MAGAZINE KANSAS! KANSAS! BUFFALO SOLDIERS 53 Formed 150 years ago at Fort Leavenworth and destined to fight for a nation that didn’t

want them, a group of soldiers left a legacy of courage, honor and contradictions 2016 FALL The Library of Congress of Library The

Story by Melinda Briscoe Timeline by Bianca Brown Illustrations by Ted. S. Komala PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF OF COURTESY PHOTOGRAPHS are part of America’s lexicon and collective that fights fiercely even when wounded or cornered—would Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Leavenworth were told they had to put The journals and letters of the Buffalo Soldiers indicate that Buffalo legend. Perhaps this is because of our love of seem apropos. Of course, another story that the Indians thought their housing in the lowest, swampiest areas. The result was some of them were aware of this tragedy. “Every individual who anything “Wild West.” Maybe, it is a little part hero the soldiers’ thick hair resembled the curly tuft of fur on the sickness and death for some soldiers. put on the uniform had his own story, but many realized they Soldiers worship. And of course, there’s that Bob Marley buffalos’ backs could be applicable as well. Either way, the Even with these conditions, the Buffalo Soldiers were were instruments of the government, helping to fight another song. But beyond the mystique, there are some core truths: Those animal would have been sacred to the Natives, and the soldiers given some of the most difficult tasks: to remove Native group of people and aiding their own oppressors in displacing a who were originally known as the Buffalo Soldiers were the first all- came to wear the nickname with pride. Americans in the Great Plains and Southwest and relocate people from their land,” says Johnson. black standing units of the United States military in 1866. One of the The Buffalo Soldiers rode out into a nation that was full them to “Indian territory,” which is now known as Oklahoma. groups, the 10th Cavalry, was formed and based here in Kansas, at of expansion and conflict. Excited to stake claim on their own It ended up being a three-decade-long campaign. They had Previous legacy Fort Leavenworth. According to historian Robert Morris, the Buffalo piece of land and make a fresh start, Euro-American settlers had been taught that Indians were “savages” who must be shown African-American men had faced dilemmas in serving in the Soldiers were recognized for their courage and discipline at a time begun to pour into the frontier. The government, battered and the “civilized” way of life. U.S. military even before the Buffalo Soldiers had come along. The when many white settlers on the frontier commonly thought black exhausted from five years of the Civil War, turned to formerly Denise Low, a former poet laureate of Kansas who is part first American to die in the Revolutionary War was a former slave soldiers were disease carriers, cowards and likely deserters. enslaved persons as a new way to fill the army’s ranks. For Lenape and Cherokee, notes that by riding out against the named Crispus Attucks. And in the Continental Army, 5,000 troops In fact, their courage may be why it is believed some their part, the African-American men who joined the ranks had Native peoples, the Buffalo Soldiers achieved an unfortunate were black while thousands others fought with the British, who in of the Native Americans they encountered gave the cavalry compelling reasons to enlist. parity with the whites who marginalized them. She writes that notable cases advanced and protected their status as free men. soldiers of the 10th, and their counterparts in the 9th, the unique “One of the things that attracted African-American men to by serving under the flag, the soldiers became “part of the forces Black soldiers participated in 39 major battles and 410 moniker. Comparing these soldiers to the buffalo—a creature join the army is that they were surrounded by people just like that sought to eradicate the Indigenous way of life.” lesser skirmishes during the Civil War. Fifteen states contributed

