Heroes or Villains?
The Buffalo Soldiers were African-American regiments of the U.S. Army established after the Civil War, primarily serving in the western frontier during the late 19th century. While they are often celebrated for their military service and contributions to American history, their role in the westward expansion of the United States also involved actions that contributed to the displacement and subjugation of Indigenous Amerindian peoples, thereby exterminating their way of life.
Although the Buffalo soldiers have been celebrated as heroes, and held up as examples of “Black” excellence, dignity, and resourcefulness, even in the face of the White racism and discrimination which was prevalent at the time, to many groups of indigenous American people, the Buffalo soldiers were not heroes, they were the messengers of doom, sent to destroy their natural way of life.
Bob Marley and the Buffalo Soldiers
In 1978 Legendary Reggae music artist Bob Marley wrote and performed a song titled “Buffalo Soldiers.” The song was about the life and struggle of a soldier taken from Africa and forced to fight for his freedom. The song begins with the lyrics,
“Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
There was a Buffalo Soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.”
When Buffalo Soldiers was released in 1983 it quickly became one of Marley’s most popular songs. Surprisingly, Dick Gregory, who was a well known American comedian, actor, writer, activist and social critic, once told a story about how he turned down a $60,000 payday, and refused to perform with Marley at an event because he didn’t like the Buffalo soldiers song. Gregory felt that Marley’s song praising the Buffalo Soldiers was repugnant, and that it highlighted Marley’s ignorance of history.
While in front of a large audience Gregory told the story. “Bob Marley wanted me to be his opening act at Harvard University. Said, ‘I’ll pay you $60,000.’ I said “I don’t want to work with you.” Gregory went on to say of Marley “One of the nicest, kindest spirits on this planet. I found out how kind he was because he made more in one month back then, than I’d make in 6 months. He got on a plane and flew to Boston to ask me why, not with an attitude.” I said, “Because you had nerve enough to glorify the Buffalo Soldiers. When these crackers (sic) sent them West to kill off the buffalo to starve the Indians to death. Bob said, “But, I didn’t know.” I said, “My mother don’t know it, but she’s not a genius like you.”
Dick Gregory’s problem with the Buffalo soldiers stems from the fact that the Buffalo soldiers were used as instruments of U.S. colonial expansion and Native American subjugation. Gregory knew a fact that by the 80’s many so-called “Black/African-American” people had forgotten. That the so-called “Native Americans” that the Buffalo soldiers were sent to murder and subdue were free indigenous Amerindians with dark, and copper-colored skin tones, just like the Buffalo soldiers. Those men were sent to fight against their own people in the name of Colonialism, Capitalism, Religion and Government.
Facts About the Buffalo Soldiers
The Buffalo Soldiers were tasked with various duties, including protecting settlers, building infrastructure, and maintaining order in the western territories. However, they were also involved in enforcing federal policies that targeted Native American communities, such as:
- Military Campaigns: The Buffalo Soldiers participated in campaigns against Indigenous tribes, including the Apache, Comanche, and Sioux, as part of the U.S. government’s efforts to force these groups onto reservations. These military actions often disrupted traditional ways of life, leading to loss of land, resources, and autonomy.
- Escorting Settlers and Railroads: By protecting settlers, stagecoaches, and railroad crews, the Buffalo Soldiers facilitated the westward expansion that encroached on Indigenous lands. The construction of railroads, in particular, disrupted bison herds, which were central to the livelihoods and cultures of many Plains tribes.
- Enforcing Reservations: The Buffalo Soldiers were involved in patrolling and securing reservation boundaries, preventing Indigenous peoples from leaving these confined areas to hunt, gather, or practice their traditional lifestyles. This enforcement contributed to the erosion of cultural practices and self-sufficiency.
- Suppressing Resistance: The Buffalo Soldiers were sometimes called upon to suppress Indigenous uprisings and resistance movements, such as the Red River War (1874–1875) and conflicts with the Apache leader Geronimo. These actions further destabilized Indigenous communities and their ability to maintain their traditions.
