How Did Buffalo Soldiers Influence American History

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Soldiers
Buffalo Soldiers began as members of the U.S. 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army. Their nickname was given to them by the Native American tribes they fought in the Indian Wars. The term Buffalo Soldiers, over time, became the name used for all African American soldiers. The buffalo soldiers influenced American history through their service, bravery, and the respect they gained.
In the beginning of the Indian wars, a group of "all-black regiments who fought alongside the white soldiers” (Dollman) fought for their country. Some of the 180,000 African American soldiers who joined were forced to join the army because of slavery but most joined to fight for their country. When they joined they didn't get the most exciting jobs and they weren't always respected. Nix said, "These buffalo soldiers also captured horse and cattle thieves, built roads and protected the U.S. mail, stagecoaches and wagon trains, all while contending with challenging terrain, inadequate supplies and discrimination" (Nix). If it wasn't for the service of these men our roads and mail systems might be completely different from what we know today. …show more content…

The Buffalo soldiers protected the U.S mail, with out them protecting the U.S mail we won't have got any mail from generals from war or soldier letters from friends and family. According to a quote in The Story of the Great American West, Sherman also said, "They [Buffalo Soldiers] are good troops, they make first-rate sentinels, are faithful to their trust, and are as brave as the occasion calls for." In fact, thirteen enlisted men and six officers from the black regiments earned Medals of Honor for their service during the Indian Wars" (Dollman). The battle with Cuba was a hard fought battle, but because of the buffalo soldiers and their bravery to go into battle, they won against the