July 1867 1870–1889 1875 1877 1877–1878 1881 1886 1889 After more than two centuries of Twelve of 25 Black Seminole Soldiers of the 9th forcibly In what becomes Black Seminole Allen Allensworth Charles Young war between Native Americans black applicants scouts Sergeant relocate Apaches to the known as the scouts are begins his military becomes the Buffalo and Euro-American settlers, are admitted John Ward, Private most inhospitable part of the Colfax County evicted from service as a third graduate the United States government into the United Pompey Factor, and San Carlos reservation. This war and the Fort Clark and chaplain. A former from West Point. Soldiers creates the Indian Peace States Military Trumpeter Isaac Payne military action is in response Lincoln County refused the slave, he creates His career would Commission to force Native Academy. receive the Medal to Apache attacks on war, soldiers from land grants and educational span more than Timeline Americans onto reservations Despite being of Honor for saving settlements as the Apaches— the 9th are sent rations they had systems and 30 years, and he away from settlers, roads subjected to their unit commander, who never received food and in to evict white been promised standards that would become and railroads. The new black vehement racism, Lieutenant John L. resources that were promised and Hispanic in return for are used by the nation’s first regiments would become three black Bullis, in a battle with through treaties and were settlers from land their services to military personnel, black officer to some of the first soldiers to cadets graduate the Comanche near the near starving—fought for their claimed by a large the military and their families and reach the rank of enforce these policies. during this period. Pecos River. survival. company. government. civilians. full colonel. The Plains Wars Era The Border Wars Era July 28, 1866 1867–1891 1869 July 1870 1875 1877 1880 1887 1891 1894 After contentious During the Cheyenne The army is A group of Private Adam Henry O. Flipper becomes the first black Johnson Chestnut Whittaker, John Hanks Black chaplain The 24th debates, Congress War, the name “Buffalo reorganized and Mascogos Payne of the soldier to graduate from the United States a black cadet at the United Alexander becomes Theophilus G. is brought passes the Army Soldiers” is given to consolidates (or Black is Military Academy. He begins his career with States Military Academy, is the second black Steward joins the in to break Reorganization Bill, the 10th cavalry. It the black Seminoles) awarded the Medal the 10th and would serve until 1881, when discovered “beaten, bloodied, officer to graduate 25th infantry. He the Pullman which creates six is unknown who first infantries. enlists as of Honor for holding he was court-martialed under questionable and tied to his bunk.” An from the USMA. would accompany Railways black regiments. Two used the term and why The 38th and scouts at Fort off Kiowa attackers circumstances as part of an embezzlement inquiry concludes that he did He would serve the regiment to Strike in of these, the 9th and it was initially applied 41st become Duncan in and allowing his hearing. The US Army reviewed this case in these things to himself, for with the 9th and the Philippines Los Angeles.

MAGAZINE 10th, are cavalry units. to the troops, though the 24th; the Texas. They accompanying 1976, clearing Flipper’s name and providing him which Whittaker would be became the first and help the MAGAZINE The other four, the the term eventually 39th and 40th serve there and scouts to find safety an honorable discharge. President Bill Clinton court-martialed and expelled black officer to hold military establish 38th, 39th, 40th and was applied to all black become the at Fort Clark, during the Red River signed a formal pardon in 1999, vindicating in 1881. The court-martial was a regular command schools for KANSAS! KANSAS! 41th, are infantry. regiments. 25th. Texas. War. Flipper’s short but distinguished career. overturned in 1883. position. Filipino children. KANSAS! 54 55

themselves,” explains Shelton Johnson, who has done extensive was at the end of slavery, so where else would they go and what volunteers to the United States Colored Troops (USCT), the In that sense, says Johnson, the story of the Buffalo Soldiers

