The legendary Buffalo Soldiers, four army regiments of former slaves, were vital in taming the American frontier. The Tenth Cavalry of African American troopers rode across the Colorado plains to battle the Cheyennes and rescue wounded, starving soldiers at Beecher Island on the Arikaree River. Under the cover of darkness, the Ninth Cavalry aided besieged troops pinned down by Ute sharpshooters at Milk Creek. They drove off Cheyenne Dog Soldiers attacking a stagecoach of nervous travelers on the Smokey Hill Trail to Denver. And they braved howling blizzards and deep snowdrifts to protect lonely homesteads and wandering prospectors. Author Nancy K. Williams details the bravery and valor of these historic servicemen who served proudly defending America's Wild West.
The legendary Buffalo Soldiers, four army regiments of former slaves, were vital in taming the American frontier. The Tenth Cavalry of African American troopers rode across the Colorado plains to battle the Cheyennes and rescue wounded, starving soldiers at Beecher Island on the Arikaree River. Under the cover of darkness, the Ninth Cavalry aided besieged troops pinned down by Ute sharpshooters at Milk Creek. They drove off Cheyenne Dog Soldiers attacking a stagecoach of nervous travelers on the Smokey Hill Trail to Denver. And they braved howling blizzards and deep snowdrifts to protect lonely homesteads and wandering prospectors. Author Nancy K. Williams details the bravery and valor of these historic servicemen who served proudly defending America's Wild West.
Focusing on the Indian Wars period of the 1840s through the 1890s, Life of a Soldier on the Western Frontier captures the daily challenges faced by the typical enlisted man and explores the role soldiers played in the conquering of the American frontier.
Thirteen essays examine the roles African-Americans played in the settling of the American West, discussing the slaves of Mormons and California gold miners; African-American army men, cowboys, and newspaper founders; and others on the frontier. Also includes a bibliographic essay.
The year 1877 was a drought year in West Texas. That summer, some forty buffalo soldiers struck out into the Llano Estacado, pursuing a band of raiding Comanches. Several days later they were missing and presumed dead from thirst. Although most of the soldiers straggled back into camp, four died, and others faced court-martial for desertion. Here, Carlson provides insight into the interaction of soldiers, hunters, settlers, and Indians on the Staked Plains.
Black Heroes in Every American War There has scarcely been a battle in which America has not been served by the valor and sacrifice of what poets have called, "the darker brother." American has a history of forgotten black heroes, and a public that seems barely aware of their courage and honor. The first Buffalo Soldiers were the 9th and 10th Calvaries, formed by the U.S. Army in 1866 and composed mostly of freed slaves and Civil War veterans. The patrolled the Mexican border, and took part in the Spanish-American war and in the U.S. expedition to the Philippines. While it is regrettable that Black Americans should have participated in military actions adversely affecting native peoples, we must remember that not all the measures taken by the government were unprovoked, nor were all of them carried out with the ruthlessness we sometimes hear of. Buffalo soldiers and Black cowboys were merely one factor in the opening of the West. It was a job somebody had to do, and certain toughness went with the territory; the oppressive aspects, while not excusable, were indeed part of that history. During the Indian Wars, from 1866-1890, the use of Black soldiers was widespread in the West, and numerous engagements demonstrated the valor and toughness of the African fighters. Colonel Benjamin Grierson insisted to his superiors that the term "colored," which originally prefixed the title of the regiment, was demeaning and unnecessary. Ultimately, he prevailed, and it was dropped. Two all-Black Calvary regiments, the 9th and the 10th, saw considerable service; tow all Black infantry regiments, the 24th and 25th, were also much used. Stuck with a thankless job, it fell to these Black freedmen togarrison forts, quell disturbances, and generally keep the peace. Not infrequently called to put their lives on the line in the name of the United States government, these heroic Black regiments won a total of twenty Medals of Honor.
In graphic novel format, tells the story of the African American soldiers known as Buffalo Soldiers, who fought against American Indians and protected the Western Frontier of the United States.
