Buffalo Soldiers

[BLUEHAWK]

Does anybody out there have any idea of how many Buffalo Soldiers ended up fighting the Indian Wars out west, as cavalry/infantry units?

Or, how did they become Buffalo Soldiers from having been enlisted during the War of Rebellion?

[Tamaroa]

Brief history here, the first Black troops were actually raised by the Confederates, they were the 1st Louisiana Native Guards. They were captured, paroled and reenlisted into the Union Army, same name. Other blacks were enlisted in the Carolinas as they were emancipated but the first unit to achieve "famous" status was the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. The movie Glory starring Denzel washington is a fictionalized account of them. Its good but takes a lot of liberties.Other units of note were the 20th and 26th U.S. Colored Troops as well as the 10th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. All in all, about 185,000 Black troops served during the Civil War.

Ironically, I just bought a book about the Buffalo Soldiers. Have not read it yet. There were two regiments actively recruited for Indian fighting. John J. Pershing actually commanded them and was nicknamed "Black Jack" as a result. His black troops actually fought in Cuba.

I will look up the particulars when I get home tonight. It was due to be about the 3rd book in line to be read, but I will jump it over the others to get you the info.

A few years ago Danny Glover made a movie called Buffalo Soldiers. I saw it and thought it was fairly good.

I know the info is sketchy, I'll try to give you a better idea when I read the book.

Regards,

Bill

[BLUEHAWK]

Tamaroa -
I KNEW you'd know something about this, thanks.

The reason for bringing it up has to do with a conversation on another Forum where we began to discuss this sort of thing, in the context of wondering how a Buffalo Soldier might have felt going after Indians in the West. i.e. plausibly doing to them what had been done to themselves at the hands of others.

[Tamaroa]

In fact, that is the tact that the movie Buffalo soldiers takes. Glover's character witnesses the injustice done to the Indian and becomes somewhat sympathetic to them. Now how true that is, is another question.

Ask yourself something else. Of course its 20/20 hindsight but nevertheless, here goes! Why did the US enter a war that killed 625,000 people to free the slave then go out west and begin exterminating Indians? What made the Indian who was here before either the Whites or Blacks so much less than the Black man? Personally, I think it was simply economics. The Indian resided on lands that the white man wanted because of the minerals, precious metals and fertility of the Indian's land. Land was not an issue regarding the freeing of the Slaves.

Sometimes I wonder what our 19th century brethern were thinking. Morally speaking these positions regarding the two races makes no sense. That's what makes history interesting though, the search to find out why!

Bill

[BLUEHAWK]

Bill -
I know, just like you say, I've wondered deeply about those very same questions...

Years ago I came to the realization that economics, more so than land itself or even morality, too often guides government policies which are made real (and tragic, usually) by we who do not or cannot stop them.

[Tamaroa]

Hello Blue,

As promised, I went home and checked out the book about the Buffalo soldiers. Since I have not read it yet, I can?t heartily recommend it, however, here are the particulars:

Title: The Buffalo Soldiers, A Narrative of Negro Cavalry in the West
Author: William H. Leckie
University of Oklahoma Press
Published 1967

This is a narrative about the 9th and 10th Cavalry all Black soldiers. They campaigned in the Plains, West Texas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. They policed these areas for nearly 20 years, many of the troops in the regiment for 10 years or more.

I just bought it at Barnes and Noble. I?ll let you know how it turns out. Looks promising.

Regards,

Bill

[BLUEHAWK]

Thanks Bill, a lot.

There IS a certain question that rivers around in one's mind about the place and the role of Buffalo Soldiers... we've been having a rather similarly cast conversation on another forum vis a vis "Women in combat", where I've taken more or less the position that "segregated" units in a military context could, actually, have the highly desirable effect of building unit cohesion etc., therefore plausibly constitute an increased combat effectiveness. Boats and I have even begun waxing theoretical about trying certain all-female naval vessels.

I'll check back in to learn your learned opinion.

[BLUEHAWK]

Bill -

I'm sorry, I misspoke... it is Scamp and I who have started talking about all-female vessels, not that Boats might not have an opinion on the topic.

[usmcsgt65]

9th and 10th Cavalry, and the 23rd and 24th Infantry are collectively the Buffalo Soldiers. So you have 4 regiments of black troops, just figure out how many enlisted people were in a regiment from 1865 to 1900, and you have your answer. The 10th Cavalry (dismounted) and the 24th Infantry fought next to Roosevelt and the Rough Riders in Cuba (Spanish-American War), and it was the 10th Cavalry who were the first troops to reach the Little Big Horn on June 26th.

