More Work Than Glory: Buffalo Soldiers in the United States Army, 1865-1916

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Prior to the 1960s, the term "Buffalo Soldier" was relatively obscure, but a surge of books, articles, and media transformed these Black U.S. Army troops into recognized figures in American history. Influential figures like William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody and Frederic Remington helped elevate the image of these soldiers, who served from 1866 to 1916 in diverse locations such as the American West, Cuba, and the Philippines. Despite this increased visibility, many studies have tended to reiterate previous narratives, often concluding with the Indian Wars or the Spanish American War, focusing primarily on military operations rather than the broader contributions of these men to the nation’s development after the Civil War. This latest work by military historian John P. Langellier synthesizes over five decades of research, integrating new and underutilized primary sources. It examines the Buffalo Soldiers within the larger context of race and the U.S. Army's evolution from a frontier force to an international power. Langellier emphasizes their varied non-military roles, including assignments in national parks, road building, and law enforcement, while also highlighting their impressive combat record. By framing the narrative from Reconstruction through the early twentieth century, he provides a human perspective that challenges common misconceptions and reveals the soldiers' significant, multifaceted contributions.