Most of the Buffalo Soldiers were former slaves and Civil War veterans, trying to better themselves and become accepted into American society. These were tragic days when there was an ironic clash of cultures. Anglo Americans had recruited the help of recently freed Black slaves in a war against the Native Americans. The Apache faced conflict not only with these two entities, but Mexican troops as well, once they crossed the Rio Grande River. Success was ultimately assured when Apache Scouts were hired by the Army. It is sadly worth mentioning that after the Geronimo Campaign in Arizona, these same scouts were decommissioned and imprisoned by the Army.