Black Soldiers of the West, Various Locations

Description

INTERNATIONAL OF THE FILM RELEASE Eli OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS) UNITED STATES of AMERICA WASHINGTON, D.C. - 20301 PLEASE NOTE DATE IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 14, 1974 OXford 7-6161 Number 8-74 Footage: 56' 16mm Color Master Room 2E 773 Time: 1:32 104103 BLACK SOLDIERS OF THE WEST 106269 600166 (Official U.S. Army Film Released by the Department of Defense This is National Black History Week, and Black awareness is very much in the news today -- yet decades of Black military history in the West remain vastly unexplored. Black cavalrymen were called "Buffalo" soldiers, and helped to carve the way West. It was there that the all-Black cavalry regiments first won fame for their valor. You probably never heard of Henry Flipper, but he was the first Black man to graduate from West Point -- the year, 1877. You won't find this in most history books either, but when General Custer rode out of Fort Lincoln in the spring of 1876, he took with him a Black interpreter by the name of Isaiah Dorman. Dorman died with Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. The most famous all-Black regiment, the Ninth U.S Cavalry, was frequently cited for bravery in action. In the Battle of Cuchillo Negra (Koo-kee-ya Nay-gra), three Black volunteers performed a daring rescue of surrounded comrades. In New Mexico, another Black sergeant was awarded the Medal of Honor for a night rescue ride which not only saved the town of Tularosa, but also turned back a fierce band of Mescalaro Apaches. At the Battle of Clay Creek, Corporal William O. Wilson and SIX others were cited for gallantry when their company of 100 men charged over 1,800 Sioux Indians, They not only managed to drive the Indians back, but held the ground until reinforce- ments arrived. In the Battle of Florida Mountains, six Black troopers found themselves surrounded by 50 warring Apaches, and tried to talk the Indians into surrendering; when the talks broke down, the six men attacked and sent all 50 Indians into retreat. - MORE -

Collection

Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

Series

Filmed News Releases