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The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The 9th and 10th Cavalry - Feb. 21st, 2003
http://www.ritesofpassage.org/mil_10cav.htm ^

Posted on 02/21/2003 5:34:44 AM PST by SAMWolf

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

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The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

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In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.



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Buffalo Soldiers


The 10th Cavalry



The 10th Cavalry was formed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1866. Very high standards of recruitment were set by the regimental commander and Civil War hero Benjamin Grierson. As a result, recruitment and organization of the unit required slightly over one year. By the end of July 1867 eight companies of enlisted men had been recruited from the Departments of Missouri, Arkansas, and the Platte.

Life at Leavenworth was not pleasant for the 10th. The Fort's commander, who was admittedly opposed to African- Americans serving in the regular army, made life as difficult as he could on the new troopers. Grierson sought to have his regiment transferred, and subsequently received orders moving the regiment to Fort Riley, Kansas later that summer. Within two months of the transfer, the final four companies were in place.

For the next eight years, the 10th was stationed at numerous forts throughout Kansas and Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). They provided guards for workers of the Kansas and Pacific Railroad, strung miles of new telegraph lines, and to a large extent built Fort Sill. Throughout this period, they were constantly patrolling the 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.



In 1875, the 10th Cavalry moved its headquarters to Fort Concho in west Texas. Other companies were assigned to various forts throughout the area. The regiment's mission in Texas was to protect mail and travel routes, control Indian movements, provide protection from Mexican revolutionaries and outlaws, and to gain a knowledge of the areas terrain. The regiment proved highly successful in completing their mission. The 10th scouted 34,420 miles of uncharted terrain, opened more than 300 miles of new roads, and laid over 200 miles of telegraph lines. The scouting activities took the troops through some of the harshest and most desolate terrain in the nation. These excursions allowed the preparation of excellent maps detailing scarce water holes, mountain passes, and grazing areas that would later allow for settlement of the area. These feats were accomplished while having to be constantly on the alert for hit-and-run raids from the Apaches. The stay in west Texas produced tough soldiers, who became accustomed to surviving in an area that offered few comforts and no luxuries.

The 10th Cavalry played an important role in the 1879-80 campaign against Chief Victorio and his renegade band of Apaches. Victorio and his followers escaped from their New Mexico reservation and wreaked havoc throughout the southwest on their way to Mexico. Col. Grierson and the 10th attempted to prevent Victorio's return to the U.S., and particularly his reaching New Mexico where he could cause additional problems with the Apaches still on the reservations. Grierson, realizing the importance of water in the harsh region, decided the best way to intercept Victorio was to take control of potential water holes along his route.



The campaign called for the biggest military concentration ever assembled in the Trans-Pecos area. Six troops of the 10th Cavalry were assigned to patrol the area from the Van Horn Mountains west to the Quitman Mountains, and north to the Sierra Diablo and Delaware Mountains. Encounters with the Indians usually resulted in skirmishes, however the 10th engaged in major confrontations at Tinaja de las Palmas (a water hole south of Sierra Blanca) and at Rattlesnake Springs (north of Van Horn). These two engagements halted Victorio and forced him to retreat to Mexico. Although Victorio and his band were not captured, the campaign conducted by the 10th was successful in preventing them from reaching New Mexico. The 10th's efforts at containment exhausted the Apaches. Soon after they crossed the border, Victorio and many of his warriors were killed by Mexican troops on October 14, 1880.

The Vittorio episode formed a key part of the TV drama Buffalo Soldiers. We have to tell you that the final scene where Danny Glover deliberately allowed Vittorio and his band to escape to Mexico is not a historical fact. The 10th Cavalry would never let an adversary get away.



In 1885, the regiment was transferred to the Department of Arizona. Once again the 10th was involved in the arduous pursuit of renegade Apaches under the leadership of Geronimo, Mangus, and the Apache Kid.

After twenty years of service in some of the most undesirable posts in the southwest, the regiment, now under the command of Colonel John K. Mizner, was transferred to the Department of Dakota in 1891. The regiment served at various posts in Montana and Dakotas until 1898.



During the Spanish-American the four regiments served in Cuba and fought along side Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders" and other units. While Teddy Roosevelt and his highly political volunteers got more press attention, the 10th Cavalry commanded by Col. John J. Pershing was instrumental in taking San Juan Hill. Many white officers refused to command black units thinking it would hurt their careers. Col. Pershing was given the nickname "Black Jack" because of his loyalty to the 10th and its troopers. It could hardly have hurt his career since he went on to command the American Expeditionary Forces in France in WWI and became the most famous American general of the first half of this century.

