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URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH1993Caleb_Benson.pdf Date: 1/26/2011 Article Summary: Caleb Benson, an African American soldier chose to make a permanent career in the Army after the Civil War, serving in the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Units. This is his story. Cataloging Information: Names: Caleb Benson, Jacob Benson, Nathan C Meeker, Thomas Thornburgh, Captain Dodge, Wesley Merritt, Geronimo, S L Woodward, Robert Smither, J K Mizner, Leonard Wood, Robert D Read, Percilla Smith, Henry Whitehead, Jimmie Benson, Levi Robinson, Edwin N Hardy, W C Beckett, C H Bash, James A Cook, James Beecher, Reverend Myers, Whirlwind, George Stouch, Crazy Horse Place Names: Fort Clark, Texas; Fort Stanton, New Mexico; Fort McKinley, Philippines; Presidio, California; Whipple Barracks, Arizona; Fort Apache, Arizona; San Carlos, Arizona; Fort Thomas, Arizona; Fort Union, New Mexico; Ojo Caliente, New Mexico; Fort Brown, Texas; Fort Custer, Wyoming; Fort Robinson, Nebraska; Milk Creek, Colorado; Fort Lewis, Colorado; Columbia, South Carolina; Chickamauga Park, Georgia; Huntsville, Alabama; Lakeland, Florida; Porto Padre, Cuba; Holguin, Cuba; Fort Assinniboine, Montana; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Rio la Plata; Middle Park; Fort Fred Steele, Wyoming Territory; Fort Custer, Montana; Fort Buford, North Dakota; Montauk Point, Long Island; Monzanillo, Cuba; Crawford, Nebraska; Glen, Nebraska; Fort McPherson National Cemetery Keywords: Ninth Cavalry, Tenth Cavalry, Buffalo Soldiers, Company D, Ute, White River Agency, Milk Creek siege, Chiricahua, water hole campaign, Troop B, Troop K, Pullman strike, Montana Coxeyites, Tongue River Reservation, Cree, Cuba invasion, Fifth Corps, Springfield rifle, machine gun platoons, Thomas [transport vessel], Special Order Number 215, Army of Cuban Occupation Medal, Spanish War Service Medal, United Spanish War Veterans, Indian Wars Medal, Army Philippine Campaign Medal, Thirty-second Convention badge, Army and Navy Union membership badge, United Indian War Veterans membership badge, First Annual Convention, United Indian War Veterans Badge [1929] Photographs / Images: Map by Del Darling, Caleb Benson’s military career; Caleb Benson in later years; Caleb Benson’s Medal Chest; Troop K Tenth Cavalry ONE SOLDIER'S SERVICE: CAlEB BENSON IN THE NINTH AND TENTH CAVALRY, 1875-1908 By Thomas R. Buecker In 1866 African ~ericans were ary, he was born on June 25,1861, but most ofthe post-Civil War years. allowed for the first time to serve in the other dates in June 1860 or 1861 ap­ Enlistment records provide a de­ regular United States military estab­ pear in his record.2 His birthplace is scription of the new recruit. He was lishment. Six new regiments, includ­ listed as Aiken, South Carolina, on his five feet,fourinches tall, ofslight build, ing the Ninth and Tenth u.s. Cavalry, first army enlistment application, but weighing about 135 pounds. He listed were organized. The new units were to he recorded Jacksonville, Florida, on his previous occupation as a waiter. be composed solely of black enlisted subsequent forms. His father's name Caleb Benson's long careerin the mili­ men, and so, in the post-Civil War was Jacob; his mother's name is un­ tary had begun.4 years, recently freed slaves and other known. Therewere also several sisters Benson was assigned to the Ninth young blacks enlisted in the two cav­ in the family. Cavalry, which was then stationed at alry regiments, which soon took on When Benson was six years old, the posts in Texas. On May 6 he joined their famous nickname, the "Buffalo family moved to Charleston, South Company D, commanded by Francis S. Soldiers. "1 Carolina. After both parents died, the Dodge, at Fort Clark as part of a draft After being organized, both cavalry teenaged Benson followed the example ofnineteen recruits.6 The regiment re­ regiments were sent to western duty, of many young men at the time and ceived eighty-six new recruits that as the Plains Indian wars riveted the decided to enlist in the United States month. In Texas the Ninth Cavalry nation's attention for the next quarter Army. On February 2,1875, at Colum­ protected stage and mail lines from century. Although the duty was hard, bia, South Carolina, he filled out en­ marauding Indians and helped estab­ many soldiers chose to make a perma­ listment papers before 1st Lt. William lish law and order. Shortly after his nent career in the army. Many began H. Beck, Tenth Cavalry.3 arrival Benson got a taste of army life their service in southwestern deserts, At this time twenty-one was the on the frontier. On June 8 his company then later saw duty on the northern legal age for enlistment. In the case of wentinto the field on a scouting patrol, Plains. The close of the century saw minors, a parent or someone respon­ which lasted until June 26. While on the western frontierarmytransformed sible filled out the "consent in case of scout the company covered 357 miles.6 to one of empire, with overseas duties minor" portion ofthe application. With During the winter of 1875-76 the in the Caribbean and the Philippines. both parents deceased, this part of Ninth Cavalry was ordered to the Dis­ In later years some soldiers returned Benson's paperwas notused. When he trict of New Mexico. On February 26, to the Plains states to homestead or to signed up, declaring that "I am 21 1876, the men ofCompany D left Fort retire. One such professional soldier years and 7 months ofage, and know of Clark en route to Santa Fe. They ar­ was Caleb Benson, who followed this no impediment to my serving honestly rived on April 30 and were immedi­ full route between the Civil War and and faithfully as a soldier," he was ately assigned to Fort Union, arriving World War I. actually only fourteen or fifteen years at that post May 5.7 In July Benson's Information on Caleb Benson's early old. At the time recruit quotas had to company was sent north into Colo­ life is sketchy. According to his obitu- be filled, and recruiting officers were rado; however, Caleb was at that time not overly inquisitive. Caleb signed held in confinement and remained be­ the papers before a witness with an hind. He remained at Fort Union on Thomas R. Buecker is curator of the "X," unable to write his name until detached duty for a year while Com­ Nebraska State Historical Society's Fort years later. He enlisted for five years, pany D was in Colorado and later at Robinson Museum. the standard cavalry term throughout Fort Wallace, Kansas. In July he re­ 54 Caleb Benson Philippines Ft. McKinley 1907-08 Caleb Benson's military career. the Indians and settlers in that re­ the Utes, and on September 29 Map by Dell Darling. gion:t10 Company D spent the summer Thornburghts column of 175 soldiers and late fall of 1879 on field service was attacked at Milk Creek, fifteen there. In early October Private Benson miles north of the agency. Major joined his company, which was de­ was involved inone ofthe majorbattles Thornburgh was shot and instantly tached to Ojo Caliente, scouting and ofthe West. killed, and the supply wagons were guarding the Apache reservation During the preceding months the quickly corralled. The command was there.s Uteshadgrown increasingly angry over surrounded and suffered heavy casu­ In March 1878 Bensonts company agent Nathan C. Meekerts attempts to alties. However, during the night cou­ was ordered back to Colorado, scout­ force their instant acculturation. Soon riers slipped away for help.ll ingthrough the Rio La Plataregion. In it was reported that the Utes were On October 1 the couriers reached Septembertheyescortedtheboundary unsettled andwere startingforest fires Captain Dodgets company. Dodge is­ survey between Colorado and Utah. in central Colorado. In September sued 250 rounds of ammunition and Company D then spent the winter of Meeker, fearing for the lives ofagency three days rations to his thirty-five 1878-79 building quarters at the new employees, called for military protec­ men and made a forced march on Milk post ofFort Lewis at Pagosa Springs.9 tion. Troops under Maj. Thomas Creek. About 4:30 A.M. on October 2, Restlessness among western Utes Thornburgh were dispatched from Fort Company D reached the besieged com­ caused Company D to be sent into the Fred Steele, Wyoming Territory, and mand, where theirttarrival caused great Middle Park area of Colorado to pre­ headed south to the White River rejoicing by the entrenched men and vent tt any possible collision between Agency. The call for soldiers infuriated the newcomers were greeted with glad 55 Nebraska History - Summer 1993 12 hand." Almost immediately all of date for his discharge. 15 break,ratherthan chase the renegades Company D's horses were shot by the After five years as a civilian, during back onto their reservations. Their's Utes. Most of Thornburgh's animals which he may have worked as a cook or was the dismal duty to guard moun­ met the same fate.