And now they are twelve.
The "Buffalo Soldiers" were originally members of the 9th and 10th Cavalry - founded in 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Their nickname, Buffalo Soldiers was given to them by the Native American Indian tribes that they often fought.
In addition to Military campaigns, they served a variety of roles, from building roads and protecting the building of the railroads to escorting the US Mail. At various times from 1875 - 1885, both regiments were based at Fort Concho, Texas.
My guys from these regiments are out on patrol and have set up temporary camp in the lee of an old adobe wall, somewhere South of their base, near the Mexican border. In the background, a small troop is going out as an escort to the US Mail - aboard a Wells Fargo Stagecoach. An incoming patrol has recently returned - in their battered stetsons and neck scarves - often of non-regulation pattern and colour - that they wind around their mouths in a vain attempt to keep out the choking trail-dust. They have few luxuries - but have been drawn to the enticing aroma of a pot of coffee - here being brewed up by an old-timer. Joseph - or simply "Joe" to all and sundry, who is also enjoying a few shavings of "Baccy" in his pipe whilst waiting for his cup of joe - and even his Colonel, "Nathan", to his troops behind his back - seems to have the scent too.
Around the camp-fire are the remenants of Colour Parties for each regiment - as "taps" is about to be called for the evening.
Hope you enjoyed their birth as much as I did. They may even get a few more recruits, from time to time.
Happy New Year everyone. See you in another thread? johnnybach
