The legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers

10 th Cav. Montana

Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? “Buffalo Soldiers” – A letter in 1872 references black troops as “buffalo soldiers” –Named out of respect for the “Courage of the buffalo”

History of the Buffalo Soldiers 1792 –Federal Law barred blacks from bearing arms for the US Army 1863 –Emancipation Proclamation –Government established the Bureau of Colored Troops –General Order 233 Threatened against mistreatment of black troops by Confederate POWs 1866 –Congress passed a law creating the all black 9 th & 10 th Cavalry regiments

U.S. Army Recruitment Poster

WWI

9 th Cav., Pine ridge, S.D.

Buffalo Soldiers Statistics By the end of the Civil War –179,000 black men (10% of the army) –19,000 served in the Navy –~40,000 black soldiers died of infection or disease During the Indian Wars; –20% of the Calvary troops were black –Fought in over 177 engagements In early 1890s Buffalo Soldiers earned $13 a month

Buffalo Soldier Campaigns Western Frontier –Movement of Native Americans –Settlement of the frontier –Indian Wars Spanish-American War Philippine American War Military Campaign to capture Pancho Villa Resource Protection of the National Parks WWI