Brothers to the Buffalo Soldiers: Perspectives on the African American Militia and Volunteers, 1865-1917

Abstract

Brothers to Buffalo Soldiers: Perspectives on African American Militia and Volunteers, 1865-1917. Edited by Bruce A. Glasrud. (Columbia and London: University Missouri Press, c. 2011. Pp. [x], 246. $39.95, ISBN 978-0-8262-1904-6.) Brothers to Buffalo Soldiers: Perspectives on African American Militia and Volunteers, 1865-1917 consists eleven essays, divided into two sections. The articles, which all previously appeared in scholarly journals, are analytical and insightful. This collection does a fine job taking reader inside world black militiamen and black volunteers during fifty years after Civil War. In a thoughtful introduction, editor Bruce A. Glasrud provides a brief historical analysis black participation in American wars during nineteenth century. He contends that because of extraordinary effectiveness black soldiers in Civil War, they won recognition both Congress and country and formal establishment six (segregated) U.S. Army regiments (p. 2). The Civil War was a transformative event in history African American soldiers. Black men joined military units during Reconstruction to prove their manhood and patriotism and for camaraderie. African Americans also believed that as a result their military service they would become beneficiaries citizenship rights. Black communities supported their men in uniform and beamed with pride whenever they made public appearances. Several contributors point out that black militia companies devoted considerable time to marching in parades, engaging in ceremonial activities, and participating in competitive drills and sham battles. During Reconstruction, black militia companies were visible institutions in former Confederate states. This promising start to black militia movement withered in face oppression. In his essay on black militia movement in Reconstruction South, Otis A. Singletary maintains that the slackening presidential support, lack confidence on part local Radical leaders, and subsequent disintegration morale which was accompanied by usual disastrous results doomed black militias (p. 24). As nineteenth century progressed, emergence Jim Crow laws and refusal federal government to intervene in behalf black soldiers ensured their disappearance from ranks National Guard. A unifying theme in collection is prejudicial treatment perpetrated against black soldiers within military and by white civilians. …