Black Kos, Week In Review - Buffalo Soldiers in the Spanish-American War

History of Buffalo Soldiers in the Spanish-American War

BY DOPPER0189, BLACK KOS MANAGING EDITOR

On February 15th, 1898, over 250 American sailors were killed when the battleship Maine blew up and sank in Havana harbor. The war with Spain began in April, 1898 when Major General William Shafter, a former commander of the 24th Infantry led an expeditionary force of over 17,000 men, including nearly 3,000 Black regulars, into Cuba. 

Although the Spanish American War was ostensibly fought to liberate Caribbean and Philippine islanders from Spanish oppression, the participation of African American troops was very controversial in the African American community.

In order to prepare for the invasion of Cuba, the Buffalo Soldiers were posted to the southeastern United States for the first time in their history.

Recruitment started near Tampa, Florida, where overt racial discrimination was the norm. Local white citizens refused "to make any distinction between the colored troops and the colored civilians" and tolerated no infractions of local discriminatory laws and racial customs. Despite this prejudice, the troops of the 9th and 10th Cavalry, and the 24th and 25th Infantry served with distinction on the battlefields of Las Guasimas, El Caney, and San Juan Hill. 

The terrain and climate were challenging. Troops had to deal with heat, rainstorms, mud and yellow fever. When there was an outbreak of yellow fever in the army camps, Black 24th Infantry soldiers served as nurses and hospital orderlies for the stricken Caucasian troops, ordered to do so because of the stereotype that Blacks were physically better able to deal with tropical heat conditions. 

Some troops and many citizens openly questioned whether African Americans should fight for the U.S. government that recognized them as citizens in name only. Despite emancipation nearly 40-year before, Blacks routinely were deprived of their rights by federal and state laws. Institutional discrimination was reinforced by savage murder and terror of African Americans primarily in the South.

Articles in the Black press during the war showed a diversity of opinion in the African American community.

Editorials Against Fighting

"If the Government Wants Our Services,
Let Us Demand Protection at Home"

If the government wants our support and services, let us demand and get a guarantee for our safety and protection at home....When we are guaranteed freedom and equality before the law, as other American citizens, then we will have the right, as such, to take up arms in defense of our country.

-- The Indianapolis Freeman, March 18, 1898
Part of a quote from a Hartford Connecticut dispatch

"No Officers, No Fight!"

There is no American citizen upon this continent who possesses any more patriotism than what we do. But if we had the power we would not permit one Negro battalion or company or regiment to assist in helping to fight against Spain unless they are officered from top to bottom by members of our own race.

-- Salt Lake City Broad Ax, July 2, 1898
The Army did not want Black officers during the war, creating a major contention with the African American community

Editorials For Fighting

"What if War Comes"

Of all citizens the Afro-American has a mighty interest at stake.... [since our] fondest and most cherished hopes for liberty and happiness are all centered in the institutions of our country....let us be ready and willing to do....even more than others in the hour of the nation's peril. Thus shall be reaffirmed our claims to equal liberty and protection.

-- Cleveland Gazette, March 5, 1898

The wisdom of it is questioned. However, all loyal citizens must do their duty.

-- Richmond Planet, April 30, 1898; just after war was declared

Source: George P. Marks, III, The Black Press Views American Imperialism (1898-1900), Arno Press and the New York Times, New York, 1971

In four months of fighting the Spanish under very adverse conditions, the Buffalo Soldiers were described as "most gallant and soldierly." 

During marine one landing at Tayabacoa, Cuba, 10th Cavalry Privates William H. Thompkins, Fitz Lee, Dennis Bell, and George Wanton voluntarily went ashore in the face of enemy fire to rescue wounded U.S. and Cuban comrades. After several failed attempts, they succeeded. Each were awarded the Medal of Honor. A career soldier, Thompkins was eventually buried at the Presidio's San Francisco National Cemetery, along with another 450 Black veterans of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry.

Called the most integrated battle force of the 19th century, the troops of the 24th Infantry and the 9th and 10th Cavalry fought up the slope of San Juan Hill along with White regular army regiments and the 1st Volunteer Cavalry (the Rough Riders) led by Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Twenty-six Buffalo Soldiers died that day, and several men were officially recognized for their bravery. Quarter Master Sergeant Edward L. Baker, Jr., 10th Cavalry emerged from the battle wounded by shrapnel, but was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

After the Battle of San Juan Hill, Rough Rider Frank Knox said, "I never saw braver men anywhere." Lieutenant John J. Pershing wrote, "They fought their way into the hearts of the American people." 

Theodore Roosevelt commented "… no one can tell whether it was the Rough Riders or the men of the 9th who came forward with the greater courage to offer their lives in the service of their country."  Despite this praise, incredibly Colonel Roosevelt later wrote: "Negro troops were shirkers in their duties and would only go as far as they were led by white officers."

Tenth Cavalry Trooper, Presley Holliday wrote in response, "His (Roosevelt's) statement was uncalled for and uncharitable, and considering the moral and physical effect the advance of the 10th Cavalry had in weakening the forces opposed to the Colonel's regiment, both at Las Guasima and San Juan Hill, altogether ungrateful and has done us an immeasurable lot of harm…not every troop or company of colored soldiers who took part in the assaults was led or urged forward by a white officer." 

