1. Buffalo soldiers

2. African Americans have fought in military conflicts since colonial days. However, the Buffalo Soldiers, comprised of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War soldiers, were the first to serve during peacetime.

3. These regiments would become known as
Official Beginnings
July 28th, 1866, provisions were made for the Negroes to serve in the U.S. Army
Six regiments, 2 of Cavalry and 4 of infantry were authorized
The Ninth (9th) and Tenth (10th) U.S. Cavalry Regiments
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These regiments would become known as
The Buffalo Soldiers

4. What did they do? Guarded the mail
Escorted/guarded stage coaches, cattle drives, railroads crews and surveyors
Built roads and telegraph lines
Mapped and explored
Played a major part in building the west and making it safe for the coming westward expansion.

5. Role in the Indian Wars
The 9th and 10th conducted campaigns against Native American tribes on the western frontier extending from Montana in the NW to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in the SW.
During this time, approximately 20% of the U.S. Cavalry troopers were Black.
They fought in over 177
engagements during the
Indian Wars.

6. Why “Buffalo Soldiers” ?
There are several possible origins for the 9th & 10th cav.’s name:
combat prowess, bravery, tenaciousness, and looks on the battlefield
name symbolized the Native Americans’ respect for the Buffalo Soldiers' bravery and valor
because of the Negro's dark and strange kinky hair was so similar to the buffalo
the Plains Indians felt that like the mighty buffalo, the Buffalo Soldiers fought ferociously to the end.

7. Why did they want to join the army?
the chance for social and economic betterment. (Something difficult to achieve in a society all but closed to them)
they were free, but many did not have skills to go forward or a place to go. (So many felt that the army would be a new home)
the adventure of being sent west to help tame an untamed wilderness
this could lead them to their great dream--building a new life on their own land
the prospect of learning how to read and write--they felt this would bring them closer to learning and therefore to earning the respect of the white men (knowing what the white man knew would help them survive and prosper)

8. What hardships did they face?
Enlisted for a minimum of 5 years
Received the basic troopers pay of thirteen dollars per month, plus quarters, meals and uniforms
Most started with uniforms and equipment that was castoff remnants of both Civil War armies
Received the crippled and sickly horses left from the Civil War. (Up until now, the cavalry had always been given the finest of horses)
Served two continuous decades on the Great Plains and in the mountains and deserts of New Mexico and Arizona
Arrived at Fort Stockton and Davis to find the forts were in disrepair and required complete rebuilding by them.

9. Timeline
1862: (November) first all-black unit formed, the 1st regiment of South Carolina Volunteers.
1866: (July) Congress approves legislation creating six all black regiments in the U.S. army: he 9th and 10th cavalry, and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry.
1869: the four infantry regiments consolidated into two — the 24th and 25th.
1869: the 9th and 10th cavalry and the 24th infantry sent to the frontier to fight in the Indian Wars.
1871: term "Buffalo Soldier" first used.
Spanish-American war: 9th and 10th cavalry and 24th and 25th infantry sent to Cuba. Cavalry marches alongside the infantry, since horses were still at sea. The Buffalo Soldiers participate in battle of San Juan Hill, alongside future president Theodore Roosevelt.
: portions of all four Buffalo Soldier regiments and two new black volunteer regiments see action in the Philippines.

10. Timeline Continued
1903: Buffalo Soldiers assigned to patrol national parks in California, including Yosemite, General Grant, Sequoia and the Presidio. Captain Charles Young, the third black West Point graduate, was named Acting Superintendent of Sequoia National Park. The Buffalo Soldiers continue to patrol the parks until the National Park Service was created in 1916.
1915: participate in America's punitive expedition into Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa.
1950s: the U.S. army integrates, ending the glorious tradition and service of the Buffalo Soldiers.

11. Interesting Facts:
A woman, Cathay Williams, disguised herself as a man
and served as a Buffalo Soldier from 1866 to 1868.
At least 18 Medals of Honor were presented to Buffalo Soldiers during the Western Campaigns. (Similarly, 23 African Americans received the nation's highest military award during the Civil War.)
George Armstrong Custer turned down a command
of the Buffalo Soldiers. When he was given a
commission with the Buffalo Soldiers of the Ninth
U.S. Cavalry, he refused to accept it. (To their good
fortune). He was not the only officer to refuse a
commission. Ironically, these very same Buffalo Soldiers
ended up rescuing Custer and his command when he and
his men were pinned down during an engagement.

12. Other notable history:
Buffalo Soldiers participated in many other military campaigns:
The Spanish American War
The Philippine Insurrection
The Mexican Expedition
World War I
World War II
The Korean Police Action
Chased bandit Pancho Villa
Fought with Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill
The 9th Cavalry was Guard of Honor for President T. Roosevelt when he visited San Francisco and the Presidio. This was the first time black cavalry soldiers served as escort for a U.S. President.