The Buffalo Soldier - Essay Example

Section/# The Buffalo Soldier The history of African-Americans in the Armed Forces of s back to the Revolutionary war and the militias which were used to fight the British. These militia forces were either drawn from the rare free African-Americans that had either bought or were given their freedom by the former slaveholders or from slaves who were sent to the militia as a means of aiding revolutionary cause. Naturally, African American soldiers were once again use within the Civil War by both sides. Of course, the African-Americans that fought for the side of the North were ultimately frightening for their own freedom and the freedom of fellow African-Americans within South. During the Civil War, black units or regiments were referred to as “Colored Units”. It is from such a level of organization during the Civil War that Congress decided to authorize the formation of two specific black cavalry regiments upon its conclusion. These black cavalry regiments were designated the 9th, 10th, 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st. Naturally, as with many full-time army regiments, these were dispersed around the nation and comprised of both enlisted men and officers. In keeping with the way in which black regiments had been organized during the Civil War, the officer corps which directed and commanded these African American soldiers were mainly white to; with but a few black officers represented. Of course, seeking to define, understand, and relate the importance of all of these regiments would require something of a dissertation length response. However, this brief analysis will seek to analyze and discuss the 9th and the 10th regiments; oftentimes colloquially referred to as “Buffalo Soldiers”. Specifically, the 9th and the 10th regiment were tasked with defending the Great Plains region from Native American attacks. At this time, Native Americans were of course continue to pressured further and further westward by the ever – expanding United States of America. Accordingly, the buffer zone between where the United States and its soldiers met with Native Americans was oftentimes the flashpoint of tension and violence. Accordingly, at such a time, particular region was one of the most dangerous regions to serve within the entire United States. It was within this particular cauldron of hostile activity that the 9th and the 10th regiment would prove their mettle. Although there is no clear agreement with regards to where the term “Buffalo Soldiers” came from, it has been surmised that this was a term bequeathed to these regiments by the flows they so often fought. One particular account states the fact that after an attack by Cheyenne braves, attacked a contingent of hunters that were being protected by two members of the 10th regiment (Renard 707). The attack lasted for well over an hour with over 70 Cheyenne warriors seeking to kill both the hunters and their military escort. However, regardless of how hard they tried, the members from the 10th regiment fought valiantly and refuse to give up even in the face of overwhelming seemingly hopeless odds. Ultimately, one of the soldiers which is been described within the previous story, suffered from a bullet learned to his shoulder and up to 11 lance wins over his entire body; nonetheless, he fought on with nothing short of a pistol and his saber. It is without question that due to this level of heroism, the renowned to which both enemy and friend alike the stowed upon the African-American soldier within the United States Army was born (Schubert 1219). Moreover, from such a interaction, it is oftentimes said that the Cheyenne warriors, upon returning to their tribe, noted that they had faced a soldier unlike any they had ever faced before; one that fought like a buffalo. However the term was coined, the name stuck in Buffalo soldiers were from then on used as a synonym for African-American soldier serving United States Army specifically black regiments. Perhaps even more importantly from historical and civil rights standpoint, the heroic actions of the 9th and the 10th regiments served as something of a focal point for African-Americans and one of only a few bright spots in a previously dismal American experience that African-Americans could look up to and be ultimately proud of. Moreover, the term has since grown and morphed and no longer only represents those individuals who fought within the 9th and the 10th regiments but can equally refer to any and all African American soldiers within the United States military both past and present (Glasrud 257). Whereas many aspects of American society that time continue to place the African-American at a particular disadvantage with regards to the remainder of society, the record and renowned that the 9th and 10th cavalry enjoyed saw them specifically utilized as something of the best that the Army could bring to bear within any given situation. Within such a framework of understanding, the reader can and should integrate with the idea that the 9th and 10th cavalry regiments soon took up the mantle of the United States government’s “crack troops” within the Western theater (Siber 30). Although there is little first-hand evidence that specifically define these groups such a way, the level of important missions and actions that these regiments were called upon as compared to their other Army counterparts speaks to the high regard that were bestowed upon these units. If the Army, and the United States government for that matter, had little respect or regard for such units, it would likely be the case that they were merely relegated to my pain duties of guarding forts or supply lines. However, as the historical evidence indicates, they were instead used in a variety of means that underscored the true level of respect that these regiments earned; both within the military and as high up as president of the United States. Evidence of this can of course be seen with regards to the fact that the Buffalo soldiers of the 9th and 10th cavalry regiments were utilized in an action that became known as Johnston County war. During the Johnston County war, tensions have escalated between wealthy landowners and poorer farmers within Johnston County Wyoming. These tensions reached a boiling point when the rich land owners hired a cadre of killers to deal and deathblow to the poorer farmers upon whom they had for so long been trespassing. The situation reached a climax as both of these groups began and shooting were in casualties began to mount on both sides. Surveying the situation Washington DC, then President Benjamin Harrison called upon the 9th Regiment to ride out to Johnston County and put down the uprising. Although many other units could of been called upon, President Benjamin Harrison was of course of the opinion, like so many other stakeholders within the government and military, but the very best regiment seek such a responsibility was that of the 9th (Black & Thompson 34). True to form, the 9th Regiment fulfilled their obligations and brought peace between the two warring factions. However, unfortunately, due to the continuing racial discord that existed within the United States, the 9th Regiment was sadly not respected and was forced to leave the region by the Army so that a more racially compatible 6th Regiment could take the helm of the peacekeeping action. From the brief analysis that has thus far been presented, the reader can see and understand why the actions that were undertaken by the 9th and 10th cavalry units earned such a monumental degree of renowned. Ultimately, yonder merely fighting for their country and exhibiting extraordinary gallantry and bravery in the face of oftentimes seemingly insurmountable odds, the Buffalo soldiers were able to prove to their military counterparts, as well as many individuals within society, that the African-American citizen was every bit as talented, gallant, intelligent, and determined as his white counterpart. Unfortunately, it would take another nearly 100 years in order to see African-American and white society integrate; however, the Buffalo soldiers and their sacrifices were in importance that healing post-war scar and moving the United States military in a more progressive and realistic direction. Works Cited Black, Helen K., and William H. Thompson. "A War Within A War: A World War II Buffalo Soldier's Story." Journal Of Men's Studies 20.1 (2012): 32-46. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Glasrud, Bruce A. "Western Black Soldiers Since The Buffalo Soldiers: A Review Of The Literature." Social Science Journal 36.2 (1999): 251-270. Business Source Premier. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Renard, Paul. "Brothers To The Buffalo Soldiers: Perspectives On The African American Militia And Volunteers, 1865-1917." Journal Of Military History 77.2 (2013): 707-708. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Schubert, Frank N. "The 25Th Infantry At Brownsville, Texas: Buffalo Soldiers, The "Brownsville Six," And The Medal Of Honor." Journal Of Military History 75.4 (2011): 1217-1224. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Siber, Kate. "Standing Guard." National Parks 86.4 (2012): 28-34. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. Read More