Buffalo Soldiers | The Brass Letters | 1

George Jordan, a 19-year-old former slave, made history as he enlisted in a new all-black army regiment in Nashville on Christmas Day 1866. His service would eventually earn him the nation’s highest military honor.

All-black Army Regiments Created In 1866

In the aftermath of the Civil War, the debate focused on whether black men should have a permanent place in the regular peacetime army. Congress answered this question by passing the Army Reorganization Act on July 28, 1866. This act authorized the creation of 30 new army regiments, which included six segregated regiments of black troops: two cavalry regiments (the 9th and 10th) and, initially, four infantry regiments, which were later consolidated into the 24th and 25th regiments. Black soldiers then comprised about 10 percent of the U.S. Army for the remainder of the 19th century.

Army recruiters started filling these regiments in the summer of 1866. Drawing from a significant pool of Civil War veterans, four infantry regiments were quickly organized. On the other hand, the new cavalry regiments faced greater recruitment challenges since few black men had served in cavalry roles during the war.

Resistance Met by New Black Regiments From White Americans

However, the very idea of arming black men sparked controversy in both the South and the North, despite public figures like Frederick Douglass advocating for their right to citizenship through service. Before the Civil War, black soldiers had never served in the regular army nor in state militias. Following the war, the black soldiers who had contributed to the Union victory were notably absent from the grand review in Washington, D.C., where Union troops marched in celebration, revealing an unspoken disregard for their contributions.

A narrative scenario set in June 1865 shows how a black sergeant and his men faced hostility and were denied service at a bar, illustrating the resistance and lack of acceptance from white Americans even after the war had ended. The military’s inclusion of black soldiers also faced resistance from many white Americans who opposed the idea of black men serving as commissioned officers, especially in leadership positions over white soldiers.

Challenges In Recruiting Qualified Officers and Soldiers For Black Regiments

In 1866, when Army recruiters sought to fill the ranks of the six new all-black regiments, they encountered additional barriers beyond public sentiment.

Officers Often Declined to Lead Black Regiments, Citing Beliefs of Unfitness

Many experienced officers, including Brevet Major General Eugene Carr and George Custer, declined positions with black regiments, citing a preference to serve with white units. Carr chose a lower rank to avoid comma ...

Buffalo Soldiers Secure Frontier, Protect Settlers and Railroads

Buffalo Soldiers were stationed in isolated posts with the task of making the West safe for settlement. They built roads, laid telegraph lines, mapped thousands of square miles, and protected railroad crews and settlers. Both the 9th and 10th Cavalries supported westward expansion by constructing infrastructure and subduing American Indians who resisted. At Fort Davis, their mission was to defend a large region in West Texas, including 600 miles of the Rio Grande frontier. Similarly, the 10th Cavalry was stationed in Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma, and along the Kansas Pacific Railroad.

Buffalo Soldiers Faced Harsh Conditions and Racism From Commanders and Civilians In Remote Outposts Across the Southwest and Great Plains

The Buffalo Soldiers faced not only the arduous tasks of expanding U.S. territories but also racism from military commanders and civilians. At Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, an Army colonel had to advocate for the right of the 10th Cavalry to parade, against the base commander's racist objections. Major General William Hoffman provided black recruits with inadequate equipment, subjected them to unsuitable living conditions, and levied petty charges. Lieutenant Edward Hale, a racist company commander, subjected soldiers to harsh punishments. The Buffalo Soldiers also operated in severe climates at Fort Davis, contending with water scarcity and extreme temperatures.

Buffalo Soldiers Suppressed Resisting Native American Tribes, Despite Their Complex Relationship

Buffalo Soldiers played a key role in the Indian Wars, sent to the Great Plains, New Mexico, and Arizona to suppress Native Americans who were deemed hostile by the U.S. government for resisting white settlement. These soldiers encountered tribes like the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache, who had refused to settle on reservations near the Rio Grande.

Saline River Battleground Showcased Buffalo Soldiers' Combat Prowess

The 10th Cavalry had to find and engage Cheyenne warriors who attacked a railroad crew. They faced a formidable encounter at the Saline River in central Kansas, where despite being outnumbered, they held their own against 400 warriors for six hours until the Cheyenne retreated. Sergeant William Christie was their first combat casualty, but the rest survived. Their white captain commended the soldiers for their devotion and composure.

Buffalo Soldiers often fou ...

The Buffalo Soldiers, a group of black soldiers that formed in 1866, demonstrated valor and dedication that not only provided them with personal advancement but also helped to dispel prejudices within the American Army.

Buffalo Soldiers' Bravery: Sergeant Emmanuel Stantz, Medal of Honor Recipient

Enlisting in October 1866, 19-year-old Emanuel Stantz became one of the first members of the 9th Cavalry. Despite once being enslaved and standing at only five feet, Stantz's ability to read and write quickly led to his promotion to sergeant. He logged over 630 miles of hard riding for scouting and escorting duties in 1869.

Stantz and Buffalo Soldiers Defended Settlers From Native American Raids, Showing Valor and Dedication

Sergeant Emmanuel Stantz was deeply involved in defending hundreds of miles of turbulent frontier. He displayed exceptional bravery in securing a wagon train from Native American attacks, while simultaneously searching for two abducted white children and recovering stolen horses. He was also part of the Buffalo Soldiers who defended settlers and other tasks along 600 miles of the Rio Grande border and a vast area of West Texas.

Buffalo Soldiers' Bravery Helped Dispel Prejudices Against Them

Commanders Praised Buffalo Soldiers' Actions, Recommending Them For Honors Like the Medal of Honor

The commitment and courage of Buffalo Soldiers like Emmanuel Stantz earned them commendations and recognition. General Philip Sheridan appreciated the black soldiers for their efforts, recommending Captain Lewis H. Carpenter for the Medal of Honor. Similarly, Stantz's commander recommended him for the Congressional Medal of Honor following his pivotal role in defending the wagon train.

Stantz was the first Black soldier to receive a Medal of Honor in the post-Civil War period. This prestigious award s ...