LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Buffalo Soldiers
built 214 days ago
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.
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These men, the Buffalo Soldiers, were thought to have earned the nickname as a sign of respect from the Plains Indians. They served this country gallantly and honorably, yet virtually invisible to all but their white officers. FromKansas to the Indian territories and Arizona, and from the Canadian border to the Mexican border these heroes of old surveyed, mapped, built forts and roads, guarded rail, stage, telegraph lines. They protected an often unappreciative populace from marauding bandsof hostiles, thieves, bandits and outlaws from both below and above the border.
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Making this year's prestigious list are: * James "Kimo" Williams, a Vietnam Vet-turned-musician whose symphonic piece, Buffalo Soldiers, recently had its Chicago premiere. * Keith Elliott and Harriet Ross, organizers of Dance for Life, an annual AIDS fundraising event that raised $278,000 for HIV/AIDS care and education this year. * Julieanna Richardson, a chronicler of African American histories who created The HistoryMakers, a video archive of interviews with hundreds of black Americans in business, sports, politics, sciences and entertainment. * Rev. Thomas J. Behrens, a Lake View minister who started The Night Ministry, which provides health care, shelter, counseling and other services to street people and at-risk youth. * Maria Pesqueira, CEO and president of Mujeres Latinas en Accion (Latin Women in Action), which is a social service agency in the Pilsen neighborhood that has assisted over 7,000 families in the past 33 years. * Dr. Todd Kuiken, a bioengineering MD from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago who developed through a mix of surgery and technology an artificial arm that could be controlled merely by thinking.
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![[Photo of man in Buffalo Soldier uniform]](http://retrieverimages.lycos.com/images/b/u/f/buffalo-soldiers/i/001.jpg)
The Buffalo Soldiers had endless problems finding presentable uniforms, functional weapons, food and other supplies. Perhaps the greatest indignity forced upon them were the pitiful, crippled discarded Civil War horses that they were assigned. In addition, food provided to the Buffalo Soldiers was often spoiled, thrown from moving trains and damaged to the point that its was no longer fit to eat.
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More than any other movie in recent memory, the film Buffalo Soldiers (based on the Robert O'Connor novel of the same title) suffered from poor timing. The film was scheduled to be released in 2001 and, in fact, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival just days before the tragedy of 9/11. Shelved for several months, the film was again postponed in 2002 when military activity began to escalate in the Middle East. Finally, in late 2003, the film received a limited theatrical run. Now, with the recent release of the film on DVD, a wider audience has the opportunity to see what all the studio hand wringing was about.
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In July of 1909, seven hundred and fifty 10th cavalry “Buffalo Soldiers” marched into Vermont for their assignment at Fort Ethan Allen, Colchester, Vermont. Prior to their arrival, they had been stationed in various other locations such as Cuba, Kansas, and the Philippines, all warmer climates. Their first fall and winter in Vermont found them ill equipped for the weather as they were still wearing summer issue clothing. Sgt. George Osborne said he “like to froze to death.” Capt. Edward Glass, the regiment's historian, reported “The first winter in Ethan Allen was a long, hard grind, with guard tours walked in blizzards, full pack inspection in weather that caused much comment from our men, who had just come from the neighborhood of the Equator.”
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Buffalo Soldiers