Nearly sixteen months after the end of the Civil War, Section 3 of the Act of Congress entitled "An Act to increase and fix the Military Peace Establishment of the United States" authorized the formation of the two regiments of cavalry composed of "colored" men. The Act was approved on 28 July 1866. On September 21, 1866, the 9th Cavalry Regiment was activated at Greenville, Louisiana and the 10th Cavalry Regiment was activated at Fort Leavenworth, Kans

The 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments conducted campaigns against American Indian tribes on a western frontier that extended from Montana in the Northwest to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in the Southwest. They engaged in several skirmishes against such great Indian Chiefs as Victorio, Geronimo, and Nan. "Buffalo Soldiers" was the name given the black cavalrymen by the plains Indians. Reason for the name is uncertain. One view is that the Indians saw a resemblance between the black man's hair and the mane of the buffalo. Another view is that when a buffalo was wounded or cornered, it fought ferociously, displaying unusual stamina and courage. This was the same fighting spirit Indians saw in combat with black cavalrymen. Since Indians held the buffalo in such high regard, it was felt that the name was not given in contempt.

Yet, the men of the black regiments, often finding themselves in the forefront of action, never shirked their responsibilities. For more than twenty-five years the

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