Who Are The Buffalo Soldiers?
Shortly after the Civil War, Congress authorized the formation of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st Infantry regimen black peacetime units.The four infantry regiments were merged into the 24th and 25th infantries. 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. African Americans have fought in military conflicts since colonial days. The Buffalo Soldiers comprised of former slaves, free men and black civil war soldiers, they 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. TheAmericans were responsible for escorting settlers, cattle herds and railroad crews. The 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments also conducted campaigns against American Indians 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. Calvary Troopers were Black and fought over 177 engagements. The combat prowess, bravery, tenaciousness and looks on the battlefield inspired the Cheyenne Indian Warriors in 1867, the actual Cheyenne translation was"Wild Buffalo", the name symbolized the Native American's respect for the Buffalo Soldiers fierce fighting ability, bravery and valor, the name, "Buffalo Soldiers" became the term for all African American Soldiers.
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 Philippine Insurrection, The mexican Expedition, World War I, World War II, and the Korean Police Action. African Americans have fought with distinction in all of this country's military engagements. More than 180,000 African Americans wore the Union Army blue. 30,000 served served in the Navy, and 200,000 served as workers on labor, engineering, hospital and other military support projects. 33,000 of these gallant soldiers gave their lives for the sake of freedom and their country.
"WE CAN, WE WILL, READY AND FORWARD"
