An Almost Forgotten History

One year after the Civil War, Congress created two experimental cavalry regiments for service on the western frontiers, and African Americans, many only recently freed from slavery, filled the ranks of the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry. Wearing blue uniforms, they fought from Canada to Mexico and from the Rockies to the Mississippi to keep the peace and protect settlers, even though many of those they served despised them for their uniform, the color of their skin, or both. In the field and in garrison, these troopers proved effective, cheerful, loyal, and often courageous, and Corporal Ross's heroism was one acknowledged example of their bravery and devotion to duty. The 9th and 10th Cavalry served from 1867 to 1943, and troops from these regiments were stationed at Fort Bliss and at Forts Quitman, Davis, Stanton, and Selden from 1867 to 1891. Their role in winning the West was long overlooked, but they helped settle the frontier, defended the United States at home and abroad, and were said to have been called Buffalo Soldiers by their Indian adversaries out of respect for their courage and fighting prowess. Their service continued beyond the frontier wars as they distinguished themselves on Cuba's San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt and with Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing in the Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1916, including a battle at Carrizal, Chihuahua, Mexico. They fought rustlers, Indians, and badmen, and also strung telegraph wires, built roads, dug wells, and constructed and filled wayside water tanks.

Fort Bliss, Texas · United States