African American Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry and 369th Infantry Photograph Archive

Buffalo Soldier in The Spanish American War

Photograph

Buffalo Soldier regiments depicted in stereoview photographs from the World War I era document African American cavalrymen and infantry units serving in segregated formations of the United States Army during the early twentieth century. These images record soldiers from several historically significant Black military units including the 9th U.S. Cavalry, the 10th Cavalry, and the 369th Infantry Regiment. African American soldiers served in large numbers during World War I despite segregation in the armed forces, and the war marked a turning point in public recognition of Black military service. The photographs capture cavalry movement, machine gun training, and celebratory returns from the European front, preserving visual evidence of the military presence and public visibility of Buffalo Soldiers during the conflict.

Archive consists of seven stereoview photographs published by the Keystone View Company during the World War I period. The views depict soldiers from the 9th U.S. Cavalry, the 8th Regiment of Colored Troops, the 10th Cavalry, the Chicago Regiment of Colored Troops, and the 15th Regiment of the 369th Infantry. Two stereoviews show Black machine gun companies operating Lewis guns, one of the principal light machine guns used on the Western Front during the war. Another view shows Troop K of the 10th Cavalry moving on horseback at Camp Chickamauga in Georgia. Additional stereoviews depict African American soldiers returning from European service and marching in public celebrations, including scenes of troops parading along major boulevards such as Fifth Avenue in New York.

The Buffalo Soldier regiments had already established a long military record before the First World War. Units such as the 10th Cavalry formed part of the segregated Regular Army created after the Civil War and served in campaigns across the western United States during the Indian Wars, later participating in the Spanish American War, the Philippine American War, and operations during the Mexican Revolution. World War I marked one of the final periods in which cavalry units remained visible in American military organization, as mechanized armor and motorized vehicles soon replaced mounted troops. At the same time, Black soldiers who returned from service were celebrated in wartime parades yet continued to face segregation and racial discrimination within American society. Stereoview cards remain well preserved with light age wear typical of early twentieth century photographic prints. Very good condition overall and a visually compelling record of Buffalo Soldiers during the World War I era.

Item #20502

Price: $1,850.00