F Company, 24th Infantry, at Fort Bayard, New Mexico, 1892 (Original Image Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration), Image courtesy of The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association
The sound of horses galloping, kids laughing, and a Blues band playing fills the air at Detroit’s Rouge Park, where a vibrant crowd gathers each year to honor the proud legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers. In front of a pictorial display at the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association, 83-year-old First Sgt. James Mills is a living guardian of this history, as the association president reflecting on a legacy that began when African Americans first served in the U.S. military during the colonial era.
But it was the formation of the Buffalo Soldiers, former slaves, freemen, and Black Civil War veterans that marked a historic shift. After Congress passed landmark legislation in 1866, they became the first to serve in the U.S. Army during peacetime.
As Sgt. Mills speaks, acres of the park come alive with the echoes of stories that span generations, a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of the all-Black regiments whose legacy continues to inspire.
“What we have here is not a museum, but a display of things that we partake in over the years,” Sgt. Mills said.
“We’ve been here 22 years.”
The Detroit Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the Buffalo Soldiers’ legacy and history while also promoting their values and contributions to American society. The association educates the public about the critical role these soldiers played in shaping the United States.
The association organizes educational programs, community events, and historical reenactments to highlight the bravery and sacrifices of the Buffalo Soldiers. They also engage in outreach efforts aimed at fostering an understanding of African American military history and its impact on civil rights. Their activities often include honoring veterans, mentoring youth, and collaborating with other historical and cultural organizations to ensure the story of the Buffalo Soldiers is well known and respected.
For the past two years, in partnership with the Detroit Parks Coalition, the Friends of Rouge Park has hosted a celebration highlighting the history and contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers at Rouge Park. This festival serves as an important educational platform, bringing awareness of the Buffalo Soldiers’ significant role in American history. Through live performances from Blues band Big Pete and Friends, art displays, and informative presentations, the festival honors the legacy of these historic figures while fostering a deeper appreciation for their impact on our nation.
Lex Allen, Program Manager for Friends at Rouge Park, highlights how Detroiters have a slice of history in their own backyards.
“We have our own set of Buffalo Soldiers here in Detroit. So it’s super important for the community to be able to have connections to Black history, and in the form of, Black soldiers, being able to make contributions to this country. Also, to give people just a different perspective of the type of history that’s rooted in Detroit,”
“A lot of times when you think of Detroit, you don’t really think about horses, you don’t think about cowboys, but we have them here, and they’ve been here for a while now. So it’s, good to be able to have things like this, to open people’s eyes as to, what’s possible, and what we have access to.
The name “Buffalo Soldiers” originated in 1867, bestowed by Cheyenne warriors impressed by the tenacity and strength of the 10th Cavalry in battle. This term, meaning respect, soon came to represent all Black regiments in the U.S. Army.
The Buffalo Soldiers accepted their name and fought in notable wars, including the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman’s executive order resulted in the military desegregation, reflecting the bravery and contributions of these pioneering soldiers.
Congress formally established the Buffalo Soldiers in 1866, creating six all-Black regiments: the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments. As America expanded westward, the Buffalo Soldiers played a critical role in ensuring the safety of settlers, protecting cattle, and supporting the construction of infrastructure. Their duties included guarding railroad crews, escorting mail carriers, and establishing telegraph lines across the unforgiving Western frontier. They also fought in over 125 battles with Native American tribes, upholding the same orders and enduring the same harsh conditions as their white counterparts.
“All Black soldiers, white officers, the discrimination was still there, their primary job after the war, the white soldiers wanted to go back home, so that left a void. Police forced the Europeans to go west,” Sgt. Mills said.
“And at that time, they had been going west for years, but it just had reached the height where the Native Americans’ land was being taken away from them, and they had been put on reservations. So they revolted.”
Historically, The Buffalo Soldiers included not only men; Cathy Williams made history as the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. military by disguising herself as a man named William Cathy. After two years, the military discovered her secret and attempted to erase her service records.
“She joined in 1867 reversed the name and went in as William Cathy, so history wise, when she joined in 1867 she became the first Black female in the military, it took them two years to figure out that she was a female, at which time they tried to erase any information in regards to her,” Sgt. Mills said.
Buffalo Soldiers are remembered for their military achievements, perseverance, and courage in the face of systemic discrimination. They paved the way for future generations of Black service members, helping to shape a more inclusive and diverse military. On Veterans Day, reflecting on their service is a reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who served and the unique challenges faced by Black soldiers throughout American history.
Memorials and museums across the United States continue to honor the Buffalo Soldiers with statues, educational programs, and dedications that keep their history alive. Their story is a testament to the resilience and dedication of the many veterans who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. military.
The Buffalo Soldiers were also instrumental in protecting some of America’s earliest national parks. Between 1899 and 1904, around 500 soldiers from these regiments made arduous 200-mile marches to Yosemite and Sequoia from their base in Monterey, California, safeguarding these natural treasures.
Today, the story of the Buffalo Soldiers lives on as a symbol of resilience and patriotism. In Detroit, the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association honors this legacy every day. What was once an abandoned police station now stands as a proud memorial that preserves and celebrates the heroism of these American trailblazers.
The Buffalo Soldiers’ legacy of bravery, sacrifice, and dedication remains a powerful chapter in U.S. history, inspiring future generations to remember their significant contributions to the nation’s past.
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