Students learn about Buffalo Soldiers

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. – The term “Buffalo Soldiers” was a nickname given to African American Soldiers who served in the United States Army in the west after the civil war.

They were the topic of discussion today for Pocomoke Elementary School’s guest speaker today.

“The term originated in the late 1800s and we’re talking about when you had segregation in our armed services and this was when the first time the United States allowed black men to actually join the regular army,” said Trooper Althea Thompson, President of Buffalo Soldiers of Salisbury, MD.

Buffalo Soldiers were United States Army regiments made up exclusively of African American soldiers.

The groups were formed during the 19th century to serve on the American Frontier and played a large part in westward expansion.

Chandler was on hand Monday to teach students about this unique piece of history.

“These troops really helped form the United States, they really did the expansion of the United States and this is not taught in regular public schools,” she said.

Additionally, the name Buffalo Soldiers was coined by Native Americans, given to these regiments because of their dark, curly hair which resembled a buffaloes coat and because of their fierce nature of fighting.

“Our children don’t learn things like this a lot, some of it’s missing from our history books, so what we want to do is bring that history to life with people who are really part of it,” said Mark Thompson with Pocomoke Elementary School.

Thompson said Monday’s presentation builds off of Black History month and serves to expose the children to a variety of different cultures and backgrounds.

“Even though it’s March, we’re still here to celebrate and to recognize a group that I really didn’t even hear about too much either when I was growing up and that’s the Buffalo Soldiers,” he said.

To learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers, you can visit allenhistoricalsociety.org.