In 1916 Black Jack Pershing was given the assignment of leading a campaign into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa. Pershing requested that the 10th Cavalry accompany him. The year spent chasing Villa proved to be the 10th Cavalry's toughest assignment. Finding Pancho Villa was like trying to catch a rat in a cornfield. Villa always seemed to stay ahead of the Army and avoid capture.



America's leaders soon lost interest in the Campaign and focused their attention on World War I which was raging in Europe. However the Europeans had been unable to find a use for the Cavalry troops which were already in the theater. The 10th Cavalry spent the war in the United States.

In World War II a similar thing happened to the cavalrymen. The 10th Cavalry was relegated to caretaker duties at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Then in 1944 the 9th and 10th Cavalry were deactivated.

But in 1958 the Ninth and Tenth Regiments were reactivated, and today, the First and Second Tank Battalions of the Tenth Cavalry at Fort Knox, Kentucky wear the Buffalo symbol. The Ninth Cavalry has a helicopter battalion in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

NOTE: These units made up of black enlisted personnel and white officers were not the first of such units to serve on the Western Frontier. During late 1865 or early 1866 companies from the 57th United States Colored Infantry Regiment (Arkansas) and the 125th United States Colored Infantry Regiment (Kentucky) were assigned to posts in New Mexico to provide protection for white settlers in the area, and escort those going further west. Some of the companies served as mounted infantry.



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: 10cavalry; 9thcavalry; buffalosoldiers; freeperfoxhole; indianwars; spanishamericanwar; veterans
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To: SpookBrat
I ask that you cover Todd and his young wife with your fervent prayers.

Consider it done, Spooky! Be sure to tell him how proud we all are of him. God speed and a Safe return.

101 posted on 02/21/2003 8:03:10 PM PST by The Real Deal
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To: AntiJen
Later Jen!
102 posted on 02/21/2003 8:05:25 PM PST by The Real Deal
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To: uncitizen
Almost as astronomical as Scott Peterson being innocent.....

I for one don't care if I don't hear anything about that case until they find her, or arrest him. I've heard enough. I don't say this to offend you uncitizen, it's just me!

103 posted on 02/21/2003 8:09:52 PM PST by The Real Deal
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To: SAMWolf; AntiJen
Don't forget to watch the Ron Maxwell movie, "Gods and Generals" I saw it last night.

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=25616
http://www.godsandgenerals.com
http://www.ronmaxwell.com
104 posted on 02/21/2003 9:58:22 PM PST by Coleus (RU 486 Kills Babies)
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To: The Real Deal
You can be sure he did it for the wrong reasons. He didn't do it because Lt. Flipper deserved it, he did it for political gain.
105 posted on 02/22/2003 12:41:56 AM PST by SAMWolf (To look into the eyes of the wolf is to see your soul)
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To: Coleus
Just came back from seeing it. It's good, but I think Gettysburg is the better of the two movies.
106 posted on 02/22/2003 12:44:18 AM PST by SAMWolf (To look into the eyes of the wolf is to see your soul)
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To: AntiJen
bTTT!!!!!!
107 posted on 02/22/2003 3:05:12 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: The Real Deal
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. We are very proud of our nephew but can't help but feel a little afraid. I worry about his safety.
108 posted on 02/22/2003 4:52:54 AM PST by SpookBrat
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To: AntiJen
bump
109 posted on 02/22/2003 6:26:52 AM PST by TheRedSoxWinThePennant
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To: AntiJen
may i remind all of you that the COMMANDING GENERAL of both the 9th & 10th CAV, as well as the 1st USV cavalry, in Cuba was none other than MG "Fighting Joe" Wheeler, late of the CSA cavalry. MG Wheeler was a sitting congressman at the time.

FRee dixie,sw

110 posted on 02/22/2003 8:17:50 AM PST by stand watie (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God. : Thomas Jefferson 1774)
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To: AntiJen
Remove...thanks for your work
111 posted on 02/22/2003 8:41:08 AM PST by q_an_a
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To: q_an_a
Removed from ping list. Thanks for your note.
112 posted on 02/22/2003 9:53:26 AM PST by Jen (The FReeper Foxhole - I can dig it!!!)
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To: AntiJen
"REMOVE"
113 posted on 02/25/2003 11:43:16 PM PST by Walnut
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To: Walnut
Removed from Foxhole ping list.
114 posted on 02/26/2003 6:19:46 AM PST by Jen (The FReeper Foxhole - Can you dig it?)
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To: Warrior Nurse
Here an axiom and please tell me if I am right on this.

