Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Seldon at Cloride, NM An act passed by congress in 1866 authorized the United States Army to form six all black Calvary units to fight against the Indian Tribes. The new units were the 9th and 10th United States Calvary and the 24th and the 25th United States Infantry. Both units served in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico The white troopers called these black troops less then complimentary names, but the Indians named them Buffalo Soldiers because of their wiry hair and their fighting ability. These soldiers helped to build towns, guarded forts and railroad workers. The buffalo soldiers had a colorful record for 24 years. They kept the peace even with substandard equipment they had to fight for their own survival against prejudice. Twelve black soldiers, eight from New Mexico, received the highly prized congressional medal of honor between 1870 and 1890. Private John Collins was born into slavery to a Cherokee mother and a black Irish father in Accimack County, Virginia. Collins was nine years old when the emancipation proclamation was signed. It is not known the year he left home but at an early age he joined a crew of sailors on a freighter sailing around the world. He remained with this freighter for seven years until he joined the 9th United States Calvary. Later he joined the 24th United States Infantry and was an Indian Scout because of his knowledge or Indian customs and signs. The movement of his regiment brought him to the territory of New Mexico. In 1890 his regiment moved to Fort Bayard, around Silver City, New Mexico. After his discharge John Collins settled in Albuquerque where he opened the Collins Freight Lines and Collins Scavenger Yard. | |
