Buffalo Soldiers are Welcomed – Twice!

9th US Cavalry Bugler - Buffalo Soldiers

After the Civil War, the US Congress passed legislation which established several regiments of black Soldiers to reorganize the US Army. The first units which were established originally consisted of six regiments – four infantry – the 38th and 41st and the  39th and 40th which were ultimately consolidated and re-designated as the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments respectively.  The reorganization also provided for two Cavalry Regiments  - the 9th and 10th Cavalry.  When spoken about today, the Cavalry Regiments are always highlighted as “The Buffalo Soldiers.”

 It would be the 1890s before Fort Myer saw its first Buffalo Soldiers.  General Guy Vernor Henry, a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient would bring a squadron of the 9th Cavalry to Fort Myer in 1891.   The troopers would stay on post until 1894 and then rotate out to their next duty assignment.

It would be 1930 before the Buffalo Soldiers would once again return to Fort Myer.  This time it would be the Machine Gun Troop of the 10th Cavalry – Squadron K that would be stationed on Post until 1949.    Troopers in this squadron would also be tasked to participate in many ceremonial duties including parades.

The stables, where the horses of these Troopers were kept, are still standing on Fort Myer and located on what was then called “Lower Post” – they no longer contain any horses, but are a reminder of the contributions of these men who helped settle the West during the Indian Wars and extended the United States to the western shores.

You can read more about the Buffalo Soldiers and Fort Myer in the book  “Images of America – Fort Myer” – an autographed copy is available.

Remount Depot – Fort Reno, Oklahoma

Fort Reno was built in July 1875, named for Major General Jesse L. Reno who was killed during the Civil War.  The US Army Post was home to the Buffalo Soldiers of the  the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25 Infantry  - regiments who were stationed at the Post.   

After the Congressional authorization to establish the US Army’s Remount Service in 1909, it became a re-mount depot for the US Army until 1949.  One of the last Quartermaster horses that came from Fort Reno’s remount depot was the famed “Blackjack” – the caparisioned horse that appeared in many final honors at Arlington National Cemetery including President John F. Kennedy’s.   Blackjack was one of the horses among those that the Old Guard – 3d Infantry Regiment of the US Army had among its “herd” to conduct ceremonial missions within the Washington DC area.   In the book “Images of America – Fort Myer”  there are photos of these ceremonies among the over 200 historical photographs from the 1860s until the 1960s.

Two Months and Counting

The availability date JUNE 13, 2011, is quickly approaching for  the book – “Images of America – Fort Myer”  Virginia.  The reaction from those who have previewed the book and the over 200 historic images within has been very gratifying and complimentary.

From a noted historian:  “You’ve done yeoman work here in both research and composition”
From a previous member of  The Old Guard: “Outstanding work, it really goes back in time to tell the story of a significant US Army Post.”
From a retired US Army Colonel: “Where did you ever find that note from Abraham Lincoln to General Totten?  It’s priceless!”

Within the book there are presented many different influences that shaped and molded Fort Myer.  With origins during the US Civil War as Fort Whipple – one of the 70 fortifications which protected Washington DC – this US Army Post has contributed much to the United States through the efforts of :

• US Army Signal Corps
• US Army Cavalry
• US Army Field Artillery
• US Army – Women’s Army Corps
• US Army Band – “Pershing’s Own”
• US Army 3d Infantry Regiment – “The Old Guard”

From inception of military aviation, national weather service, implementation of communications, standardization of affordable transportation and… Fort Myer is a gem among military installations and the book “Images of America – Fort Myer” provides a history spanning the first 100 years.

Arlington Reads – Images of America – Fort Myer

Title: Arlington Reads – Images of America – Fort Myer Virginia
Location: Arlington Central Library – Arlington VA
Description: John Michael will discuss his new book about this unique US Army Post which has its origins in the US Civil War -

The book is from Arcadia Publishing and provides a comprehensive view in historical photographs from the 1860s to 1960s.

1015 N Quincy Street
Arlington Virginia
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2011-03-24