Voices of the Buffalo Soldier: Records, Reports, and Recollections of Military Life and Service in the West (review)

After publishing several narrative histories of the African-American regiments that operated in the West in the second half of the nineteenth century, Frank N. Schubert has collected for publication a number of documents in which the Buffalo Soldiers "speak" for themselves. Although drawn from a variety of sources (personal recollections, military reports, court and pension records, newspaper accounts, and magazine articles), this collection sketches life on the western frontier as seen through the eyes of the Buffalo Soldiers. In his introduction, the author expresses his intention that the documents "will add to an understanding of who the Buffalo Soldiers were, what they did, how they lived, and what sources are available for the study of their lives" (p. 1).

The book covers the entire spectrum of the army experience of the Buffalo Soldiers: the organization of the black regiments, Indian battles and skirmishes, service in remote border towns, discrimination and prejudice (both inflicted upon, as well as practiced by black enlisted men towards Indians and Hispanics), and the interaction with people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. A recurring theme is the peculiar position and contradictory status of black servicemen. They were willing to serve their country, but did not enjoy the same rights as other Americans. They were stationed in the West to protect frontier settlements, but frequently suffered scorn and abuse from those they were defending. They entered the service to gain the respect of the nation, but, in the process, helped to abrogate the rights of the Indian tribes they fought. Many of the documents collected here reveal these tensions.

The first-hand accounts that tell of the tensions between the black regulars and Anglo-American communities on the frontier are particularly fascinating. Although in the main they showed remarkable self-restraint, African-American soldiers would not hesitate to defend their lives, property, and honor, when threatened or provoked by violent mobs. Equally fascinating are the personal histories of Cathay Williams, Henry O. Flipper, and Emmanuel Stance. William Cathay served for two years in the 38th Infantry, during which time not even the army physician discovered that he was, in fact, a woman. Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper was the first African American to graduate from West Point. Flipper spent years combating prejudice and discrimination before the high command discharged him in 1880 for forging financial accounts. Sergeant Emmanuel Stance received a Medal of Honor for bravery in 1870, but was murdered by one of his own men thirteen years later because of his cruel treatment of the men in his company. There are numerous other stories like these (letters to loved ones back home, reminiscences of daily routine, even poetry), all skillfully introduced by Schubert.

Although military historians will certainly appreciate this book, it will also appeal to a wider audience in search of authentic western experiences. It is a welcome addition to the standard works on the Buffalo Soldiers by William Leckie as well as by Frank Schubert himself.