Buffalo Soldiers: The Formation of the Twenty-Fourth Infantry Regiment: October 1866-June 1871
Abstract
This study documents the Twenty-fourth Infantry Regiment from its formation on March 15, 1869, through its first deployment from Fort McKavett, Texas, on November 1, 1869. This study's focus is on the policies which led to the formation, the assignment of personnel, and the initial campaigns of the eight individual companies of the 24th Regiment. The Twenty-fourth Infantry Regiment was formed by the Reorganization Act of 1869, which consolidated four black infantry regiments into two units, the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Infantry Regiments. The initial four black regiments, the Thirty-eighth, Thirty- ninth, Fortieth and Forty-first, served through out the south and the west during the reconstruction period. Moreover, these units served as an important test-bed for black soldier's in the United States Army. In addition to a detailed chronology of events, this study addresses the social and military implications of their formation. The performance of the Twenty-fourth Infantry regiment provided a springboard for successful integration of black soldier into the regular Army. The history of the black infantry regiments during Reconstruction and their exceptional service in the building of the west, clearly demonstrated their desire and ability to serve despite the lack of full citizenry. Military history, Frontier army, Black Soldiers, Reconstruction, Buffalo Soldiers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 04, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA272926
Entities
People
- William E. Gorham
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College