BHS Day 9: Buffalo Soldiers

Hi! For our second MTS Spotlight of the month, I wanted to focus on the Military portion and talk about a now-iconic group of men who bravely served our country at a time when Blacks couldn't even vote. It seems our government felt it was okay to own, rape, beat, degrade, separate and murder us and send us out to fight for land we still weren't even allowed to purchase, but we were simultaneously somehow not worth an entire vote either. LOL I can feel the rant building up in me again so let me just stop here. Let's get to today's entrant. 

Name: Buffalo Soldiers

Date of establishment and founders: In 1866, after Congress passed the Army Organization Act, they formed the cavalry regiments that would later become the Buffalo Soldiers 

Purpose of organization: To protect settlers as they moved west, capture cattle rustlers, handle poachers and control or fight the Native Americans on the frontier, the latter of which is what they became known for

Why is the Spotlight on it today? For their accomplishments during the Indian Wars, their perseverance and dedication to serving our country

Notables and accolades:
--were the first all-Black military regiments
--fought in both a Mexican campaign and the Spanish-American War
--fought constant racism and sabotage from White soldiers in other units so that they'd be less equipped to do their jobs, yet they still did them
--were only allowed to serve west of the Mississippi River because many generals and commanders refused to command the units following the Civil War
--had the lowest rate of soldiers who were court-martialed or went AWOL
--also served as park rangers when they weren't fighting, which was usually during the summer, and dealt with both poachers and wildfires on their off-season
--had multiple officers awarded with the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery
--were known for their bravery and discipline; the nickname is a symbol of respect and honor
--fought in the Indian Wars, rescued a high-ranking officer and his unit after they were ambushed, and were later thanked personally for their efforts
--were commanded to provide medical assistance to their White counterparts when illnesses struck the camp
--participated in nearly or just over 200 conflicts total
--fought in WWI before being deactivated as segregation in the military had ended
--are said to have gotten their name from one of three possible origin stories: 1-the curly texture of their hair reminded the Native Americans of buffalo; 2-the soldiers fought so bravely against them that the Native Americans gave them the name Buffalo Soldiers as a sign of respect; or 3-the coats that the soldiers fought in were made of buffalo hide and gave them a distinctive look
--fought in the Battle of San Juan Hill, the Battle of El Caney, the Battle of Las Guasimas 

Further reading links: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Quotes of the Day:
"If the government wants our support and services, let us demand and get a guarantee for our safety and protection at home...When we are guaranteed freedom and equality before the law, as other American citizens, then we will have the right, as such, to take up arms in defense of our country." 
--The Indianapolis Freeman, 1898 "...no one can tell whether it was the Rough Riders or the men of the 9th who came forward with the greater courage to offer their lives in the service of their country.....but Negro troops were shirkers in their duties and would only go as far as they were led by white officers." --Theodore Roosevelt "There is no American citizen upon this continent who possesses more patriotism than we do. But if we had the power we would not permit one Negro battalion or company or regiment to assist in helping to fight against Spain unless they are officered from top to bottom by members of our own race." --The Army, to the Salt Lake City Broad Ax in 1898