Page 10 The Skanner July 13, 2016
News
Buffalo Soldiers Celebrate 150th Anniversary
Historian says upcoming anniversary is a milestone
T
he Buffalo Soldiers National Mu-
seum has a reason to celebrate.
A century and a half ago Black
soldiers called “Buffalo Soldiers”
first served in the American military.
Beginning Monday, July 25 through
Saturday, July 30, the museum will be
the site of activities celebrating the
150th anniversary of the Buffalo Sol-
diers, as part of the 9th and 10th (Horse)
Cavalry Association Annual Reunion.
In addition, the Houston museum has
been chosen as national headquarters
of the association, the umbrella organi-
zation of more than 40 Buffalo Soldiers’
chapters across the country.
Founded in 2001 by Captain Paul J.
Matthews, an Army Vietnam veteran
and African American military histo-
rian, the museum is dedicated to pre-
serving the legacy of Buffalo Soldiers.
The exhibits cover seven wars, along
with women in the military, chaplains
in the military and astronauts.
For more than 35 years, Matthews has
collected military artifacts and has the
largest collection of African-American
military memorabilia in the world. The
museum offers programs and projects
that reach out to community members
of all ages.
Matthews said the upcoming anni-
versary marks a milestone in Ameri-
can history.
“In 1866, the U.S. Army reorganized
and established the first peacetime
Army,” he said. “As a part of the reor-
ganization they created six Black units.
This July 28 will be the 150th anniver-
sary of the formation of those segre-
gated units. We’re very excited about
that. We will have our headquarters at
the Houston Marriott Westchase Hotel
and related activities at the museum.”
PHOTO COURTESY BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM
By Marilyn Marshall
(Houston Defender, NNPA Member)
1. In 1866, through an act of Congress,
legislation was adopted to create six all
African-American Army units. The units
were identified as the 9th and 10th Cavalry
and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry
regiments. The four infantry regiments were
later reorganized to form the 24th and 25th
Infantry regiments.
2. These fighting men represented the first
Black professional soldiers in a peacetime
army. The recruits came from varied
backgrounds including former slaves and
veterans from service in the Civil War.
3. The nickname Buffalo Soldiers began
with Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The actual
Cheyenne translation was Wild Buffalo. The
nickname was given out of respect for the
fierce fighting ability of the 10th U.S. Cavalry.
This July 28 will be the 150th anniversary of the formation of the first unit of Black professional soldiers
in a peacetime army.
In a one-on-one interview, Matthews
discussed the reunion celebration,
the museum and the Buffalo Soldiers,
brave African-American men who
served in a variety of posts in the 1800s.
Houston Defender: What sparked
your interest in the Buffalo Soldiers?
Captain Paul J. Matthews: While I was
“
falo Soldiers and Blacks in the military?
CPM: I take them back to Frederick
Douglass who said at the start of the
Civil War, “Give the colored man a
uniform, a buckle with the U.S. on it, a
button with the eagle on it and a mus-
ket and you’ll make him a citizen but
you’ll also make him a man.” He wanted
I take them back to Frederick Douglass who
said at the start of the Civil War, ‘Give the col-
ored man a uniform, a buckle with the U.S. on
it, a button with the eagle on it and a musket
and you’ll make him a citizen but you’ll also
make him a man.’
an ROTC cadet at Prairie View A&M
University I read two paragraphs in
a military book about the Buffalo Sol-
diers and became intrigued by the
Black men in blue uniforms…it was a
story that needed to be told.
HD: Why is it important for Afri-
can-Americans to learn about the Buf-
to make sure the Civil War was being
fought for freedom and not just to save
the Union.
The same thing occurred in World
War I. W.E.B. DuBois said, “Put aside
your differences, go overseas, come
back and be first-class citizens.” The
military has always been a very im-
portant component of the Black com-
munity. When I was growing up in La
Marque, Texas, and we would go to
church, World War II soldiers would
come in and people would stand up.
In the ‘60s when you graduated from
high school it was either the Army or
college. That’s the way it was. The mil-
itary, other than the Vietnam era, was
always extremely popular in the Black
community.
Read the rest at TheSkanner.com
4. Over time, Buffalo Soldiers became a
generic term for all African-American soldiers
serving in the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry and
the 24th and 25th U.S. Infantry Regiments.
5. During the late 1800s and early 1900s,
the Buffalo Soldiers were assigned to
the harshest and most desolate posts.
Specific duties included subduing Mexican
revolutionaries, outlaws, rustlers and warring
Native Americans. Additional administrative
duties included exploring and mapping the
Southwest and establishing outposts for
future towns.
The Buffalos Soldiers National Museum
will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the
Buffalo Soldiers in Houston Texas from July
28 – July 30. For more information, visit www.
buffalosoldiermuseum.com.
The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum relies
on supporters to keep its doors open. Two
ways the community can help include:
1. Become a member. Museum membership
ranges from $35 for students and seniors
to $50,000 for its highest level of corporate
membership. The most popular membership
is $45 for individuals, which includes
unlimited free museum admission for one
year, discounts on gift store merchandise and
museum rentals, invitations to special events
and a quarterly newsletter subscription.
2. Buy a brick. The museum’s “Leave-A-Legacy…
Buy-A-Brick” Paver Program allows donors
to create a lasting memory by purchasing a
one-of-a-kind engraved brick permanently
displayed on the museum’s Soldiers Plaza.
Bricks start at $175 and can honor a veteran,
promote a business, surprise a friend, cheer
an alma mater or commemorate a special
date or event. For information, call 713-942-
8920.