Date: Fri 27-Feb-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDYC

Quick Words:

Soldier

Full Text:

The Buffalo Soldier

w/1 cut

LEXINGTON, MASS. -- The Museum of Our National Heritage will present "The

Buffalo Soldier," a historical documentary on the African-American soldier in

the US Army, through October 12.

African-American soldiers in unprecedented numbers served in the United States

Army on the Western frontier during the late Nineteenth Century. As members of

the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments, they were

the first African Americans in our nation's history to serve in the regular

peacetime army.

Before these regiments were organized, Blacks were allowed to serve in the

army only in wartime. According to legend, the soldiers of the 9th and 10th

Cavalry Regiments were first called "buffalo soldiers" by Native Americans

because their tight, curly hair and their fighting spirit reminded the Indian

of the buffalo. The soldiers accepted the name as a term of respect and honor.

The name is still applied today to US Army units that are linear descendants

of the buffalo soldiers.

In recognition of the African American in the US armed forces who fought and

served with heroism, "The Buffalo Soldier" surveys nearly five decades of

American history. Anthony Powell recalled hearing his grandfather, Samuel N.

Waller (1874-1979), tell the stories of how the Black soldiers of the 9th and

10th Cavalry and 24th Infantry were among the American troops who charged up

San Juan Hill, for which Teddy Roosevelt would get the ultimate acclaim.

Powell's grandfather knew the story well, for he was one of the

African-American soldiers who served in the Spanish American War.

Powell began seeking out his grandfather's friends, who spoke of the pride of

the uniform, the pride of camaraderie, brotherhood and friendship, and

recalled incidents of racism and prejudice. One old soldier, who served for

over 44 years, wrote on the old photograph of the non-commissioned officers of

Troop L in the 9th Cavalry: "It has been fifty-three years since this picture

was taken, yet I remember the names and cherish the memory of these comrades.

They were the pure in heart." Moved by the stories and pictures that reflected

that pride, Powell has dedicated his life to the preservation of that

collective memory.

Most of the photographs are from the personal albums and collections of

Powell's grandfather, 1st Sergeant Waller, an African-American soldier and

photographer who served almost 40 years in the army. The images are reproduced

from the original large formal glass negatives. Several of these photographs

have never before been exhibited, and some are remarkably candid.

Powell's collection is most probably the largest privately held collection

dedicated to the African-American soldier in the country. Also incorporated in

the exhibit will be artifacts and uniforms from Powell's collection and five

etchings by Frederic Remington.

The exhibition will travel to 15 American museums over the next five years.

The Museum of Our National Heritage is at 33 Marrett Road at the corner of

Route 2A and Massachusetts Avenue. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 am to

5 pm, and Sunday, noon to 5 pm. Admission is free.