BUFFALO SOLDIERSBrianna Campbell

WHO WERE THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS?

• In 1866 through an act of congress, legislation was adopted to

create six all African American army units. The units were

identified as the 9th and 10th cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th

and 41st infantry regiments. The four infantry units were

reorganized in 1868 as the 24th and the 25th infantry. Black

soldiers enlisted for five years and received $13.00 a month, far

more than they could have earned in civilian life.

• All Black Soldiers eventually became known as Buffalo Soldiers

Contributions

• Were the first line of defense on the frontier, guarding forts and

ranches and engaging in conflicts with the Comanche and Apache,

Mexican revolutionaries, and outlaws.

• Provided protection by escorting wagon trains and stagecoaches.

• Vital in developing infrastructure in the West.

• Became Park Rangers

• Known as the backbone of support for the modern civil rights

movement

Most recruits had no education

Were taught to read and write and were given a basic education

Western Expansion The Buffalo Soldier’s main charge was to protect settlers as they moved west

and to support the westward expansion by building the infrastructure needed

for new settlements to flourish

Had a vital impact on expansion

Important People

• Fitz Lee (June 1866 – September 14, 1899)- was a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Tayacoba in the Spanish–American War.

• Benjamin Henry Grierson (July 8, 1826 – August 31, 1911)- organized and led the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment from 1866 to 1888.

• Charles Young (March 12, 1864 - January 8, 1922) was the third African-American graduate of West Point, the first black U.S. national park superintendent, first black military attaché, first black to achieve the rank of colonel, and highest-ranking black officer in the United States Army until his death in 1922.

How Buffalo Soldiers Effected Society

Civil Rights Movement

Western Expansion

Gave society a new view on black citizens

WORKS CITED

1. . N.p.. Web. 17 Mar 2014. <http://www.buffalosoldiers-

amwest.org/history.htm>.

2. Martines, Sheree. N.p.. Web. 17 Mar 2014.

<http://www.ehow.com/list_7479353_contributions-did-buffalo-soldiers-

make.html>.

3. Glasurd, Bruce. 0.

<http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/B/BU005.html>.

4. Davis, S. L.. N.p.. Web. 17 Mar 2014. <http://www.buffalosoldier.net/>.