BUFFALO SOLDIERS 1866-91
Ron Field, illustrated by Richard Hook
Osprey Elite No 107
Another in this long running Osprey Series, written and illustrated by well established team members. It contains the usual eight full colour plates, illustrating uniforms and equipment both in garrison and in combat. The illustrations also include sample flags and insignia.
The phrase "Buffalo Soldiers" conjures up the 9th and 10th US Cavalry, but this book also covers the Regiments of Infantry that were raised from the black community and fought in the Indian Wars. These were originally raised as 38th to 41st Infantry, but soon consolidated into the 24th and 25th. The book points out that the 24th served longer on the frontier than any other infantry regiment.
It chronicles the racial prejudice faced by these units and the problems faced by black officers in gaining promotion in the US Army and, briefly, the history of the only known black female soldier.
The campaigns of all four regiments are covered and brings out well the number of small unit actions fought by both the cavalry and the infantry. This is a useful corrective to the normal Hollywood image that only the cavalry ever fought. Many of the actions described would make excellent small skirmish scenarios.
Both the text and the plates cover the arms and equipment of the Infantry and the cavalry. As well as giving specific detail for these units the book would be a useful general starting reference for US Cavalry and Infantry of the period.
What I particularly like is the use of contemporary illustrations, both photographs and line drawings. These give a real picture of both the daily life and the combats these units fought. The one that really appeals though is a sketch from the Anne S. K. Brown Military collection. This shows a trooper of one of the cavalry units in full dress being carried to his saddle by two fellow soldiers, while three others stand by to help with the horse and equipment. This is a practice I had only ever heard of with reference to elite European or Indian Army units.
Overall this is a really interesting book, which provides scenario ideas and information on creating a slightly different unit from the usual US 7th Cavalry, and tells the story of these unusual units.
Now if anyone out there from Osprey is listening how about something on another "minority" unit in the US Army, the 'Nisei' or Japanese Americans who fought in WW2?
Jeff Fletcher
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