The Buffalo Soldiers: A Narrative of the Negro Cavalry in the West

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True story of the perseverance, valor, and leadership of the US Army in the 19th century after the Civil War. In spite of inferior equipment, broken down horses, poor rations, and often "starting from scratch", the 9th and 10th Cavalry took form, took to the field and PERFORMED with distinction. Time, distance, and finding water and forrage for the horses were the biggest obstacles to be overcome. You will be most impressed with the character, and leadership of the officers who led the "Buffalo Soldiers". The mutual respect is very evident. The only prejudices were outside the Regiments. Their story is truly amazing and to be honored, and appreciated by EVERY American.

This is a great book to learn about African American soldiers and the role they have played in defending their countries throughout wars in 1865 to wars in modern times. They fought wars in America and in foreign countries and they faces discrimination throughout their service from others in the military and in civilian life. They deserve our thanks for their dedication to serving their country and preserving our freedom. I used it teach and present the history of the African Americans who served in the military

The Civil War was the first time Blacks were organized into Black-only combat brigades. They fought well, and in some cases, exceptionally well. But for the most part, except for the heroics of the 54th Massachusetts at battery Wagner outside Charleston and along the Mississippi Valley, especially at Fort Pillow, history little noted their service. After the success of the Civil War the experiment with all Black combat units was continued in the Frontier Army. Thanks to William Leckie the significant contributions of the 9th and 10th US Cavalry to the peaceful settlement of the Western frontier has not been consigned to history's dust bin but rather is captured here in an exceptional and quite frankly action packed work. Between them the 9th and 10th Cavalry earned an amazing 8 Congressional Medals of Honor.In 1866 green, untrained civilians were enlisted in these units, the 9th under Edward Hatch and the 10th under Benjamin Grierson, both outstanding Civil War Cavalry commanders. After rudimentary training the 9th was headquartered at Fort Davis and for the next 6 years patrolled west Texas and the Mexican Border. Their responsibilities were to maintain law and order in western and southwestern Texas, between the Rio Grande and Concho Rivers from Fort Clark to El Paso. The 9th remained in Texas for eight years. The regiment subsequently went to New Mexico, covering parts of New Mexico, Colorado and Texas, and participated in the Apache Wars from 1875 to 1881. Their patrolling was astonishing. Out for months at a time Leckie indicates marches of 1,000 miles were not uncommon. Fighting Mexican bandits, border raiders and numerous Indian tribes, they also engaged Mexican revolutionaries that had crossed to the US side to rest and refit. After 15 years of service, almost all of it continually in the field, the 9th Cavalry was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas in 1881.The author appears to have had much more information about the 10th Cavalry. The 10th initially was stationed at numerous forts throughout Kansas and Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). They provided guards for workers of the Kansas and Pacific Railroad, strung miles of new telegraph lines and to a large extent built Fort Sill in present day Oklahoma. A very good work about this period of the 10th's existence is Carbine and Lance by Wilbur Nye. They were constantly patrolling the Kiowa and Comanche reservations in an attempt to prevent Indian raids into Texas and Texan raids into the reservations. In 1867 and 1868, the 10th Cavalry participated in Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's winter campaigns against the Cheyenne, Arapahos, and Comanches. Units of the 10th prevented the Cheyenne from fleeing to the northwest, thus allowing Custer and the 7th Cavalry to defeat the Cheyenne at the Battle of the Washita.In 1875, the 10th Cavalry moved its headquarters to Fort Concho in west Texas, today's San Angelo, where they protected mail and travel routes, controlled Indian movements, provided protection from Mexican revolutionaries and outlaws, and gained significant knowledge of the territory. The 10th scouted 30,000 miles of uncharted terrain, opened more than 300 miles of new roads and laid over 200 miles of telegraph lines. They played an important role in the Apache Wars, preventing Victorio's return to the U.S. by taking control of vital desert water holes along the Indians' route. It was an amazing campaign. To execute this campaign, the 10th patrolled literally thousands of square miles from the Van Horn Mountains west to the Quitman Mountains and north to the Sierra Diablo and Delaware Mountains, engaging in major fights at Tinaja de las Palmas and Rattlesnake Springs. These actions forced Victorio to retreat into Mexico. Soon after re-crossing the border, Victorio and many of his warriors were killed by Mexico's military. After 20 years on the Southwestern Frontier the regiment was transferred to the Dakotas in time to assist in the final battles with the Sioux.These men were tough, no nonsense combat soldiers responsible for settling some of America's wildest frontiers. They fought Cheyenne, Comanche, Arapaho, Ute, Kiowa, Kickapoo and Apache Indians to a standstill. But these were not the only combatants they faced. Mexican bandits, revolutionaries, white outlaws, rustlers and, at times, the Texas Rangers all made for a hellish environment. Little wonder then that these men were extremely loyal to one another with one of the lowest desertion rates of any soldiers in this theater of operations. And as if all these contenders were not enough to cope with, they also periodically supported local law enforcement, effectively ending the infamous Lincoln County War in New Mexico.This is a most marvelous read about a group of Americans that played a most significant role in settling the American West. They were men who left their country in much better shape than they found it. They were most selfless.

I'm a history fanatic- all eras. I had the idea the Buffalo soldiers were involved in American Civil War battles. They did so much more and for a long period. At great cost, and really were not appreciated. I hope the men who ride in our parades And keep their own horses and wear the beautiful uniforms know the complete history.

For a scholarly work, it is unusually interesting and well-written. It offers not only historical events, but insight into attitudes and motivations of the day. It is a clear look at a little-known but essential aspect of American history.