The Beginning African Americans have served proudly in every great American war. In 1866, through an act of Congress, legislation was adopted to create six all African American Army units. The units were identified as the 9th and 10th cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry regiments. The four infantry regiments were later reorganized to form the 24th and 25th infantry regiments. These fighting men represented the first Black professional soldiers in a peacetime army. The recruits came from varied backgrounds including former slaves and veterans from service in the Civil War. The Nickname The nickname buffalo soldiers began with the Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The actual Cheyenne translation was Wild Buffalo. The nickname was given out of respect and the fierce fighting ability of the 10th cavalry. Overtime, Buffalo Soldiers became a generic term for all African American soldiers. |
9th Cavalry
How They Got Their Name
Stories relating to the origin of the legendary name “Buffalo Soldiers” are as varied as
there are people to tell them. Presented here are a few of the most accepted ideas
regarding the name. Some attribute it to the Indians likening the short curly hair of the
black troopers to that of the buffalo. Another possibility for the nickname was the
heavy buffalo robes the soldiers wore on winter campaigns. Others say that when the
American bison was wounded or cornered, it fought ferociously, displaying uncommon
stamina and courage, identical to the black man in battle.
Motto: "WE CAN: WE WILL"
Their adversary, whether Indians, outlaws, Mexican revolutionaries, or gun smugglers,
found that the Buffalo Soldiers, like their namesake, could not easily be diverted from
their trail. Whatever the reason for the name, the Buffalo Soldier has come down in
American military history as one of the proudest individuals of all.
How They Dressed
During the 1870-1880’s, the Buffalo Soldier wore a flannel shirt, and a blouse of dark
blue with light blue trousers tucked into over-the-knee boots. Also, civil war kepi (hat)
adorned with crossed sabers bearing regimental and troop designation. He was
armed with a 45-70 Springfield carbine (rifle), a Colt Army .45, (1873 model) caliber
pistol and a saber. He was outfitted with a slouch ‘campaign’ hat, black at first and a
light grayish-brown by 1874. The Buffalo Soldiers were not issued a neckerchief but
generally wore one of his own color of choice anyway. Sometimes yellow more often
red or white. These were real necessities, especially for the men riding further back in
the column needing protection from the thick clouds of dust kicked up by the front
ranks.
10th Cavalry
Cavalry History
The 10th Cavalry Regiment is one of the unique regiments in U.S. Military history.
Moving west from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, within a year after its activation in 1866,
the 10th began its march into immortality. The spring of 1877 marked the beginning of
more than two decades of continuous service. Locations like the Great Plains and in
the mountains and deserts of New Mexico and Arizona. The challenge was a
formidable one. Ten years of near constant campaigning were required before
conflicts with numerous Indian nations subsided. Five years would pass before there
was peace along the tormented Rio Grande frontier where bands of Indians, outlaws,
Mexican bandits and revolutionaries roamed, raided, stole and murdered under
conditions nearing total chaos.
Motto: "READY AND FORWARD"
The regiment distinguished itself in Cuba at Santiago and Las Guasimas, and in the
famous charge up San Juan Hill. What most people do not know is that the brunt of
the fighting was borne by the soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments. One
eyewitness has written: “If it had not been for the Negro Cavalry, the Rough Riders
would have been exterminated. The 10th Cavalry fought for 48 hours under fire from
Spaniards who were in brick forts on the hill.
How They Got Their Name
Stories relating to the origin of the legendary name “Buffalo Soldiers” are as varied as
there are people to tell them. Presented here are a few of the most accepted ideas
regarding the name. Some attribute it to the Indians likening the short curly hair of the
black troopers to that of the buffalo. Another possibility for the nickname was the
heavy buffalo robes the soldiers wore on winter campaigns. Others say that when the
American bison was wounded or cornered, it fought ferociously, displaying uncommon
stamina and courage, identical to the black man in battle.
Motto: "WE CAN: WE WILL"
Their adversary, whether Indians, outlaws, Mexican revolutionaries, or gun smugglers,
found that the Buffalo Soldiers, like their namesake, could not easily be diverted from
their trail. Whatever the reason for the name, the Buffalo Soldier has come down in
American military history as one of the proudest individuals of all.
How They Dressed
During the 1870-1880’s, the Buffalo Soldier wore a flannel shirt, and a blouse of dark
blue with light blue trousers tucked into over-the-knee boots. Also, civil war kepi (hat)
adorned with crossed sabers bearing regimental and troop designation. He was
armed with a 45-70 Springfield carbine (rifle), a Colt Army .45, (1873 model) caliber
pistol and a saber. He was outfitted with a slouch ‘campaign’ hat, black at first and a
light grayish-brown by 1874. The Buffalo Soldiers were not issued a neckerchief but
generally wore one of his own color of choice anyway. Sometimes yellow more often
red or white. These were real necessities, especially for the men riding further back in
the column needing protection from the thick clouds of dust kicked up by the front
ranks.
