Buffalo Soldier Memorial Monument

Following the American Civil War where around 300,000 African-Americans served in the Union Army, their future for serving in the United States Army was in question. In July of 1866, Congress passed legislation forming two cavalry and four infantry regiments composed on African-Americans. The 9th and 10th Cavalries served in the southwestern and western territories of American conducting operations against Native-American tribes. This is when they earned the nickname "Buffalo Soldiers" from their Indian adversaries. Eventually, the Buffalo Soldiers saw service in actions against Mexican revolutionists, outlaws and rustlers while constructing frontier outposts, roads and telegraph lines. In 1898, they saw service in Cuba during the brief Spanish-American War including participating in the famous "Charge Up San Juan Hill" alongside Teddy Roosevelt. One of the four units returned briefly to New York before being sent to Huntsville, Alabama. The Buffalo Soldiers were moved to the site where this monument was placed, known as 10th Cavalry Hill.