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Black Americans have fought in every war in which this country as been engaged. However, there first major participation came during the Civil War. During that bloody conflict, nearly 180,000 black men wore the Union blue. More than 33,000 of the gallant soldiers gave their lives for the sake of freedom and their country. |
| In recognition of their valuable services during the War Between the States, Congress provided legislation which enacted six regiments of black regular army soldiers. Of these six, four units were infantry and the remaining two, cavalry. |  |
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The latter were designated as the U.S. Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Regiments. Headquarters in Greenville, Louisiana and Leavenworth, Kansas, the two units were destined to become the most decorated of all U.S. Military Regiments. |
| All twelve companies of the Tenth had been organized by the summer of 1867. The majority of the men were mustered to combat hostile Cheyenne Indians along the lines of the Kansas-Pacific railroad. |  |
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The troopers soon proved their bravery and valor in skirmishes and hot fire-fights. They won the respect of the Cheyenne warriors who named them "Buffalo Soldiers." The men of the Tenth accepted the badge of honor and wore it proudly. |
| They fought with distinction in the Cheyenne War from 1867 to 1869. The Buffalo Soldiers fought in the Red River War of 1874-1875, the Ute War of 1879, the Apache Wars from 1875 through 1886 and the Sioux War of 1890-1891. |  |
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No less than thirteen Congressional Medals of Honor were presented to buffalo Soldiers during the western campaigns. |
| The services of the Buffalo Soldiers were not limited to fighting Indians during the early years. They assisted civil authorities in controlling mobs, and pursued outlaws, cattle thieves, and even Mexican revolutionaries along the border. The soldiers built or renovated dozens of posts and camps, constructed thousands of miles of roads and telegraph lines, and patrols yielded maps of uncharted wilderness which paved the way for on-coming pioneer settlers. |  |
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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. |
| Consistently present in the official reports of their white officers are the words, "bravery," "discipline," "fearlessness," and "endurance." The Buffalo Soldiers of the West rode, fought, and conducted themselves in the highest tradition of military service. Their record is one in which every American can take pride. |  |
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| The valor and exemplary service of the Buffalo Soldiers did not end on the Western Frontier. The 9th ad 10th went on to serve with Teddy Roosevelt and the "rough Riders" as they stormed up San Juan Hill. The Buffalo Soldiers served with distinction under officers "Black Jack" Pershing and Harry Truman. They fought and died in the First and Second World Wars and the Koren Conflict. |  |
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Finally, the All-Black, and ever-proud 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments were integrated. The Year was 1952. Eighty-six years after being commissioned The end of an era. The end of an important saga of American History. |
| Buffalo Soldiers from every state in the Union served bravely and with honor. The received many honors including: Twenty Congressional Medal of Honor winners; four Campaign Citations in the Indian Wars; Campaign Citations for the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection and the Mexican Expedition; the French Campaign World War I Citation; 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. |
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| Local historian A.
Gillian Alexander, 3059 390th Ave, Bogue, Kansas 67625 (785)
839-4488 gives an outstanding
verbal re-enactment of The Buffalo Soldiers of the Western
Frontier.
Nicodemus is ever so proud to list several direct family ties to the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the old west including such names as ???? |
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