Information and Pictures sent by Bernard Stewart <[email protected]>
This photograph shows what was probably a staged charge by the 10th Cavalry. The "Charge" as a military tactic was not often used in the West. As a matter of fact, most Cavalry troopers left their sabers in their barracks. The swords rattled and simply created noise that could give away a troopers position. http://www.BUFFALOSOLDIERS.COM/ 
A, Company 25th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops The years following
the War between the States were for the most part an expanding time for our
nation, & the Ebony Sword was once again unsheathed, & moved Westward!!
Many of the USCT volunteers had signed 3 year service contracts, that did
not end with the cessation of the war. These USCT regiments were formed into
the 25th Corps, & were moved to the Department of Texas in 1865. Most
of these soldiers continued to serve in Texas, until their regiments were
disenrolled in mid to late 1867. At the same time, two new regiments were
formed in order to provide protection for the settlers in the untamed territories,
the 9th & 10th Cavalry Regiments. These two regiments, along with several
lesser known Infantry Regiments, would go on to perform stellar service for
many years in the Western territories, & would bring popular acclaim
to the term "Buffalo Soldiers". As the 19th century neared it's close, our
nation was thrown into perhaps it first real "foreign" war, & the Ebony
Sword was called on once again. The conflict with Spain fought in Cuba, &
the Phillipines, caused the activation of 10 Regiments of Regular Infantry
(USCT), & 6 Regiments of State Militia. Though the great majority of
these Black soldiers did not see any combat, 2 of the regiments particularly
distinguished themselves. The 10th cavalry Regiment won great notariety,
for it's combat alongside the "Rough Riders", during the battles of San Juan,
& Kettle Hills. The 24th Regiment USCT saw heavy fighting in the Phillipine's,
& was highly commended, receiving several distinguished unit citations
before they were returned to the states. For the next few years, the Ebony
Sword was not sheathed, but Black soldiers & sailors spent their time
ensuring that the United States remained a world power.
------------------------------------------------------------------ 25th Regiment Infantry Organized at New Iberia, La., November
21, 1863. Attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Corps de Afrique, Dept.
of the Gulf, to March, 1864. District of La Fourche to April, 1864.
SERVICE.--Duty at New Iberia and in District of La Fourche until January, 1864. Moved to Franklin, La., January 5 and duty there until March 21. Moved to Brashear City and duty there until April. Designation of Regiment changed to 93rd United States Colored Troops April 4, 1864. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Indian Wars. Buffalo Soldiers. 1866-1890. Use
of black soldiers was widespread in the west and numerous engagements demonstrated
the valor and toughness of the African American fighters. Colonel Grierson
insisted to his superiors that the identifyng term "Colored" - as originally
prefixed before the title of the regiment - be dropped. He said it was demeaning
and unnecessary, and ultimately, he prevailed. Two all-black cavalry regiments
saw considerable use (the 9th and 10th); And two all-black infantry regments
were also much used (the 24th and 25th). Stuck with a thankless job, it fell
to these Black freedmen to garrison forts, quell disturbances, and generally
keep the peace, not infrequently being called to put lives on the line in
the name of the United States government. During these wars in the west,
heroes in black regiments won a total of twenty Medals of Honor. In 1875
one of these was Pompey Factor.
------------------------------------------------------------------- Colonel (and Bvt. Major-General) Mower
was commanding the Department of Louisiana with headquarters at New Orleans;
Lieutenant-Colonel (and Bvt. Brigadier General) Hinks commanded the regiment
with headquarters, Companies D, G and K, at Jackson Barracks, La.; Major
(and Bvt. Lieut.-Col.) Bliss with Companies E, F and I garrisoned Ship Island,
Miss Company A was at Fort Pike La.; Companies B and H at Fort Jackson, La.;
Company C at Fort St. Philip, La. By the end of the year, 532 men had been
discharged by expiration of service alone, and as little recruiting was done,
the effective had fallen to about 500 men, from which it has not since varied
materially.
General Mower died at New Orleans January 6, 1870, and was succeeded by Colonel (and Bvt. Major General) J. J. Reynolds who was placed in command of the Department of Texas the following April, without having joined the regiment. In May, 1870, the regiment was on its way to that department, going by steamer to Indianola, Texas, thence marching to San Antonio. Colonel Bliss with Companies B, C and G arrived at the latter place on June 3 and encamped at San Pedro Springs where they were joined by the rest of the regiment, under General Hinks, on the 9th. The march to stations began June 22d. The main body took the Fort Clark road, while Companies C and H diverged on the road to Fort McKavett. At Rio Frio, Companies E and I marched for Fort Duncan, under Colonel Bliss. July found Headquarters, Companies D and F established at Fort Clark; Company K at Fort Stockton; Companies A and G at Fort Davis; Company B did not reach its distant station, Fort Quitman, until August. http://www.biloxi.org/past.shtml http://www.crt.state.la.us/crt/parks/fortpike/fortpike.htm http://www.civilwaralbum.com/louisiana/fortjackson.htm http://www2.cr.npsgov/abpp/battles/la001.htm This is one of the Troops he is not related
to Webster Family that we know of.
If you have names of other Troop Members please let me know. Wanda Qualls Name: Jeremiah Webster , Enlistment Date: 4 Jan 1864 Side Served: Union State Served: U.S. Colored Troops Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 4 January 1864. Enlisted in Company A, 25th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops on 4 Jan 1864. Promoted to Full Sergeant on 27 Feb 1864. Stationed: The Department of Texas Mustered Out Company A, 25th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops on 6 Dec 1865. Sources: 18 Company A The 25th Regiment Infantry Nov 1863 to April 1864 Organized at New Iberia, La., November 21, 1863. Attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Corps de Afrique, Dept. of the Gulf, to March, 1864. District of La Fourche to April, 1864. From here the regiments were formed into the 25th Corps, and were moved to the Department of Texas in 1865. Most of these soldiers continued to serve in Texas, until their regiments were disinrolled in mid to late 1867. It was the Indians who gave these African American troopers the name Buffalo Soldier. They compared the soldiers hair to that of the Buffalos and their endurance, speed and fighting spirit to that of a bison. The soldiers accepted the name as a term of respect and honor. "Buffalo Soldiers" |