The Buffalo Soldiers.

The Buffalo Soldiers

After the long and bloody civil war, a group of African-Americans emerged, some former slaves, some not. This group went by the name of the buffalo soldiers. Have you ever heard of these so called Buffalo Soldiers? A name given by the Native Americans? You might think that Buffalo Soldiers might have hunted buffalo. Though you are far from right, Buffalo Soldiers were a group of African-American soldiers who were stationed in Kansas at Fort Leavenworth. The group was active from 1866-1951. The group served in over 6 wars and they did a lot in that time.They served in the Indian War, to the Spanish American wars, and even to become park rangers.

The Indian Wars

Being the first war that the Buffalo Soldiers actually fought in, they participated in almost every single campaign,and 19 soldiers won the Medal of Honor. Not all of the men were soldiers either. Some of them doctors and couriers working for U.S Mail service. During these wars, both cavalry groups, the 9th and 10th, were moved to Fort Concho, instead of being at Fort Leavenworth.

The Johnson County War

In 1892, the Buffalo Soldiers were ordered by President Benjamin Harrison to help quell the violence in Johnson County,Kansas. This “war” is not very well known, as it was just a fight between land owners which got violent when the the landowners hired mercenaries and started a shootout. The 6th cavalry was originally supposed to go but was replaced by the 9th cavalry due to 6th cavalry having other business to attend to. The cavalry arrived there in two weeks and moved all the men to the rail town of Suggs, Wyoming where they started creating “Camp Bettens”. One man was killed and two other soldiers were wounded. The 6th cavalry had to stay there for almost one year to quell the violence.

Spanish-American Wars And The Remaining Time

During these two wars they were the only African-American soldiers to be in battle. During these Spanish-American war, over 5,000 of them fought against enemy forces and some volunteer regiments were created by the Buffalo Soldiers to help recruit African American Soldiers. They also participated in the Philippine War, World War One, World War Two, and multiple other encounters. Also, most of the group went on to become park rangers and they hats that park rangers wear are based off the Buffalo Soldiers hats that they used in battle.

While maybe not the first the first African-American military group,They were easily one of the most active and longest lasting solely African American group. From the fighting in the Indian Wars to helping out in WW2, the Buffalo Soldiers did a lot. Also, It should be remembered that Buffalo Soldiers did not hunt buffalo and they are not buffalos with rifles.

Cites

Davis, Standford. "BUFFALO SOLDIERS & INDIAN WARS." BUFFALO SOLDIERS & INDIAN WARS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.

United States. National Park Service. "Buffalo Soldiers." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 23 Feb. 2016. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.