Buffalo Soldiers Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Buffalo Soldiers

After the Civil War, the first peacetime all-Black army regiment, which is celebrated annually on July 28 as Buffalo Soldiers Day, was established primarily to maintain order in the Wild West. In such a hostile environment, where unknown natural hazards and thieves abounded, the buffalo soldiers had exceptionally low rates of desertion. These valiant warriors of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were inexplicably dubbed “buffalo soldiers” not by their own leadership, but by the Native American tribes they encountered — and no one knows why! These troops aided in the capture of cattle thieves, the protection of national parks, and the secure travel of settlers from the East, among other things. Today, we honour their service in securing the safety of our nation and paving the way for greater racial equality in the military.

The background of Buffalo Soldiers Day

The bison soldiers, so named by Native American Indians for unknown reasons, were among the most courageous frontier soldiers in the Wild, Wild West. After the end of the Civil War, the all-Black servicemen consisted of the 9th and 10th Cavalry, as well as some infantry regiments. In 1866 and 1867, when the 9th and 10th Cavalry mustered, they were given inferior and insufficient supplies.

Despite a lack of supplies, their assignment to the dangerous and remote American frontier, and racism from their commanders and the citizens they were sworn to protect, the buffalo soldiers had the lowest desertion rates of all frontier groups at the time. The 9th Cavalry was initially sent to Texas, while the 10th was sent to Kansas. However, the majority of their duties remained the same: protecting roads and settlers from Native American Indians.

The Indian Wars were a series of battles and skirmishes that occurred as White settlers encroached upon the territory of Native American Indians. The buffalo soldiers were able to subdue the Native American Indians for more than a decade, with the 10th Cavalry accompanying the 9th in Texas during their campaigns. Twenty percent or more of the US Cavalry soldiers who fought in these engagements were the tiny but mighty buffalo soldiers!

Following the Indian Wars, the buffalo soldiers were given new assignments. As national parks such as Yosemite were created, they played a crucial role in deterring unfriendly individuals such as poaching. In response to the Spanish-American War, the cavalry and some infantry divisions were transferred to Florida at a later date. They would go on to serve in the Philippines, the Pacific theatre of World War II, and at the Mexican border, all the while facing prejudice at every turn.

In the late 1940s, racial segregation in the military was dissolved, and by the 1950s, the buffalo soldiers had been redistributed to other units. Nonetheless, their legacy was unmistakable. After the dust settled, fourteen members of the buffalo soldiers were granted the Medal of Honour for their undeniably vital work in protecting roads and settlers. They were valiant and courageous men whom we honour as illuminating historical figures today.

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5. IMPORTANT BUFFALO SOLDIERS FACTS

Many members of the buffalo soldiers were bestowed the Medal of Honour for going above and beyond the call of duty.

When the 10th Cavalry Regiment was established, the soldiers were given old horses, equipment, and very little ammo; despite this, the unit demonstrated remarkable success.

During the 30 years they supervised the American frontier, the bison soldiers participated in nearly 200 engagements.

Henry Ossian Flipper, the first Black man to graduate from U.S. Military Academy West Point, led the 10th Cavalry as the first Black officer to command U.S. military forces.

Not the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Despite some confusion, the award is merely known as the Medal of Honour and not the Congressional Medal of Honour.

BUFFALO SOLDIERS DAY DATES