Buffalo Soldiers - A Proud Tradition Quiz

Answer: It originated with the Iroquois chief Shikellamy

All are possible explanations except chief Shikellamy. He died in 1748, more than a century before the Buffalo Soldiers even existed. Also, the Buffalo Soldiers had no dealings with the Iroquois since they were a Northeastern group of tribes. The Buffalo Soldiers fought against tribes West of the Mississippi.

Answer: False

This is false. Although African-American units, Buffalo Soldiers among them, were originally set up to be commanded by white officers and most officers were white, some African-American officers did serve. Among them were Henry Flipper, the first African-American graduate of West Point, and William McBryar, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor as a Sergeant and later became a Commissioned officer.

Answer: 25th Infantry

The 25th Infantry Regiment was part of the 93rd Infantry Division, serving in the Pacific Theater in WWII. It was deactivated in 1946. During its years on the American frontier it served in Texas, Dakota Territory, Minnesota, and Montana. As of 2010, the 9th Cavalry, 10th Cavalry, and 24th Infantry were still active units in the American Military.

Answer: Iroquois

The Iroquois were a confederation of tribes in the Northeastern United States. The Buffalo Soldiers never had any dealings with them. The other three were all tribes that the Buffalo Soldiers did fight against at one time or another. Others they encountered in what is now Oklahoma, then the Indian Territory, were the Cheyennes, Sioux, Cherokee, Osage, Pawnee, and Choctaw among others.

Answer: Geronimo

The 10th Cavalry fought one of the last battles of the Apache Wars well after the surrender of Geronimo in 1886. On March 7, 1890, elements of the 10th and the 4th Cavalry encountered renegade Apaches north of Globe, Arizona. A man from each unit would win the Congressional Medal of Honor in the fighting. Sgt. William McBryar's (Company K, 10th Cavalry) citation reads: "Distinguished himself for coolness, bravery and marksmanship while his troop was in pursuit of hostile Apache Indians."
(source: www.history.army.mil in the medal of honor section)

Answer: John Pershing

John "Black Jack" Pershing commanded a troop of the 10th Cavalry for over a year in 1895-1896. After this he moved on to West Point. It was at West Point where he earned the nickname. It was given to him by cadets unhappy over his strictness. In 1898 he was once again attached to the 10th Cavalry and was cited for bravery in the charge up San Juan Hill. Throughout his career he was a champion of the African-American soldier. The name that started out derisively became an accolade and term of endearment over the years.
(source: the National Parks Service website)

Answer: Danny Glover

Danny Glover starred in "Buffalo Soldiers" as Sgt. Wyatt. It was set in New Mexico but filmed in Cochise County, Arizona. Both states were states where the Buffalo Soldiers served. The movie depicts Sgt. Wyatt going after an Apache chief, Victorio. Both the 9th and 10th Cavalry were involved in the campaign against Victorio in 1879-1880.

Although a fictionalized account, the setting of the final confrontation at Rattlesnake Springs is historically accurate as the 10th did have a major confrontation with the Apaches there.

Answer: Spanish-American War

The Battle of Tayacoba took place during the Spanish-American War. The battle was an attempt to resupply Cuban rebels fighting against the Spanish. A recon team had been sent ashore and was ambushed by the Spanish. Several attempts were made to rescue the team, all ending in disaster. Finally one last attempt was made by four members of the 10th Cavalry.

It was successful and the recon team was rescued. Dennis Bell, William Thompkins, Fitz Lee, and George Wanton of the 10th were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions.

Their citation reads: "Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts had been frustrated." (source: www.history.army.mil in the medal of honor section)

Answer: Bob Marley

"Buffalo Soldier" was released posthumously in May 1983 on the "Confrontation" album, and became one of Marley's biggest hits. He wrote it because he saw what the Buffalo Soldiers went through as a symbol of black resistance.

Answer: Two Cavalry regiments and Four Infantry regiments

Originally Congress established two Cavalry regiments, the 9th and the 10th, and four Infantry regiments, the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st. In 1869, the 39th and the 40th were reorganized into the 24th Infantry Regiment and the 38th and the 41st were reorganized into the the 25th Infantry Regiment.