling a buffalo’s mane and their tenacity in battle. To the Native American, the Buffalo Soldier had the same strength and agility as the buffalo.
These segregated regiments of soldiers fought against Indians, cattle rustlers and outlaws. They also did their share of work in controlling the Mexican Revolutionaries. When they were not fighting the enemy, they were building forts and upholding the backbone of the support system required for traveling stagecoaches and railroad workers.
Buffalo Soldiers in the Indian Wars

From the 1860s through the 1890s, Buffalo Soldiers fought in several key campaigns against Native American nations resisting U.S. expansion into their lands. While their role in these conflicts remains a complex and often debated aspect of history, their effectiveness as soldiers was undeniable.
During the Red River War from 1874 to 1875, Buffalo Soldiers helped defeat the Comanche, Kiowa, and Southern Cheyenne tribes, forcing them onto reservations.
The Victorio Campaign (1879-1880) saw the 9th and 10th Cavalry pursued and engage the Apache leader Victorio and his warriors across Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.
Another notable moment of the Indian Wars was throughout the Battle of Big Dry Wash (1882). The 10th Cavalry played a critical role in defeating the Apache in Arizona due to their discipline, marksmanship, and survival skills that they had learned and gained through training and the resilience they had from the discrimination they constantly faced in life and within the Army.
Buffalo Soldiers Through The Rest Of History

Although Buffalo Soldiers are most commonly associated with the American West, their contributions extended beyond frontier conflicts.
Spanish-American War (1898) - Buffalo Soldiers played a pivotal role in the Spanish-American War, particularly in the famous Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba. Serving alongside Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, the 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments helped secure a decisive victory, though their contributions were largely overshadowed by Roosevelt’s fame.
Border Patrol & the Mexican Expedition (1916-1917) - Buffalo Soldiers were also instrumental in patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border during increased tensions with Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. They took part in General John J. Pershing’s expedition into Mexico, attempting to capture Villa after his raid on Columbus, New Mexico.
Early 20th Century Contributions - By the early 1900s, Buffalo Soldiers were assigned to various peacekeeping and law enforcement roles within the U.S. They served as National Park Rangers in places like Yosemite and Sequoia as well as Garrison troops protecting federal property and settlements
Buffalo Soldiers in World War I & II - While the Buffalo Soldier regiments remained active, they were largely relegated to non-combat roles during World War I. Many African American soldiers instead served in newly formed all-Black units, such as the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions, which saw combat in France under the command of French officers. Buffalo Soldier units remained segregated into World War II but served with distinction in the Pacific theater and European theater. However, the winds of change were coming. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman made the call that would finally put an end to this form of segregation.
Disbandment and Legacy
President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which desegregated the U.S. military, bringing an official end to the Buffalo Soldier regiments as distinct units. In 2005, the Buffalo Soldiers were posthumously honored with a monument at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, recognizing their immense contributions to American history. The Buffalo Soldiers were trailblazers at the front of segregation and fighting for a country that isn't perfect, but was constantly pushing to be better, no matter how slow the change occurred. We honor their sacrifices and like to create a positive message of American pride here at Gettysburg Flag Works because marginalized groups like the Buffalo soldiers did not play a small role in the American military, or in building this nation. Their tasks were absolutely shaped the way we live today.
For more information on the Buffalo Soldiers of the Western Frontier, you can look at this page by Frederic L. Milliken and the database of historical markers page
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