The Buffalo Soldiers were called into service to "carry out U.S. Government public policy of Westward expansion," as well as escort tribes to designated reservations. The Soldiers built and defended telegraph lines, built and repaired forts and helped establish the foundation of future towns. The 10th provided guards for workers of the Kansas and Pacific Railroad, built roads, mapped & charted territory in the west, escorted wagon trains, and protected towns from outlaws and Indian raids. Throughout this period, they were patrolling the Indian reservations in an attempt to prevent Indian raids into Texas. In 1867 and 68, the 10th participated in Gen. Sherman's winter campaigns against the Cheyennes, Arapahos, and Comanches. Units of the 10th prevented the Cheyenne from fleeing to the northwest, thus allowing Custer and the 7th Cavalry to defeat them at the decisive battle near Fort Cobb, Indian Territory.
DUTIES- Control hostile forces
- Escort wagon trains and stagecoaches
- Build forts and roads
- Install telegraph lines
- Guard
- Water holes
- Railroad construction workers
- Horses and cattle
- Protect and escort
- Settlers
- Travelers (Photo above: Buffalo Soldiers Guarding Concord Type Stagecoach 1869, National Archives)
- Immigrants
- Workers
- Farmers
- Miners
- Cattlemen
- Map areas of uncharted country
Presence of the Buffalo Soldiers and other military units on the Western Frontier discouraged lawlessness among hostile forces and conflicts between unruly white settlers.
