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Biography / History

The goal of the Buffalo Soldiers Community Memorial Committee is to “educate the community on a somewhat unknown piece of Western history and have it be the first such memorial in the state of Colorado and to provide a positive historical image of the Negro soldiers’ role in Western history.”

Congress established the Buffalo Soldiers in 1866. Legislation was adopted to create six all African American Army units: The 9th and 10th Calvary and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry regiments. In 1868, the four infantry units were reorganized as the 24th and 25th infantry. The Buffalo Soldiers served in Arizona, Colorado, North and South Dakota, Kansas, Northern Mexico, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Along with serving on the battlefields, the Buffalo Soldiers helped map the West, pursued outlaws, built or renovated posts and camps, served as the first U.S. Border Patrol, and delivered mail, among many other activities.

Historic Colorado events Buffalo Soldiers participated in include the Meeker Massacre, Beecher’s Island, White River, and Big Sandy Creek. Cathay Williams, the only documented female Buffalo Soldier, made her home in Colorado.

On July 28, 2016, a public ceremony was held at the Stargazers Theater and Event Center and a monument unveiling was held at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs. The monument, which is located in the northeast corner of the park, features the names of 23 Buffalo Soldier Medal of Honor recipients, images of the infantry crests, names of the committee members, and a historical snapshot.

2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Sources:

Power Point, “Buffalo Soldier Community Memorial Project,” Willie Breazell, February 14, 2014, Buffalo Soldiers Community Memorial Records, MSS 0466.

Chhun Sun, “Park monument honors Buffalo Soldiers,” The Gazette, July 29, 2016

Scope and Content

The Buffalo Soldiers Community Memorial Records range from 2014-2016 and consist of three series: Organizational Records, Photographs, and Media.

The Organizational Records consist of three subseries: Planning Binder, Business Documents, and Recognitions. The Planning Binder dates from April 2014 to August 2016 and includes correspondence, ideas for the memorial, histories, and meeting agendas. The Business Documents includes a list of committee members, blank donation forms, research material, and a drawing and description of the memorial. The Recognitions subseries ranges from July 2014-July 2016 and includes resolutions, commendations, and a proclamation.

The Photographs are color photocopies and include a photograph of the Buffalo Soldiers Community Memorial committee members, as well as several photographs of the memorial.

A USB flash drive with 9.58 GB of material makes up the Media series. Material on the flash drive includes photographs, video, Power Points, and business documents.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public.

Use/Re-use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection.

Administrative Information

Buffalo Soldiers Community Memorial Records, 2014-2016. MSS 0466. Special Collections, Pikes Peak Library District.

This collection was donated by Willie H. Breazell and Dennis Moore from the Buffalo Soldier Community Memorial Committee in August 2016.

Archivist's Notes: Heather Jordan processed this collection in October 2016.

Related Material

Frank N. Schubert, On the Trail of the Buffalo Soldier: Biographies of African Americans in the U.S. Army, 1866-1917, 355.0092 O58

Frank N. Schubert, Voices of the Buffalo Soldier: Records, Reports, and Recollections of Military Life and Service in the West, 355.008996 V889

Bruce A. Glasrud, Buffalo Soldiers in the West: A Black Soldiers Anthology, 973.8 B929

Phillip Thomas Tucker, Cathy Williams: From Slave to Buffalo Soldier, 973.81092 W722T

Index Terms

African American soldiers - West (U.S.)

Computer Files

United States Army - African American Troops

Series I 
Organizational Records 

A 
Planning Binder 

B 
Business Documents 

C 
Recognitions 

Series II 
Photographs 

Series III 
Media