[BLUEHAWK]

Thanks Sarge,

I think Bill will know the exact answer to that, and I appreciate the help.

[coachman]

Who are the Buffalo Soldiers?
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.

Once the Westward movement had begun, prominent among those blazing treacherous trails of the Wild West were the Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Army. These African-Americans were charged with and responsible for escorting settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews. The 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments also conducted campaigns against American Indian tribes on a western frontier that extended from Montana in the Northwest to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in the Southwest. Throughout the era of the Indian Wars, approximately twenty percent of the U.S. Cavalry troopers were Black, and they fought over 177 engagements. The combat prowess, bravery, tenaciousness, and looks on the battlefield, inspired the Indians to call them "Buffalo Soldiers." Many Indians believe the name symbolized the Native American's respect for the Buffalo Soldiers' bravery and valor. Buffalo Soldiers, down through the years, have worn the name with pride.

Buffalo Soldiers participated in many other military campaigns: The Spanish American War, The Phillippine Insurrection, The Mexican Expedition, World War I, World War II, and the Korean Police Action.

Much have changed since the days of the Buffalo Soldiers, including the integration of all military servicement and women. However, the story of the Buffalo Soldiers remain one of unsurprassed courage and patriotism, and will be forever a significant part of the history of America.

African-Americans have fought with distinction in all of this country's military engagements. However, some of their most notable contributions and sacrifices came during the Civil War. During that conflict, more than 180,000 African-Americans wore the Union Army blue. Another 30,000 served in the Navy, and 200,000 served as workers on labor, engineering, hospital and other military support projects. More than 33,000 of these gallant soldiers gave their lives for the sake of freedom and their country.

Shortly after the Civil War, Congress authorized the formation of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry Regiments: Six all Black peacetime units. Later the four infantry regiments were merged into the 24th and 25th Infantries.

In countless skirmishes and firefights, the troopers won the respect of the Plains warriors who named "Buffalo Soldiers." African-Americans accepted the badge of honor and wore it proudly.

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.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/coachman/misc%20photos/houston.jpg

[Zinzendorf]

Originally posted by Tamaroa In fact, that is the tact that the movie Buffalo soldiers takes. Glover's character witnesses the injustice done to the Indian and becomes somewhat sympathetic to them. Now how true that is, is another question.

Ask yourself something else. Of course its 20/20 hindsight but nevertheless, here goes! Why did the US enter a war that killed 625,000 people to free the slave then go out west and begin exterminating Indians? What made the Indian who was here before either the Whites or Blacks so much less than the Black man? Personally, I think it was simply economics. The Indian resided on lands that the white man wanted because of the minerals, precious metals and fertility of the Indian's land. Land was not an issue regarding the freeing of the Slaves.

Sometimes I wonder what our 19th century brethern were thinking. Morally speaking these positions regarding the two races makes no sense. That's what makes history interesting though, the search to find out why!

Bill
A couple of thoughts on this...the US fought "the Late Unpleasantness" primarily to preserve the Union & only to "free the slaves" as somewhat of an afterthought. Don't even get me started about the Emancipation Proclamation!

Now, about the extirmination of the Indians, this was being done by White settlers at least as far back as the French & Indian War (c. 1760). The Civil War just slowed it down for 4 years. The English/American pioneers mostly hated the Indians, believing all the tales of the atrocities commited by these "savages," while ignoring all the atrocities committed by the settlers and the army. What's that old saw about God being on the side of largest battalions?

[Jerry D]

:ae: Zinzendorf, Good quotes their you made :ae: And just a Log on the fire about ole Abe's "EP" He didn't care for the black man during his days as President and only made the Emancipation Proclamation to keep the European Countries from helping the Southerns fight the Union. Abe's use of the "EP" was the first use of the RACE CARD for politicos as far as I know.

BTW on the subject of Buffalo Soldiers, Before the War for Southern Independence the Blacks were welcomed as fellow oppressed people by the Seminoles and Cherokee and taken in as Tribe members. After the War though "thru the treatment the Indians received from liquored up Buffalo Soldiers" many a Black family were thrown out of the Tribes they had been adopted into because they felt the loss of a common bond because of the way the freed Blacks now treated the Indians.It always amazes me the way an oppressed people will when put into a position to oppress others will quickly take up the mantel and become the oppressor.