FALL 2016 FALL research about Buffalo Soldiers as a park ranger with the else were they going to do? For many black men, it was a better official designation given to nearly all black formations in 1864. was the story of all African-American men who fought for the 2016 FALL Division of Interpretation and Education at Yosemite National option than sharecropping.” The 1st Kansas Colored Infantry and the 1st South Carolina United States. “They were fighting the same battles over and over Park. “Moving from the South saved many black people’s lives Regiment were the first two black formations to be recruited again, fighting on two fronts: the enemies of the United States and back then. Some saw joining the army as a way to escape the Glory and reality and sent into combat. the internalized racism that existed in the United States itself.” oppression of civilian society. The original Buffalo Soldiers were Once they became soldiers, the men quickly realized Two Civil War heroes, Edward Hatch and Benjamin men who literally could not be men in the South without being the honor and glory would have to come after other things. Grierson—both white—were the first colonels assigned to the Riding out dead men. These men joined the army for a sanctuary. They Historian and filmmaker Kevin Willmott explains, “The Buffalo 9th and 10th cavalries. “Hatch and Grierson were considered Upon formation, the 9th Cavalry was assigned to the Texas would not have lasted long in the South immediately after the Soldiers were given the worst duties—things the white soldiers quite progressive back in that day, to head colored units,” area and fought in many campaigns of the “Indian Wars,” Civil War. They would have been lynched.” didn’t want to do like digging ditches, latrines and graves. And explains Johnson. “George Armstrong Custer was one of the first including tracking down and capturing famous Apache military Barrie Thompkins, a reenactor and member it wasn’t without harassment from white soldiers and settlers. people offered those units and he turned it down. He thought leaders like Geronimo and Victorio, a master strategist. The of the Nicodemus Buffalo Soldiers Association, Kent Cavalry That was an ongoing obstacle.” The Buffalo Soldiers were given being in charge of units of black soldiers would be bad for his highly trained and experienced U.S. Army embarked on a Company F, believes the men’s reasons were probably pretty hand-me-down everything. From uniforms, to weapons and career.” Thompkins adds, “Custer said he did not ‘want anything year-long chase to find Victorio and his people. And just when practical. “Joining the army gave them a purpose,” he says. “This tools, even to horses. According to historian Tracy Barnett, the to do with those brunettes.’” they thought they had him, he would trick them and effectively elude them. The Buffalo Soldiers were able to finally track him about as they pleased. In the tropical Cuban climate they were parks started because once those areas were designated as Historic Site in Alaska, the Haleakal National Park and Hawaii down. And once they did, “the Buffalo Soldiers and Victorio’s not given lightweight uniforms to wear. Instead, they were national parks, the people who at one time chopped down Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii and Glacier National Park in troops fought for so long, for over 14 days nonstop,” explains expected to continue donning their heavy woolen uniforms. trees to build their houses and killed deer to feed their families Montana. In a sense, any visitor to these locations owes a debt Thompkins. “They literally had to decide to take a time out At the time, future president Theodore Roosevelt was second in had to be removed,” explains Johnson. “The army was already of gratitude to the Buffalo Soldiers. because both sides were exhausted.” command of the armed forces in Cuba. The famous “Rough Riders” set up to enforce law and order in the Wild West. The military “The way I see it is when someone does a good job, he headed were in quite a jam when they lost their weapons and brought a sense of safety and security to the newly formed they deserve to hear a thank you,” continues Johnson. “Part Beyond the Plains found themselves surrounded by heavily armed Spanish fighters. National Parks. In 1903 the Buffalo Soldiers built the first trails of my job as a ranger and educator is to make sure that their After the frontier battles, the Buffalo Soldiers were sent to “When the movies have depicted that battle, you rarely if on top of Mt. Whitney, which at that time was the highest peak contributions are not forgotten.” various places, for a variety of campaigns—both major and minor. ever see portrayals of the Buffalo Soldiers. When, in fact, they in America. They also built the first usable wagon road through The 9th and 10th cavalries were sent to Cuba in 1898 saved the day,” says Johnson. Giant Forest in the Sequoia National Park, and in 1904 they Legacy to fight in the Spanish-American War. And even there, they Willmott elaborates, “Roosevelt admitted that the Buffalo created a nature trail in Yosemite, which is considered the first After President Truman desegregated the U.S. military in continued to face prejudice. Signs in certain businesses told Soldiers saved his troops and helped win that battle. He made in the National Park system.” 1948, the Buffalo Soldiers’ days were numbered, and the all- the black soldiers to stay away. They were instructed by their the famous statement of ‘they can drink from our canteens’, Johnson notes the soldiers would go on to serve at black units were disbanded between 1951 and 1953. However, superiors to stay on the docked ship they arrived on while their which at that time really meant something.” locations that were or would become national parks and sites their legacy endures. white counterparts were allowed to leave the boat and travel Five black cavalrymen won the Congressional Medal of across the United States: the Klondike Gold Rush National Barrie Thompkins wants people to know the soldiers

