African Americans have served in the United States Army since the Revolutionary War. They were segregated in all black units until the Korean War.  In 1866, Congress approved legislation creating six all African-American Army Regiments: the 2nd Cavalry, 9th and 10^th; and the 4th Infantry, 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st.

These units represented the first African-American professional soldiers in a peace-time Army.  Some were former slaves; others had served in the Union Army during the Civil War.  Another reorganization of the Army a short time later led to the merger of the four infantry regiments into two units: the 24th and 25th Infantry.

It's believed the nickname "Buffalo Soldiers" was given to the 10th Cavalry by Cheyenne warriors out of respect for their fierce fighting in 1867.  In time, all African-American Soldiers became known as "Buffalo Soldiers." Despite second-class treatment these soldiers made up first-rate regiments of the highest caliber and had the lowest desertion rate in the Army. 

From the late 1800's to early 1900's, the 9^th and 10^th Cavalry Regiments were assigned to the harshest and most desolate posts. They were sent to subdue Mexican Revolutionaries, Outlaws, Comancheros, Rustlers, and hostile Native Americans.  They explored and mapped the Southwest, strung telegraph lines, rode escort for Wagon Trains and mail shipments, and established frontier outposts around which future towns and cities grew. All four units fought in the Indian Wars of the American West and were, in part, responsible for the defeat of Geronimo, the Apache leader Victorio, William “Billy the Kid” Bonner, and Mexican bandit Francisco “Pancho” Villa.