Ulysses S. Grant and the US Government Form the Very First Buffalo Soldiers Regiment

Three men were appointed to command the inaugural Buffalo Soldiers regiment and this is one of those original appointments

The Buffalo Soldiers were created as part of the Army reorganization of 1866, designed to be composed exclusively of African American soldiers. Their goal was to serve on the American frontier. Although created in 1866, the first few recruits were local and the regiments were not formally organized and staffed until 1867. The first Buffalo Soldiers regiment was the 10th Cavalry. In February Troop A was organized under the command of Captain Nicholas Nolan with Lieutenants G. W. Graham and G. F. Raulston. They were out of Ft. Leavenworth. The name Buffalo Soldiers was purportedly given by local native tribes who fought against them. Originally the Buffalo Soldiers name applied only to the 10th Cavalry. This regiment was composed of Black enlisted men and white officers, which was typical for that era.

The 10th has a storied career on the plains and in fighting against the Native Americans, among them the Cheyenne. They were active in the Indian Wars through the early 1870s, including fighting in William T. Sherman’s campaigns against the Cheyennes, Arapahos and Comanches. Units of the 10th Cavalry prevented the Cheyenne from fleeing, allowing Custer and the 7th Cavalry to defeat them near Fort Cobb.

George Raulston was a hero of the Civil War, who had distinguished himself toward the end of the Civil War at the Battle of Weldon Road. In the summer of 1864, the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad that ran from Petersburg southeast was in Union hands, and Grant’s thrust was toward the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad that ran due south. If he could cut the Weldon, only one lifeline in Petersburg would remain open to the Confederates, a rail link that ran west. The Battle of Weldon Railroad (also called Globe Tavern) took place from August 18–21, 1864. As the sun set on August 20, Gen. Warren was in full control of the Weldon Railroad’s access to Petersburg, and by the next day his troops had fortified the gap between the railroad and their old lines, making for a permanent extension of them. Meanwhile, on the 22nd Grant was planning how best to follow up the victory and anticipate Lee’s next move.

Partly printed letter signed, by US Grant in his capacity as Interim Secretary of War, War Department, Washington, October 31, 1867, to Brevet First Lt George F. Raulston. “You are hereby informed that the President of the United States has appointed you, for Gallant and meritorious services in the battle of the Weldon Road, VA, a First Lieutenant by Brevet, in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the second day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven. Should the Senate at their next session advice and consent thereto, you will be commissioned accordingly….” At the bottom, a contemporary hand has written “1st Lieut. 10th Cav.”