BLACK SOLDIERS IN THE WEST: A PROUD TRADITION

During the Civil War over 180,000 Black Americans served in the Union Army and Navy. More than 33,000 died. After the war, the future of black men in the nation’s military was in doubt. In 1866, however, Congress authorized black Americans to serve in the peacetime army of the United States in segregated units mostly commanded by white officers. Two cavalry and four infantry regiments were created and designated the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments and the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st Infantry Regiments.

In 1869, Congress enacted a troop reduction and consolidation leading to the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st Infantry Regiments being re- designated as the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments. The four remaining regiments, the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments would become known as the “Buffalo Soldiers.”

During the 19th century, Buffalo Soldiers served in Arizona, California, Colorado, the Dakotas, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. In Arizona they garrisoned such posts s as Fort Apache, Fort Bowie, Fort Grant, Fort Huachuca, Fort Verde, and Fort Whipple. Fort Huachuca enjoys the distinction of being the only military installation having served as home to each of the four Buffalo Soldier regiments at one time or another.

Buffalo Soldiers played a major role in the settlement and development of the American West. They performed such duties as guarding and delivering the mail as well as escorting and or guarding stagecoaches, railroad crews, and surveyors. They built roads and telegraph lines, mapped and explored the territories and provided security for westward expansion. Other duties included maintaining law and order and pursuing outlaws.

During the period of the Indian Wars, the Buffalo Soldiers engaged in conflicts with the Apache, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, Sioux, and Ute. The Buffalo Soldier’s dedication and exemplary conduct in the West continued with participation in the Spanish American War, deployment to the Philippines, and decades of protecting the United States-Mexico Border.

9th Cavalry 10th Cavalry

24th Infantry 25th Infantry

BUFFALO SOLDIER MEDAL OF HONOR RECEIPIENTS BUFFALO SOLDIER MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

BUFFALO SOLDIER MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS The Medal of Honor, the highest military award that can be given to a member of the U.S. military, is presented by the president. The Medal of Honor was authorized for the U.S. Army in 1862. It is awarded to individuals who, in service their country, distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Over 400 men who served on the frontier Indian Campaigns between 1865 and 1899 earned the nation's highest military decoration. Eighteen medals were awarded to black soldiers:  Eight were presented to members of the 9th Cavalry  Four to members of the 10th Cavalry  Six to members of the 24th Infantry

ARIZONA'S BUFFALO SOLDIER MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

Sergeant Benjamin Brown Unit: 24th Infantry Regiment, Company B

General Orders: Date of Issue: February 19, 1890 Sergeant Benjamin Brown received recognition for his actions during the “Wham Paymaster Robbery,” in the Arizona Territory in 1889. The crack of gunfire split the midday quiet in a remote corner of southeastern Arizona, not far from the tiny Mormon settlement of Pima. From behind fortifications overlooking the Fort Grant - Fort Thomas road, at a place known locally as “Bloody Run,” a band of highwaymen ambushed army paymaster Major Joseph Washington Wham and his buffalo soldier escort. Following a hard-fought battle, the bandits made off with more than $28,000, which was never recovered. Eight of the twelve-man escort were wounded in “a sharp short fight” in defense of the army payroll. Sergeant Benjamin Brown refused to give up his defense, even though being shot in the abdomen and then wounded in both arms. Brown died in 1910 and was buried at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Corporal Isaiah Mays Unit: 24th Infantry Regiment, Company B

General Orders: Date of Issue: February 19, 1890

Corporal Isaiah Mays received recognition for his actions during the “Wham Paymaster Robbery,” in Arizona Territory, in 1889. Mays was born into slavery in Virginia. He joined the Army from Columbus Barracks, Ohio, and by May 11, 1889 was serving as a corporal in Company B of the 24th Infantry Regiment. On that day, he was among the troops attacked while transporting an army payroll consisting of $28,000. Corporal Mays walked and crawled two miles to a ranch for help. After leaving the army in 1893, Mays worked as a laborer in Arizona and New Mexico. He applied for a federal pension in 1922 but was denied. He died at the Arizona State Hospital in 1925 at age sixty-seven and was buried in the adjoining cemetery. Only a small stone block etched with a number marked his grave. In 2001, an official United States Department of Army headstone replaced the original marker. In 2009, his body was moved to Arlington National Cemetery for a proper burial befitting a Medal of Honor recipient.

Sergeant William McBryar Unit: 10th Cavalry Regiment, Troop K

General Orders: Date of Issue: May 15, 1890

Sergeant Major William McBryar was a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor-- for his actions during the Cherry Creek Campaign in Arizona Territory. McBryar joined the Army from New York City and by March 7, 1890 was serving as a sergeant in Company K of the 10th Cavalry Regiment. On that day, he participated in an engagement in Arizona where he "distinguished himself for coolness, bravery and marksmanship while his troop was in pursuit of Apache Indians." For his actions, Sergeant McBryar was awarded the Medal of Honor two months later, on May 15, 1890. McBryar later became a commissioned officer and left the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant. He died at age 80 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

The 9th Cavalry Regiment The 10th Cavalry Regiment Motto: We Can, We Will Motto: Ready and Forward

The 9th Cavalry was organized at Greenville, LA in The 10th Cavalry was organized at Fort Leavenworth, KS in September 1866 under the command of Colonel Edward September 1866, under the command of Colonel Benjamin Hatch. The 9th Cavalry came to Fort Huachuca in 1898 and Grierson. The 10th Cavalry arrived in Arizona in the mid- rotated in and out of the fort until 1900. The 9th Cavalry 1880s and was the first black unit assigned to the state. The participated in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine- 10th Cavalry participated in the Spanish-American War, American War and the Punitive Expedition of 1916. Philippine-American War and Punitive Expedition of 1916.

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The 24th Infantry Regiment The 25th Infantry Regiment Motto: Semper Paratus (Always Prepared) Motto: Onward

The 24th was organized at Fort McKavett, TX in November The 25th was organized at Jackson Barracks, LA in April 1869 1869 under the command of Colonel Ranald Mackenzie. under the command of Colonel Joseph A. Mower. Companies The 24th was the first black regiment assigned to Fort of the 25th took up residence at Fort Huachuca in 1898, after Huachuca in 1892. In 1893 the entire regiment garrisoned at returning from the Spanish-American War in Cuba. The the fort until 1896. The 24th Infantry participated in the regiment remained there until the end of April 1899. The 25th Spanish-American War and the Punitive Expedition of 1916. Infantry participated in the Philippine-American War.

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