Exhibit Chronicles Buffalo Soldiers
Submitted by N.O.V.A. July 2005
Times Picayune 	10-1-1998


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To honor the Buffalo Soldiers - African-Americans who served in the Army after the
Civil War - Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in October will
hold an exhibit that will chronicle the regiment.

"The Buffalo Soldiers, the 9th and 10th Cavalry" will be a visual exhibit
showcasing information about the historic soldiers, National Park Ranger Wanda Lee
Dickey said. There will be maps and pictures, borrowed from a Fort Leavenworth,
Kan., exhibit, that illustrate the courageous strides of these soldiers.

Although African-Americans fought in America's wars as far back as the Revolution,
with more than 175,000 serving in the Union Army in the Civil War, the federal
government didn't create an Army regiment for them until 1866. These segregated
groups were not disbanded until President Harry Truman ordered the military
integrated after World War II.

On July 28, 1866, Congress approved the creation of six all-black regiments, the
9th and 10th cavalries and the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st infantries. For the first
time, African-American men could enlist and serve in the regular Army of the
United States. Hundreds of soldiers who formed the original cavalry groups, the
9th and 10th, were recruited in New Orleans at Camp Greenville, Dickey said. These
units were transferred out West to patrol the Mexican border and control the
American Indians on the western plains, Dickey said

"Buffalo Soldiers" was a nickname bestowed on these soldiers in 1867 by Native
Americans who were struck by their bravery and their coloring, Dickey said. Both
the 9th and 10th accepted the title with pride, which is reflected in the
regimental crest of the 10th Cavalry, which features a buffalo, she said.

There are an undetermined number of soldiers buried in the Chalmette National
Cemetery, Dickey said. However, she said the soldiers buried in Chalmette died of
diseases before the troops were sent West.

The exhibit will run from Oct. 1-19 at the Chalmette National Battlefield, 8606 W.
St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette.