ABSTRACT
Black soldiers proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they could fight with courage and cunning during the Civil War. The Buffalo Soldiers were involved in countless campaigns against the Sioux, Cheyenne, Crow, Comanche, Arapaho, Navajo, and Apache. They were often the first troops called in to put down rebellions on reservations and face the most fearsome Indian warriors, including Geronimo and Crazy Horse. The regimental officers, who were white, later recalled it was not uncommon for black troops to do virtually all the fighting and sustain nearly all the casualties, while white troops received the commendations. The Buffalo Soldiers were also used to police Indian Territory until 1901, protecting ranchers and cattle from Indian attacks and protecting Indians from land-hungry white settlers. Many Buffalo Soldiers enlisted because they believed their service would help advance their race in other areas of American society.
