A Buffalo Soldier exhibit from Fort Larned is on display through the end of July in Schmidt Gallery at the Hays Public Library.
According to the For Larned web site, “After the Civil War, Congress authorized the creation of two all-black cavalry units: the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiments. These units became popularly known as the Buffalo Soldiers. The 9th and 10th Cavalry were the first African-American professional soldiers in the country’s peacetime army. Buffalo Soldiers’ honorable service exceeded other regiments in the contemporary army in combat effectiveness, soldiery, and loyalty. Buffalo Soldier regiments had lower rates of desertion and alcoholism than traditional army units.
Sent out west in 1867, the 9th and 10th Cavalries quickly proved to be capable and courageous additions to the nation’s frontier military force, earning them the nickname “Buffalo Soldiers.” The source of the nickname is unknown, but it is possible that American Indians gave them the name for one or both of two reasons: the way the black men’s hair resembled the hair of a bison and because of their bison-like toughness in combat. The 9th and 10th were on the front lines of a land erupting in war, and yet where racial tensions still allowed the army to fight against itself.
Of the several companies that made up the 10th Cavalry, Company A served at Fort Larned from 1867 to 1869. Here, they faced resentment, jealousy, and bigotry brought about by the white infantry soldiers also stationed at Fort Larned. Even though separate companies usually kept to themselves, they did work alongside one another. It is not difficult to imagine the jealousy and resentment a company of infantry might feel on a long day’s march in the hot Kansas sun to be passed by the cavalry effortlessly striding by on their horses. The color of the 10th Cavalry’s skin added another level of resentment made possible by racism.
On January 2, 1869, the 10th Cavalry’s stables at Fort Larned burned, destroying huge stores of hay and grain, saddles, ammunition, and killing 39 horses. The cause of the fire was never identified, though the possibility exists it was intentional. If the fire was arson perpetrated by a jealous infantryman, no one took responsibility for the act. Nor was anyone punished. Instead of launching a full investigation, the post commander instead sent the 10th Cavalry to Fort Zarah to avoid further trouble. The 10th was the last cavalry unit to be stationed at Fort Larned before the fort was abandoned in 1878.”
