Submitted Article
In July of 1866, Congress passed legislation establishing six all African American Army units, two cavalries and four infantries.
The mounted regiments were the 9th and 10th cavalries whose main purpose was to protect settlers as they moved west and to support the westward development by constructing buildings needed for new settlements to flourish. Nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers” by the Cheyenne and Comanche Indians because of their fierce, brave nature reminded them of the way buffalos fought; this nickname continues to be used respectfully and with honor. The four infantries consisted of the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st (later consolidated to two).  In 1869, the 38th, and 41st  infantry became the 24th and the 39th and 40th  became the 25th infantry. The 9th Cavalry originated in Greenville, Louisiana, and the 10th was organized in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
The U.S. Army brilliantly staffed these regiments with remarkably competent commanding officers. The officers were exclusively white, and quick to realize they could not have served without these most distinguished fighting regiments of African Americans in the United States Army. All of the regiments were destined to create a glorious place for Black men and women in American History.
On July 28, 1992, on the 126th anniversary of the day Congress authorized the formation of the Black regiments, the Buffalo Soldiers Monument was unveiled at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the home of the 10th Cavalry. The Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park consists of the Buffalo Soldier Monument, Circle of Firsts and Walkway of Units which commemorates the significant “firsts” in the history of African American Soldiers and units in the U. S. Army.
The Buffalo Soldiers of South Carolina Motorcycle Club, Inc. Mother Chapter is a nonprofit organization and is one of the 127 chapters in the United States which holds membership in the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Club. The organization’s primary purposes are to commemorate the Buffalo Soldiers who made significant contributions to American History, to promote cultural awareness by engaging in charitable activities which benefit the communities in which the members live, and to educate adults and youth about their African American Heritage. This local chapter is a symbol of helping hands for the citizens in the Pee Dee area and surrounding communities. This chapter recently donated $7,000.00 to twelve organizations; the American Red Cross, and the Naomi Project Inc., Florence, SC; Criterion Recreation Center, Dillon, SC; W.R. Saffold Community Resource Center, Britton’s Neck, SC; Orangeburg Area Boys and Girls Club , Orangeburg, SC; Caraway Back to School Project, Cheraw SC; Lake City Scholarship, Lake City, SC; BTU Rest Home, Cheraw, SC; Creek Bridge Middle/High School, Marion, SC; Success Academy at Palmetto Education Center, and McCormick Elementary School, Mullins, SC; and Harvest Hope Project New Ebenezer AME, Mullins, SC.  In addition, the chapter is dedicated to fighting hunger because of the statistics which identify that one out of every three children are hungry in the wealthiest country in the world – the United States of America.  This chapter is dedicated to its continuing efforts to donate non-perishable foods to the Manna House in Florence, South Carolina and makes regular canned food donations to the Manna House; this year’s donation totaled $1,400.00.  Our helping hands efforts also includes the donations of Christmas “Turkey and Fixings Boxes” to families which is the chapter’s way to provide hope, smiles and faith to families who would not have had a Christmas dinner.  Helping hands is our chapter’s way of giving back to the communities in which our members live.