Summer March 1918 1937 1940 December 1943 1944 October 2000 Henry Johnson, Europe descends The army The all-black 555th Fighting along the Junction City dedicates 1903 1916 October private in the into war and expands the Parachute Infantry Italian front, Buffalo a memorial to the Buffalo Charles Young The 10th 369th Infantry black civilians scope of all-black June 1941 Battalion is formed. Soldiers of the 92nd Soldiers of the 9th and 10th is made acting joins the 1917 Regiment of the and soldiers units, including The Fair The battalion was are placed in frontal divisions who were stationed superintendent of command of The all- 93rd Division, is argue for the traditional Employment deployed in a secret assaults repeatedly 1953 nearby at Fort Riley. The Sequoia National General John black 92nd awarded the French complete racial approach of non- Act makes racial mission along the by an openly anti- 1948 Ninety percent organization for creating and Park. Young and J. Pershing in Infantry Croix de Guerre. integration in the combat support discrimination in Northwest coast, black commander. President of black funding the monument was his troops built the the Punitive Division is Armed only with a military in order units such as the government fighting forest fires Historians regard Harry S. servicemen spearheaded by a group of roads at the Sequoia Expedition, formed. The knife, Johnson held to boost the engineering and and defense and in position to his decision as an Truman orders in the United veteran Buffalo Soldiers, more efficiently than a cross- soldiers call back a night raid of fighting capacity transportation industry illegal. respond to Japan’s intentional move the official States military including Tural Covington any previous acting border raid themselves 12 German soldiers of the United units, but also The act, however, launching of some to inflict the most desegregation serve in Jr., Albert Curley, Fredrick T. superintendent and into Mexican the “Buffalo and saved the life States. These an artillery and is widely ignored 9,000 air balloons casualties possible of the United integrated Donlan, Samuel G. Kimble and troops. territory. Division.” of his fellow sentry. calls are ignored. chemical unit. and unenforced. loaded with bombs. on his own men. States military. units. Jay P. Meigs Jr. The Spanish-American War Era World War I Era World War I I Era The End of the Buffalo Soldiers June 1899 1907 April 1917 June 1917 Summer 1919 1939 June 1943 1944 June 1950 July 1992 August 26–27 2016 Buffalo Allen The United States formally Colonel Charles Young Returning from World The United The 332nd The 9th and 10th cavalry Though officially Chairman of the Buffalo Soldiers ride again! regiments are Allensworth enters World War I. In all, is removed from active War I as military victors States Army fighter group, regiments are added to integrated, the US Joint Chiefs of Hundreds of members deployed to and some 400,000 black duty after protests and heroes, black creates the famously the 2nd Cavalry Division. Army continued de Staff, General Colin of the Buffalo Soldiers the Philippines, Theophilus soldiers would serve the that his rise in the soldiers face unwavering 47th and known as the The division is quickly facto segregation for Powell, dedicates Motorcycle Club gather the first time G. Steward United States during WWI. ranks would put him prejudice and hostility at 48th all- Tuskegee disbanded, and the black many units and forms a monument to in Kansas City before that black retire. Of these, 200,000 would in command of white home. In what would be black units as Airmen, see soldiers are refused the all-black Second Buffalo Soldiers at riding to Fort Leavenworth regiments are serve in Europe (160,000 soldiers. Officially, the known as “Red Summer,” quartermaster their first battle. combat under the notion Ranger Infantry Fort Leavenworth. in honor of the 150th

MAGAZINE sent overseas of them as labor and road- War Department claims 78 black veterans are regiments. They would that the reconnaissance (Airborne), who take anniversary of the Buffalo MAGAZINE by the United clearing units and 40,000 Young has high blood lynched and 14 are serve until missions of their units are the name of the Soldiers. States. of them as part of the 92nd pressure and this is the burned alive—many while October 1945. unnecessary for modern Buffalo Rangers.

