The Life and Times of the Buffalo Soldiers

By Joey L. Bowser Sr.

To be told you are unable to do something is a misconception. To spend your whole life trying to prove something is unfortunate. Mid-1800s. What we have here is a woman, a mother with children, thrust into a life-changing situation that is now out of her control. American law is viewed or looked upon like it has never been before. Buffalo Soldiers serving their country, stamping their mark on American soil, and earning respect from those who had opposed them-all these, strangers to one another, come together in this story. They will love, fight, and disagree, but in the end, they will make history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781643505299

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The Life and Times of the Buffalo Soldiers

Joey L. Bowser Sr.

Copyright © 2018 Joey L. Bowser Sr.

All rights reserved

First Edition

Page Publishing, Inc

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018

ISBN 978-1-64350-528-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64350-529-9 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Introduction

As it may seem, I have written this book, not to proclaim to be somewhat of an astounding writer or a writer whose name is determined by prefixes, which somehow preludes his or her name.

There is no doubt in my mind I would love to be of that caliber. But unfortunately, this is my first book, so there is no prefix.

However, if there is such a thing as passion, well then, I’m there. Like many of you, we all have a passion for one thing or another.

Stories I have read, movies I have seen, many with facts that have been documented, identified, and recorded. I am one man’s passion, and my story is through my eyes: The Life and Times of the Buffalo Soldiers.

I think we all can agree they were real, they were active, and they were soldiers—soldiers that had to defy all kinds of odds. I found it fitting to write this story.

To be among great writers, I can only wish. I’m not there yet. Compassion and love for something other than myself, now that I can do. I hope you will read and enjoy this book. Who’s to say that what I am writing about did not actually happen? After all, they were law enforcement, sworn to uphold the law in the mid-1800s. Thank you for your time.

Chapter One

Life and Times of the Buffalo Soldiers

The year of our Lord 1875, the day May 17—this day was different right from the start. An exciting change was about to embark all across America. Many folks would welcome the new beginning, while others would oppose. As the sun began to rise all over Louisville, Kentucky, it was a bright, crisp, and glistening morning that everyone seemed to notice.

It was an almost-perfect day for what was about to take place—introducing the start of the newly found Kentucky Derby.

People from all over began to flock to this new sporting event. The rich, the poor, the gamblers, the risk takers, those who hated change, along with those who protested against it. Nevertheless, it was going forward, just about ten years after the death of President Abraham Lincoln.

The Civil War had taken its toll on the North and the South. The draw-down was eminent, but not without heartache.

Some whites were still trying to revive the Confederacy, never accepting President Lincoln’s law to abolish slavery. Blacks were beginning to rebel against the South. Many were threatened; many died for the cause while fighting back. Some whites had earned and gained respect from many of the Negroes. They aided and helped them, putting their own lives at risk. They knew and came to terms that slavery was wrong and no human being should be treated as such.

The Union Army had to go on high alert, not just for the South, but for all over the nation. There were Indian uprisings out in the Midwest. Railroads needed support while people were laying rails.

Bandits and robbers were making their presence known through banks and stagecoaches. Court-appointed Texas Rangers, with all their prejudices, were shorthanded. The Union Army, in their order to maintain peace, could not draft or enlist recruits or train fast enough.

A military meeting was held with all the top-ranked soldiers and government officials to formulate a plan to maintain order in our nation, but at what cost?

Meanwhile, back at the Kentucky Derby, the anxiously cheering and roaring crowd sitting there in the bleachers began to show excitement of the passing of these fine-looking animals—true thoroughbreds from many different places, capturing their hearts. They had a look of astonishment, not focusing on the thirteen, out of fifteen, jockeys that were Negroes.

They did not realize it at that time, but this, too, was groundbreaking news. Just about that time, a wealthy slave owner entered the stadium. No doubt, in anyone’s mind, what this man believed and stood for. He paused, and with his racist and bigotry demeanor, he yelled out, When are those niggers going to get off those fine animals and bring the jockeys out and get this race started? Obviously, this man surely must be a slave owner from the South. He made his way to his seat.

Sitting one row behind, a gentleman from the North, known for his wealth and gambling pleasures, immediately responded, Sir, it is quite obvious that you lack knowledge of jockeys and thoroughbreds. Fat men like you normally bet with their heart and not with their head. Now, you, sir, in all your dealing with Negroes, you literally hate them, obviously for no apparent reason. Help me, sir, to understand something. Why do you own so many?

That’s none of your business. You some kind of nigger lover?

The gentleman from the North smiled, then snarled, Sir, I have a proposition for you, if you are interested. I will wage five thousand dollars to your one thousand dollars that the first three that cross the finish line will be black.

The fat man responded, Can’t refuse that, now can I? Be the easiest five thousand I ever made. I may even buy you, since you love them niggers so much.

Now in the distance, the horn blower sounded his horn. This sound was to be a signal that all jockeys should now be mounted on their horses, and they made their way to their respected stall. Once in, the gate behind each horse latched close. In an intense moment, the next sound would be a gunshot, followed by the opening of the front gate. Then came the famous words that have found their place in history: And they’re off! The first ever Kentucky Derby was now underway. There were fifteen fine, well-groomed thoroughbreds, a cross between Arabian stallions and European mares. There were also some pretty good-looking locals.

The gates opened, and all horses came out of their stall. Immediately a cloud of dust began to form over that well-designed dirt track. The horses almost instantly went into a full gallop. The cloud of dust made it difficult to see their position. Going into turn 1, most of the horses were still pretty bunched up, but the crowd was roaring with excitement. As they were approaching turn 2, the dust was beginning to settle. You can now read the numbers on the jockeys. Coming out of turn 2, faster horses were now separating themselves from slower horses. Excitement was all over the stadium. People were standing to their feet, people from all walks of life cheering together for one first-time event, witnessing something that may go on for years to come.

Turn 3 was fast approaching. Everyone that had placed a bet was now focusing on their betting card, matching their bets with their horses. Turn 4 came, also a clear view of the home stretch. It was now obvious that this race had come down to about five horses.

Tightly packed, approaching the finish line, the leader, a jockey named Oliver Lewis, riding a thoroughbred named Aristides, went on to win the first ever Kentucky Derby. He was a Negro. In fact, the first five who crossed the finish line were all Negroes.

The gentleman from the North smiled then looked over his shoulder at the slave owner from the South. Pay him, replied the slave owner. I hope I never see you again. Some advice for you, stay out of the South.

Chapter Two

Call to Arms

The year 1875 was now entering the fall of the year; winter was right around the corner. The Cheyenne and the Sioux Nation had started an uprising in the Black Hills because of the settlers invading their territory, looking for gold.

Aid to those settlers will not be an easy task, since they are the ones that are in violation. The Seventh Cavalry right now would be our best interest. This plan was discussed only by politicians, and they knew that without the joint chiefs and the military, they were just thinking out loud.