Buffalo Soldiers Research Paper

The Buffalo Soldiers were African American soldiers who served in the United States Army after the Civil War. They were the first African Americans to serve in a peacetime army. They mostly served in the Western territories of the United States where they escorted settlers and worked to protect and help railroad crews and cattle herders. They were organized into all-black regiments with white commanding officers. These men were eager to sign up because the Army offered them a chance to better themselves both economically and socially. The soldiers were paid thirteen dollars a month, they were given a place to live, and were given food and clothing, so this was considered a golden opportunity for these men (Rand).
Nearly sixteen months after
Law and order were little more than a hope in the post-Civil War southwest, and civil authorities consistently relied upon the aid of the Army in rounding up undesirables who were the cause of many disturbances that could not be handled by local authorities (Davis). In 1881, the 9th Cavalry's headquarters moved to Fort Riley, Kansas where it was assigned the unpopular task of keeping settlers out of Indian Territory. Four years later, the headquarters was moved to Fort McKinney, Washington. Studded with 15 Medals of Honor received between 1870 and 1890, the 9th left an enviable campaign record in the legacy of the frontier. In Cuba, the 9th again rose to the occasion as it captured one of the Spanish blockhouses at Santiago. Consequently, the blockhouse appears on the regimental crest. Like their brothers of the 10th regiment, the 9th was in the thick of the action during the charge up San Juan Hill (Rand).
The 10th Cavalry was organized September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas with Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson commanding. Most of its recruits came from Philadelphia, Boston and Pittsburgh. General William Hoffman, commanding at Fort Leavenworth, had little fondness for Negro troops or their officers. He would not respond to Grierson's petitions for better quarters or even provide walkways to keep the men's feet