Pawns of U.S. Government
While the Buffalo Soldiers’ actions were carried out under the broader context of U.S. government policies and the era’s racial dynamics, their involvement in these efforts contributed to the systemic displacement and cultural disruption of Native American tribes. It is important to recognize this complex history, as it highlights the intersection of African American and Indigenous experiences during a tumultuous period in American history.
Background of the Buffalo Soldiers
- Formation: The Buffalo Soldiers were established by Congress in 1866 as part of the Army Reorganization Act, which created six all-Black regiments (later consolidated to four: the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry).
- Name Origin: The term “Buffalo Soldiers” is said to have been given to them by Native Americans, possibly due to their dark, curly hair resembling a buffalo’s fur or their fierce fighting spirit.
Role in Warfare Against Native Americans
The Buffalo Soldiers were deployed extensively in the American West, where they participated in the U.S. government’s efforts to subdue Native American (indigenous) tribes, enforce federal policies, and protect settlers, railroads, and infrastructure. Their involvement included:
1. Patrol and Escort Duties
- Protected settlers, stagecoaches, and wagon trains traveling through the frontier.
- Guarded the construction of railroads, which were often targets of Native American resistance.
2. Military Campaigns
- Participated in numerous campaigns against Native American tribes, including the Apache Wars, Comanche Wars, and Sioux Wars.
- Fought in key battles, such as the Red River War (1874-1875) against the Comanche and Kiowa, and the Pine Ridge Campaign (1890-1891) during the Wounded Knee Massacre.
3. Enforcement of Federal Policies
- Enforced the U.S. government’s reservation system, which confined Native Americans to designated areas.
- Prevented Native Americans from leaving reservations or resisting federal authority.
4. Skirmishes and Raids
- Engaged in small-scale skirmishes and raids against Native American groups resisting U.S. expansion.
- Pursued leaders like Geronimo (Apache) and Victorio (Apache) during the Apache Wars.
Impact on Native Americans
- The Buffalo Soldiers were instrumental in the U.S. government’s efforts to displace and subjugate Native American tribes.
- Their actions contributed to the loss of Native American lands, the destruction of traditional ways of life, and the enforcement of oppressive federal policies.
- The conflicts often resulted in significant casualties and suffering for Native American communities.
Complex Legacy
- The Buffalo Soldiers’ role in these campaigns is a complex and controversial part of their history. While they were celebrated for their military discipline and bravery, they were also used as instruments of U.S. expansion and Native American subjugation.
- Many Buffalo Soldiers faced racial discrimination within the U.S. Army and society, yet they served with distinction and earned respect for their skills and resilience.
Key Campaigns and Events
- Red River War (1874-1875):
- Buffalo Soldiers played a key role in defeating the Comanche, Kiowa, and Southern Cheyenne, forcing them onto reservations.
- Apache Wars (1870s-1880s):
- Fought against Apache leaders like Geronimo and Victorio, who resisted U.S. control.
- Pine Ridge Campaign (1890-1891):
- Participated in the events leading up to the Wounded Knee Massacre, where hundreds of Lakota Sioux were killed.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Soldiers were a significant force in the U.S. Army’s campaigns against Native Americans during the late 19th century. While their service is often celebrated for its professionalism and courage, their role in the displacement and subjugation of Native American tribes remains a contentious aspect of their legacy.
From the perspective of foreign colonists and settlers the Buffalo soldiers may as well have been sent from heaven. From the perspective of indigenous Amerindians, those people who refused to be assimilated into Western civilization, the Buffalo soldiers represented their mortal enemies.
What Do You Think?
Should the legacy of the Buffalo soldiers be celebrated? If your answer is yes, ask yourself why? If your answer is no, why do you think so?
What facts are you focusing on to substantiate your argument?
The Buffalo Soldiers were considered as heroes by some, and as villains by others. Which perspective of the Buffalo soldiers do you think is more valid? The view of the colonialist, settler attempting to create a new life in the so-called “New World,” or is the view of the Indigenous People who where being exterminated and pushed off their ancestral lands by the invading colonial powers?