Sources disagree on how the nickname "Buffalo Soldiers" began. According to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, the name originated with the Cheyenne warriors in the winter of 1877, the actual Cheyenne translation being "Wild Buffalo." However, writer Walter Hill documented the account of Colonel Benjamin Grierson, who founded the 10th Cavalry regiment, recalling an 1871 campaign against Comanches. Hill attributed the origin of the name to the Comanche due to Grierson's assertions. The Apache used the same term ("We called them 'buffalo soldiers,' because they had curly, kinky hair ... like bisons") a claim supported by other sources. Some sources assert that the nickname was given out of respect for the fierce fighting ability of the 10th Cavalry. Still other sources point to a combination of both legends. The term Buffalo Soldiers became a generic term for all black soldiers. It is now used for U.S. Army units that trace their direct lineage back to the 9th and 10th Cavalry units whose service earned them an honored place in U.S. history.

In September 1867, Private John Randall of Troop G of the 10th Cavalry Regiment was assigned to escort two civilians on a hunting trip. The hunters suddenly became the hunted when a band of 70 Cheyenne warriors swept down on them. The two civilians quickly fell in the initial attack and Randall's horse was shot out from beneath him. Randall managed to scramble to safety behind a washout under the railroad tracks, where he fended off the attack with only his pistol and 17 rounds of ammunition until help from the nearby camp arrived. The Cheyenne beat a hasty retreat, leaving behind 13 fallen warriors. Private Randall suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder and 11 lance wounds but recovered. The Cheyenne quickly spread word of this new type of soldier, "who had fought like a cornered buffalo; who like a buffalo had suffered wound after wound, yet had not died; and who like a buffalo had a thick and shaggy mane of hair.":)

Many African Americans felt the deeds of the soldiers in the battles of Cuba, and later in the Philippines would perhaps lead to "a new era for the Negro race" in obtaining equal rights and privilege as Americans. They honored the soldiers' valor and service to the United States with books, pictures, orations, poems and editorials. One newspaper editor stated the general feeling of African Americans, "we are proud of our colored troops, the heroes of the day." 

Obviously despite the bravery of the Buffalo soldiers there was no improvement in the life of African Americans of the US. This debate fits the repeated pattern of black soldiers fighting in wars like the American Revolution and the Civil War, hoping it would lead to greater civil rights without any results. Even after the Spanish American war, debates raged on whether it was better for African Americans to show patriotism by fighting for American in hopes it would to more inclusion (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, etc) or whether to oppose involvement until full equality was reached. The push and pull of being part of system to advocate for change, or to resist the system in protest to enact change continues to be the central debate in black politics to this day.

Megan Thee Stallion is being honored as an “extraordinary advocate” by Planned Parenthood of Greater New York.

The Houston native was chosen because her “music and performances have shined a light on women’s empowerment, mental health and social justice.”

The statement continues, “An outspoken advocate for women’s rights and Planned Parenthood, Megan has used her global platform to draw attention to the organization’s mission and work. She also launched The Pete and Thomas Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on uplifting and assisting women, children, senior citizens, and underserved communities in Houston, Texas and across the world.

Megan will receive Planned Parenthood’s Catalyst for Change Award during their annual Spring Into Action gala in New York City. Actress Patricia Arquette is also one of the honorees.

In addition to her rap skills, the Houston native has become a fierce mental and physical health advocate. Her contributions include launching the Pete and Thomas Foundation, a nonprofit that supports and uplifts women, children, senior citizens and underprivileged communities worldwide.

Megan, who has become many women’s “body goals,” announced in December that she would be teaming up with Planet Fitness on a campaign encouraging people kick-starting their fitness journey to let go of intimidating staff and expensive memberships. The “Body” rapper and the fitness company created a line of co-branded exclusive merchandise labeled the “Thee Judgement Free” collection, with proceeds going to the Pete and Thomas Foundation.

“For decades, Detroit’s homeowners saw their family wealth evaporate as home values declined,” Mayor Mike Duggan said Tuesday at a news conference announcing the study’s findings. “Now, those who stayed, most notably Black homeowners, have gained nearly $3 billion in new generational wealth because of our city’s neighborhoods comeback.”

Nestlé SA in August shuttered production of Nesquik chocolate milk powder in South Africa, citing falling demand. A year ago, Unilever Plc pulled the plug on the manufacturing of home-care and skin-cleansing products in Nigeria to “sustain profitability.” And pharma giants Bayer AG and GSK Plc have outsourced distribution of their products to independent companies in Kenya and Nigeria.

Drawn by rapid growth, youthful populations and increasing wealth,legions of top multinationals rushed into Africa in recent decades. But lately,the difficulties of doing business there—cratering currencies, over weening bureaucracies, unreliable power and congested ports—have dimmed the allure. “It doesn’t justify the effort,” says Kuseni Dlamini, a former chairman of Walmart Inc.’s African unit who now heads the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa. “This should be a wake-up call to African authorities.If you do not have a conducive environment to grow and scale businesses, you will be left by the wayside.”

The City Council considered relatively minor proposals. One set of bills would require administrators to collect better data on migrants in city services. Another effort, a resolution, called on the federal government to eliminate or to reimburse immigration application fees.

City Council members are asking for better data because they believe, with some evidence acknowledged by city officials, that Black migrants are more often turned away from shelters, denied access to help in their native languages, and less able to find accommodations for religious practices than others.

City officials say African migrants are more likely to arrive to the city without children, meaning they’re often less of a priority for limited shelter space. Under a recent legal settlement, the city can evict adult migrants after 30 days in a shelter and 60 days for those under age 23, before forcing them to reapply for another spot. It’s unclear how often those migrants end up sleeping on the street or in a subway car.