I'm not who you addressed these questions too,but "No,you are WRONG".

These people are a bunch of commie-pinko American hating SOB's.

Really? I'm oppossed to Ali Bubba Bush's political war,and I am a infantry combat vet of the VN war. Gen Norman Schwartzkopfh is also another one oppossed to this war. Does this mean that in your eyes people like us are "a bunch of commie-pinko American hating SOB's."?

When they protest the war they are also protesting those that have to prosecute the war.

HorseHillary! If you can't tell the difference between the soliders who follow their orders,and their political masters who give the orders,you need a reality check.

115 posted on 02/26/2003 6:58:46 AM PST by sneakypete
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To: sneakypete
Sheakypete, When you look at the organizers of these protest marches Affirmed Marxist and communist groups are doing all the organizing. Plus where was the outrage when Cigar Clinton was bombing the Sudan, and Iraq as well as Kosovo? Where was the "we need to consult the UN crowd?"

No you are not a commie pinko SOB. I am speaking of the hypocrites that didn't Protest Clinton but are now protesting Bush. I think the Gen was speaking as a man who has fought in a war before. He has also recently came out in support of Bush as well. I know the reality of the civilians that are in charge of the military. I sure as hell didn't agree with a lot of the policy the came out of the Clintoon administration. You served and you have the right to protest not just because of the 1st Amendment but also the fact that you served in the military.

The protesters are also now calling us baby killers like they did in Vietnam. What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your service.

Warrior Nurse
116 posted on 02/26/2003 11:31:36 AM PST by Warrior Nurse (I can think of no greater honor than to serve in the Armed Forces of America.)
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To: Warrior Nurse
Sheakypete, When you look at the organizers of these protest marches Affirmed Marxist and communist groups are doing all the organizing. Plus where was the outrage when Cigar Clinton was bombing the Sudan, and Iraq as well as Kosovo? Where was the "we need to consult the UN crowd?"

They were missing and quiet. Their hyprocisy at work then doesn't mean they are wrong now,though. Only that their sincerity is a mile wide and a inch deep.

I can't speak for those people. I can only speak for me. *I* WAS and AM outraged over all those things,and was raising plenty of hell about them when Bubba-1 was president. So were many of the people here on FR who suddenly see nothing wrong with this type of thing now that a alleged Republican is in the White House.

No you are not a commie pinko SOB.

Thank you. Having the ability to see and understand that things aren't always black and white is becoming rarer and rarer around here.

I am speaking of the hypocrites that didn't Protest Clinton but are now protesting Bush.

Those people bother me not at all. I never expected anything better from them. The ones who make ME mad are the ones who are supposed to be conservatives who suddenly fell in love with federal power and political wars once Bubba-2 was sworn into office. And make no mistake about it,Bubba-2 is every bit the statist and "One-Worlder" Bubba-1 was.

I think the Gen was speaking as a man who has fought in a war before.

So am I and many others. In fact,Swartzkoph stated on tv that the majority of the combat officers he knew in the Pentagram were against this war.

He has also recently came out in support of Bush as well.

NOT true! I saw and heard the interview on Meet The Press. What he said was "now that the war is inevitable,I support it." He is supporting the soldiers and other military members who will end up doing the fighting and the dying,NOT Bubba-2 and the other politicians who are starting it. He is suppporting Bubba-2 by default,since he is the man in the White House. In other words,he is supporting the office,not neccessarily the man in it.

You served and you have the right to protest not just because of the 1st Amendment but also the fact that you served in the military.

Every American citizen has the right to protest any thing they want to protest,any time they want to protest it. You and I might or might not agree with the goals of the protestors,but I think we both agree they have this right.

I do see and understand your point,though. Taken to it's highest level,one would naturally pay more attention to Schwartzkoph's thinking on this that you would somebody who had never worn a uniform or heard a shot being fired.

The protesters are also now calling us baby killers like they did in Vietnam. What are your thoughts?

I don't like it,but the truth is that this is even truer now than it was in VN. Bombs are indiscriminate weapons. They kill anybody in their burst radius,and there were no doubt hundreds (maybe thousands) of babies killed in Bosnia and Kosovo by our bombs. Look at all the people killed when the bridge was bombed. The US military and political leadership (?) KNEW that bridge was crowded with civilians because it had been on all the European tv news broadcasts,and even mentioned in some US papers. In MY opinion,the pilot who dropped those bombs as well as the entire chain of command going all the way up to the White House who were responsible for those orders being issued deserves to be arrested for war crimes. That pilot had the option to refuse to follow a illegal order,and chose to save his career instead of his soul. And "Yes,a order to purposely attack and kill civilians is a illegal order.". That bridge was of no stragetic or military value,and there were no military personell or positions on it.

