By: Graeylin
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These are pics of a Buffalo Soldier, circa 1899. He's a member of the 24th infantry, which had a distinctive battle dress with the sky blue facings on the collar tabs, pockets and cuffs.
He is outfitted with a mix of items, including an 1899 Krag-Jorgensen rifle. His Mills belt is blue, and he wears an 1899 drab campaign hat. After most of the Indian Wars ended in the 1890s, the regiments continued to serve and participated in the 1898 Spanish American War, including the Battle of San Juan Hill, where five Medals of Honor were earned. The regiments also took part in the Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1903. Another little-known contribution of the Buffalo Soldiers involved eight troops of the 9th Cavalry Regiment and one company of the 24th Infantry Regiment who served in California's Sierra Nevada as some of the first national park rangers. In 1899, Buffalo Soldiers from Company H, 24th Infantry Regiment briefly served in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park and General Grant (Kings Canyon) National Parks. Beginning in 1899, and continuing in 1903 and 1904, African-American regiments served during the summer months in the second and third oldest national parks in the United States (Sequoia and Yosemite). Because these soldiers served before the National Park Service was created (1916), they were "park rangers" before the term was coined. |
| A very very sharp project here old friend, I really love this guy. Thanks for the history too, I didn't know about that park ranger thing. Special thanks for sending him in and sharing him with all of us. - GL |
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