To spread the full, true, and rich stories of the people of our culture and make them known to All Americans so that we can grow and develop stronger ties as members of our society.
Through the mottos of the 9th Calvary, WE can, WE Will, and the 10th Calvary Ready and Forward, we will continue to make this the greatest nation in the history of the world.
Recognizing & Honoring History
In 1866, Congress passed the “Act to Increase and Fix the Military Peace Establishment of the United States.” It called for the creation of 30 new army regiments, including 2 cavalry and four infantry that were to “be composed of Colored men.” These all-Black regiments, organized in 1866-1867, became Ninth and Tenth U.S. Cavalry and the Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, and Forty-first U.S. Infantry Regiments.
Black men enlisted and some even reenlisted in the army for a variety of reasons after the civil war. Most were veterans of that war. Many of them had been slaves. Jobs were scarce, the opportunities were very few for the uneducated, former slave. The U.S. Army not only offered them paying jobs, but room and board, limited education, clothing, and an opportunity to be a productive citizen of this country.
About 20 percent of U.S. Cavalry troops that participated in the Indians Wars were buffalo soldiers, who participated in at least 177 conflicts.
Buffalo Soldiers of Florida
The Buffalo Soldiers of Central FL was founded with talks, talks and more talks. In Feb. of 1993, Professor William H. Leckie, Author of “The Buffalo Soldier, a narrative of the Negro Cavalry in the West” became our first recruit, H.L. Williams.
From that point on the Organization has grown to include the Historical narrative of ALL the Black People who have given their lives for the freedom of their people in the United States. From Estavenico in 1524 to the present. The Buffalo Soldiers of FL. have been dedicated to filling in the blanks of the U.S. story. Members have traveled the world, from South Africa to Japan, West Point and all over the United States telling and presenting the Untold story of the “Buffalo Soldiers”
Buffalo Soldiers Florida has worked with At Risk Youth and are Historical Reenactors. Today, we have transitioned to sharing the untold history of the men who made up the United States Colored Troops and the men called Buffalo Soldiers through lecturing, we also offer the services of certified Veteran Service Officers, we mentor in the Veterans Behavior court in the 10th Judicial Circuit. We are encouragers of veterans seeking assistance from Veterans Affairs. Buffalo Soldiers Florida Inc. is a not-for-profit, 501C(3).
Racial Prejudice
The Buffalo Soldiers were often confronted with racial prejudice from other members of the U.S. Army. Civilians in the areas that the soldiers were stationed occasionally reacted to them with violence. Buffalo Soldiers were attacked in Rio Grande City, Brownsville, and Huston Texas in 1899, 1906 and 1917.
End of Buffalo Soldiers
The 24th Infantry Regiment saw combat during the Korean War and was the last segregated regiment to engage in combat. They were deactivated in 1951 and integrated into other units in Korea.
On December 12, 1952, the last Buffalo Soldier units, the 27th and 28th Calvary were deactivated.
Wars
- Indian Wars
- Post Indian Wars
- Mexican Revolution
- World War I
- World War II
Park Rangers
A little known fact fact is that the eight of the Buffalo Soldiers from the 9th Calvary and one company from the 24th Infantry served in California’s Sierra Nevadas some of the first National Park Rangers.
In 1899 they briefly served in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. The Buffalo Soldiers Lasting Legacy as park rangers is the ranger hat, often referred to as the Smokey the Bear Hat.
Statues
- Fort Leavenworth Kansas
- Junction City Kansas
- Fort Huachuca Arizona
Medal of Honor Recipients
- Edward L Baker Jr
- Dennis Bell
- Thomas Boyne
- Benjamin Brown
- George Ritter Burnett
- Louis H. Carpenter
- John Denny
- Clinton Greaves
- Henry Johnson
- George Jordan
- Fitz Lee
- Isaiah Mays
- William McBryar
- Thomas Shaw
- Emmanuel Stance
- Freddie Stowers
- William H. Thompkins
- Augustus Walley
- George H. Wanton
- Moses Williams
- William Othello Wilson
- Brent Woods
