July 28th commemorates Buffalo Soldiers Day, a time to remember the contributions of African-American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army following the Civil War. On September 21, 1866, Congress enacted legislation allowing six all-Black segregated regiments to serve in the regular U.S. Army during peacetime. Later, the U.S. Army consolidated the Buffalo Soldiers into four regiments—the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry.

Origin of the Term “Buffalo Soldiers”

The reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers sang about Buffalo Soldiers (https://genius.com/Bob-marley-and-the-wailers-buffalo-soldier-lyrics), but where did the Buffalo Soldiers’ name originate? Although unclear, sources propose that their name originated with Cheyenne Native American warriors,  the Comanche tribe, Plains Indians, or Apache. 

The Contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers

The Buffalo soldiers were comprised of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War soldiers, in addition to being the first African-Americans to serve during peacetime, according to the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association (https://www.buffalosoldiersheritageassociation.org/history-1). 

“Once the Westward movement had begun, these soldiers were charged with and responsible for escorting settlers, cattle herds, railroad crews and building the infrastructure needed for new settlements to flourish. They patrolled the Western frontier, following all the same orders as white cavalrymen. They protected wagons and trains from outlaws, built telegraph lines, improved roads, escorted mail carriers, and fought in more than 125 conflicts with American Indians,” the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association reported.

The Buffalo Soldiers also protected national parks such as Yosemite from wildfires and thieves, National Park Service further explained.

Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper, first African-American graduate of West Point

Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper: The First African American to Graduate from West Point

Lt. Henry O. Flipper, born into slavery on March 21, 1856, became the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the first African American commissioned officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers. He penned his autobiography, “The Colored Cadet at West Point,” and made historical strides, despite facing racism. 

Lt. Flipper engineered a drainage system at Fort Sill in 1878 that was constructed under his supervision by the Buffalo Soldiers in the 10th Cavalry. 

“It eliminated stagnant malarial ponds and swamps created during the rainy season and did much to improve the health of the post. Draining north into Medicine Bluff Creek. It continues to control flood waters and erosion in the area today,” according to Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library (https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15766coll2/id/676).

Taking action to create what is now known as “Flipper’s Ditch” ended a malaria outbreak that had killed many Fort Sill Soldiers, according to the Fort Sill Tribune.

“His other accomplishments included surveying and supervising construction of a road from Fort Sill to Gainesville, Texas, and building an intricate telegraph line from Fort Supply, Indian Territory, to Fort Elliott, Texas. He also served as part of the military escort that removed Quanah Parker and his band of Comanches to the reservation at Fort Sill,” Mitch Meador also reported.

The U.S. Army Center of Military History mentioned that some of Lt. Flipper’s other duties included scouting, serving as post engineer surveyor and construction supervisor, post adjutant, acting assistant and post quartermaster, and commissary officer. 

Lt. Flipper’s service took an unfortunate turn when he ran a commissary at Fort Davis in Texas. 

“In 1881 Lieutenant Flipper's commanding officer accused him of ‘embezzling funds and of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.’ As a result of these charges, he was court-martialed,” The U.S. Army Center of Military History also reported. “He was acquitted of the embezzlement charge but was found guilty, by general court-martial, of conduct unbecoming an officer. On June 30, 1882, he was dismissed from the Army as required by this conviction.”

 Lt. Flipper maintained his innocence, and he made numerous attempts to have his conviction reversed. He died in Georgia in 1940. The U.S. National Park Service stated that the case was reviewed by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in 1976 (https://www.nps.gov/foda/learn/historyculture/secondlieutenanthenryflipper.htm).

 “The board recommended that all Flipper’s Army records ‘be corrected to show that he was separated from the Army of the United States on a Certificate of Honorable Discharge on 30 June 1882.’”

President William Jefferson Clinton posthumously pardoned Lieutenant Flipper on February 19, 1999.

“In 1881, Lt. Flipper was accused by his commanding officer of improperly accounting for the funds entrusted to him. A later Army review suggested he had been singled out for his race, but at the time there wasn't much justice available for a young African American soldier,” said former President Clinton.

Keep Their Legacy Alive

Do not forget the significant contributions of American heroes like the Buffalo Soldiers. They deserve more recognition. Visit https://www.buffalosoldiersheritageassociation.org to learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers.