Buffalo Soldiers

This Troupe gave a presentation about the Buffalo Soldiers this afternoon at the Western National Parks Association Store. Man in the center is Aaron, one of our neighbors. They spoke before a packed house in a 50 seat auditorium. We were lucky enough to get the last two seats.

This group of volunteers travels to schools and other orgainzations teaching the history of the Buffao Soldiers, participating in parades, and even escorting military funerals.

After the Civil War, in 1866, Congress authorized the 10th Cavalry which became known as the Buffao Soldiers. The enlisted men were black and the officers were white. They were sent to the West to maintain peace and to fight Indians. The Indians called them Buffalo Soldiers because they fought so hard and, like their honored buffalo, didn't give up even when wounded.

Women traveled along with the Army doing cooking and laundry and being with their husbands.

We were shown some of the period weapons, saddles, and other equipment. We tried to imagine how hard it must have been to reload those old guns while galloping along on a horse.