KANSAS! KANSAS! and 93rd infantry divisions). cause for removal. wearing their uniforms. warfare. KANSAS! —Timeline compiled and written by Bianca Brown. 56 57

Honor for their bravery during that campaign. Unfortunately, of newly enacted Jim Crow laws the soldiers were, in effect, shut were men of many talents. “Some say all the Buffalo Soldiers “It’s a complicated legacy,” says Willmott. “Their challenge

FALL 2016 FALL Roosevelt’s gratitude didn’t last. He later told newspaper out from fighting for America). They were the first Americans did was build forts and roads. In all, there were 23 who was that they were second-class citizens at best. The reality was 2016 FALL reporters that the Buffalo Soldiers had been slow and cowardly. to fight in France in WW I and would continue to fight in that received the Congressional . They’re the that they were fighting for white society against another people of The record, however, belies his words. country for the duration of the war. Due to his association with highest decorated cavalry regiment in all of U.S. military color. They were in challenging racial and ethical situations, but Other officers, however, became advocates for the Buffalo the Buffalo Soldiers, Pershing was given the name of “Black history, so how can anyone say all they did was build roads?” they thought if they succeeded, that would push civil rights along. Soldiers. One of these was General John Pershing, who went Jack.” Although it was meant as a slight on his character, he says Thompkins. “They helped settle the West. They strung They felt they were fighting for a bigger cause even though they on to command American forces during World War I. As a first liked it and kept the nickname. telegraph lines. They delivered the mail when Pony Express were fighting for a nation that didn’t want them.” lieutenant in 1895, he took command of the 10th Cavalry to help ended. Their contributions are numerous and great.” find and apprehend the famous Mexican revolutionary Pancho National Park Service “Their spirit lives on in various forms of the civil rights SOURCES: Sheffer, Debra. The Buffalo Soldiers: Their Epic Story and Major Campaigns. Praeger, Villa. He personally chose the 10th for this assignment. Though Americans love their national parks; so do visitors from movement,” says Johnson. “Whether it was W. E. B. Dubois, 2015. Print; Rawn, James. The Double V: How Wars, Protest, and Harry Truman Desegregated America’s Military. Bloomsbury Press, 2013; National Park Service brochures; Greenville Online, they were unsuccessful, Pershing never forgot the tenacity and other countries. But how many people are aware that the Booker T. Washington, or Malcolm X, the soldiers’ courageous “Buffalo Soldier Laid to Rest,” local news section from February 19, 2016, accessed May 02, 2016; work ethic of his soldiers. Years later, General Pershing would Buffalo Soldiers were among the first park rangers? In 1899 spirit is seen in them. The Buffalo Soldiers had to keep fighting Biggs, Bradley. The Triple Nickels: America’s First All-Black Paratroop Unit; Gazelle Book Services, 1986; Coen, Ross. Fu-Go: The Curious History of Japan’s Balloon Bomb Attack on America, be instrumental in having the all-black 92nd and 93rd infantry and then in 1903–1904, the soldiers worked in both Yosemite the same battle over and over again. That battle was to prove University of Nebraska Press, 2014; United States Army, army.mil/medalofhonor/Johnson, accessed May 10, 2016; U.S. Army garrison.leavenworth.army.mil “Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park” divisions fight in WW I, but under French command (because and Sequoia National Park. “The military stewardship of the that they could fight.” accessed May 10, 2016; interview with Jack McDonald, May 12, 2016