HomeText Box: 1866 was a watershed for African-American participation in the military.  An act of Congress authorized the formation of six Black regiments, two cavalry (9th & 10th) and four infantry (38th, 39th, 40th, & 41st).  The infantry regiments were later consolidated and redesignated as the 24th & 25th Infantries.  These soldiers became known as the BUFFALO SOLDIERS.

Text Box: Buffalo Soldiers    

   History

Text Box: Over several decades, BUFFALO SOLDIERS served in forts throughout the United States, including Arizona, California, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.  They endured bitter hardships and often received inferior food, equipment and horses.  However, they received the highest number (18) of Congressional Medals of Honor and had the lowest desertion rate of any Army regiment from 1867 to 1898.  In addition to engaging in several skirmishes with Native Americans, they confronted outlaws, desperadoes, protected stage and railway lines, guarded frontiersmen against bandits and cattle rustlers.  They rescued Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War.   Membership

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  ContactText Box: Maj. Snyder, Orderly 10th Cav. 1919-1920, AHS #52556

  LinksText Box: Native Americans bestowed the name BUFFALO SOLDIERS upon the Black soldiers.  Although, the reason for the name is uncertain, one theory suggests that the buffalo represented strength and courage, the same spirit they saw in Black soldiers.  Another theory implies that Native Americans thought that Black man’s hair resembled the mane of the buffalo.  Black soldiers accepted the name BUFFALO SOLDIERS as a badge of honor and the buffalo was made a part of the 10th Cavalry’s regimental crest.

 

 

 

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