10th Cavalry
Cavalry History
The 10th Cavalry Regiment is one of the unique regiments in U.S. Military history.
Moving west from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, within a year after its activation in 1866,
the 10th began its march into immortality. The spring of 1877 marked the beginning of
more than two decades of continuous service. Locations like the Great Plains and in
the mountains and deserts of New Mexico and Arizona. The challenge was a
formidable one. Ten years of near constant campaigning were required before
conflicts with numerous Indian nations subsided. Five years would pass before there
was peace along the tormented Rio Grande frontier where bands of Indians, outlaws,
Mexican bandits and revolutionaries roamed, raided, stole and murdered under
conditions nearing total chaos.
Motto: "READY AND FORWARD"
The regiment distinguished itself in Cuba at Santiago and Las Guasimas, and in the
famous charge up San Juan Hill. What most people do not know is that the brunt of
the fighting was borne by the soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments. One
eyewitness has written: “If it had not been for the Negro Cavalry, the Rough Riders
would have been exterminated. The 10th Cavalry fought for 48 hours under fire from
Spaniards who were in brick forts on the hill.
Cathay Williams, Female Buffalo Soldier
When Cathay Williams enlisted in the army, women were not allowed to serve as
soldiers. So, Williams posed as a man and joined Thirty-Eighth Infantry. As a result, she
became the first and the only known female Buffalo Soldier.
Williams was born into slavery in Independence, Missouri in 1842. She worked as a
house slave for William Johnson, a wealthy planter in Jefferson City, Missouri. She
worked for him until his death. About the same time, the Civil War broke out and she was
freed by Union soldiers.
Thereafter, she worked for the Army as a paid servant. While serving the soldiers, she
experienced military life first hand. She served Colonel Benton while he was in Little
Rock, Arkansas. She also served General Sheridan and his staff. She was recruited to
Washington to serve as a cook and laundress for them. While traveling with them, she
witnessed the Shenandoah Valley raids in Virginia. After leaving Virginia, she traveled to
Iowa and then went to St. Louis. Throughout her time working for the Army, she also had
the opportunity to travel to New Orleans, Savannah, and Macon.
After the war, Williams wanted to be financially independent so she joined the army. In
November of 1866, she enlisted as William Cathay in the Thirty-Eighth United States
Infantry, Company A. She was able to do so because a medical examination was not
required. Only her cousin and a friend were aware of her real identity.
Company A, arrived at Fort Cummings in New Mexico on October 1, 1867. At the fort,
Williams and her company protected miners and traveling immigrants from Apache
attack. While serving, there was insubordination among some of the troops, but Williams
was not involved in the incidents.
In 1868, Williams grew tired of military life so she feigned illness. She was examined by
the post surgeon who then discovered that she was a woman. She was discharged
October 14, 1868.
When Cathay Williams enlisted in the army, women were not allowed to serve as
soldiers. So, Williams posed as a man and joined Thirty-Eighth Infantry. As a result, she
became the first and the only known female Buffalo Soldier.
Williams was born into slavery in Independence, Missouri in 1842. She worked as a
house slave for William Johnson, a wealthy planter in Jefferson City, Missouri. She
worked for him until his death. About the same time, the Civil War broke out and she was
freed by Union soldiers.
Thereafter, she worked for the Army as a paid servant. While serving the soldiers, she
experienced military life first hand. She served Colonel Benton while he was in Little
Rock, Arkansas. She also served General Sheridan and his staff. She was recruited to
Washington to serve as a cook and laundress for them. While traveling with them, she
witnessed the Shenandoah Valley raids in Virginia. After leaving Virginia, she traveled to
Iowa and then went to St. Louis. Throughout her time working for the Army, she also had
the opportunity to travel to New Orleans, Savannah, and Macon.
After the war, Williams wanted to be financially independent so she joined the army. In
November of 1866, she enlisted as William Cathay in the Thirty-Eighth United States
Infantry, Company A. She was able to do so because a medical examination was not
required. Only her cousin and a friend were aware of her real identity.
Company A, arrived at Fort Cummings in New Mexico on October 1, 1867. At the fort,
Williams and her company protected miners and traveling immigrants from Apache
attack. While serving, there was insubordination among some of the troops, but Williams
was not involved in the incidents.
In 1868, Williams grew tired of military life so she feigned illness. She was examined by
the post surgeon who then discovered that she was a woman. She was discharged
October 14, 1868.