117 posted on 02/26/2003 12:38:59 PM PST by sneakypete (Music is magic you can hear.)
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To: sneakypete
"Those people bother me not at all. I never expected anything better from them. The ones who make ME mad are the ones who are supposed to be conservatives who suddenly fell in love with federal power and political wars once Bubba-2 was sworn into office. And make no mistake about it,Bubba-2 is every bit the statist and "One-Worlder" Bubba-1 was."


Pete there are clearly some points that you and I are going to disagree on this is one of them. Many people seem to be forgeting about what happened on 9/11/01. I am not because I got yanked from my job to go and serve on the ship I am on now. I don't care about that it is what I signed up for. Calling Bush a one worlder is not right. Fighting to liberate an opressed people from a brutal dictator with ties to OBL is the right thing to do. Rememeber he said if you harbor a terrorist you are a terrorist. I don't think the President is a statist, now you and I should be able to agree that we live in a country that is like living no where on earth. You have seen the world Pete. You have slogged in the Mud and swamps over in Viet Nam. I was trained by officers that fought in the war when I was an Officer in the Marines back in 1984 at TBS in Quantico. I had and still have much respect for you men. My dad fought in the cold and heat of the Korean War.

Now we may not like the people in DC but they are there for a reason. If the politicans truly wanted to end the pending war all they have to do is cut the funding for it.

Thanks for the debate.

One question Saddam had WMD's what if he gave them to Alqueda to use should we not stop them and the same goes for Nukes or dirty bombs as well?
118 posted on 02/26/2003 1:33:58 PM PST by Warrior Nurse (I can think of no greater honor than to serve in the Armed Forces of America.)
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To: Warrior Nurse
Many people seem to be forgeting about what happened on 9/11/01. I am not because I got yanked from my job to go and serve on the ship I am on now.

NO,what people seem to have forgotten is that Hussein and Iraq had NOTHING to do with what happened on 9-11

Calling Bush a one worlder is not right.

No,it's merely accurate. That worthless old SOB he calls "poppy" was a one-worlder,too.

Fighting to liberate an opressed people from a brutal dictator with ties to OBL is the right thing to do.

Really? Which is it? Are we going to be fighting Iraq to free them from a brutal dictator (which is something they need to do for themselves),or are we going to be fighting them to punish them for the attack on the US on 9-11 by Saudi Arabian citizens?

Rememeber he said if you harbor a terrorist you are a terrorist.

Then Ali Bubba Bush is himself a terrorist,because he gave safe harbor to the bin Laden family so they could escape from Boston ON 9-11. Every other aircraft in the country was grounded,except for the charter flight to take the bin Laden family out of Boston. The same Boston were Saudi Arabian terrorists had been living,and where they boarded the airliner they hijaced on 9-11.

I don't think the President is a statist,

Then you surely haven't been paying any attention to what he has been doing.

One question Saddam had WMD's what if he gave them to Alqueda to use should we not stop them and the same goes for Nukes or dirty bombs as well?

Number 1,there is no evidence he has nukes or dirty bombs,and number 2 is that Al Queda is as likely to use them against Hussein and Iraq as they are the US. Maybe even more likely because the Iraquis are "unpure Muslims".

119 posted on 02/26/2003 2:42:36 PM PST by sneakypete (Music is magic you can hear.)
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To: sneakypete
I can see we are on different sides of the coin. Did you vote for Bush?

"Then Ali Bubba Bush is himself a terrorist,because he gave safe harbor to the bin Laden family so they could escape from Boston ON 9-11. Every other aircraft in the country was grounded,except for the charter flight to take the bin Laden family out of Boston. The same Boston were Saudi Arabian terrorists had been living,and where they boarded the airliner they hijaced on 9-11."

I rally can't comment on that because I have no knowledge that it happened they way you said it did. OBL is the leader of Al-Qeada and he is the one that has taken credit for Somolia, The Kobar towers, the embassies in Africa and is the head of the Taliban. In Iraq there is a place called Salman Pak where the 9/11 hijackers trained in a mockup of an aircraft to prior to exceution of their plans.

Were you just as opposed to the Clinton adminstration?

What if everythng that Bush is saying is true and you are wrong?

Where do you get your intelligence on Iraq and the Middle East?

120 posted on 02/27/2003 3:40:11 AM PST by Warrior Nurse (I can think of no greater honor than to serve in the Armed Forces of America.)
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