Buffalo Soldier event slated

The Madison County Historical Society will host Michael Theard at the May 24 quarterly meeting to speak about the “Buffalo Soldiers.”

Just who were the Buffalo Soldiers? In 1866, two U.S. Army African-American regiments were formed, the 9th and 10th cavalries. Members of these two cavalry units and two all-black infantry regiments, the 24th and 25th, came to be called the Buffalo Soldiers. By 1867, the first Buffalo units were sent to the West to fight Native Americans and protect settlers, cattle herds and railroad crews.

For more than two decades these units distinguished themselves in both the Great Plains and in New Mexico and Arizona and along the Rio Grande frontier. They also distinguished themselves in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

One of these Buffalo Soldiers was Clinton Greaves, born into slavery on Aug. 12, 1855 here in Madison County. He enlisted in November 1872 at the age of 23. For heroic action in an engagement in New Mexico on Jan. 24, 1877, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The story of the Buffalo Soldiers is particularly fascinating and on May 24 we are pleased to have Michael Theard speak to the society about the 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry and present a slide program.  He will also speak to us about Medal of Honor winner, Trooper Clinton Greaves.

Mr. Theard is married to the Alease Simms Theard of Madison County.

We will be honored to have present, “Trooper” Jim Rumpler, a beloved Madisonian and one of the last members of the U.S. horse cavalry before it became the armored cavalry. Jim will regale the audience with some interesting stories from his time as an active horse soldier and he will bring some personal effects from his cavalry duty.

The meeting will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24, in the auditorium of the Madison County Administration building and will be followed by refreshments in them Kemper Residence next door. Everyone is invited to attend.

The Madison County Historical Society consists of interested Madisonians and is governed by a board elected by and from the membership. Please visit our exciting Museum at the Arcade, open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and out Web site at http://www.vahistoricalsociety.org.

(Guest columnist Penn Bowers is Madison County Historical Society vice president. His e-mail address is .)