Lindsey Graham

They roamed the prairies, hunting buffalo for meat and hide. But by the middle of the 19th century, white settlers had threatened their way of life by introducing diseases, devastating foraging grounds, contaminating water sources, and running off buffalo herds.

They roamed the prairies, hunting buffalo for meat and hide. But by the middle of the 19th century, white settlers had threatened their way of life by introducing diseases, devastating foraging grounds, contaminating water sources, and running off buffalo herds.

Nevertheless, tens of thousands of Indians insisted on remaining free rather than agreeing to live on reservations at the mercy of white men. For their resistance to white settlement, the U.S. government considered them hostile. But conflict with Indian tribes was not the only reason for sending black soldiers west. The politics of reconstruction also came into play.

Nevertheless, tens of thousands of Indians insisted on remaining free rather than agreeing to live on reservations at the mercy of white men. For their resistance to white settlement, the U.S. government considered them hostile. But conflict with Indian tribes was not the only reason for sending black soldiers west. The politics of reconstruction also came into play.

Nevertheless, tens of thousands of Indians insisted on remaining free rather than agreeing to live on reservations at the mercy of white men. For their resistance to white settlement, the U.S. government considered them hostile. But conflict with Indian tribes was not the only reason for sending black soldiers west. The politics of reconstruction also came into play.

Army officials hoped that by keeping black soldiers away from the South, they could reduce tensions. So in March 1867, Emanuel Stantz and the other soldiers of the 9th Cavalry left Louisiana for Fort Davis in West Texas. But during their travels, the soldiers quickly discovered they would be fighting a war on two fronts, one against the Indians and one with their own army.

Army officials hoped that by keeping black soldiers away from the South, they could reduce tensions. So in March 1867, Emanuel Stantz and the other soldiers of the 9th Cavalry left Louisiana for Fort Davis in West Texas. But during their travels, the soldiers quickly discovered they would be fighting a war on two fronts, one against the Indians and one with their own army.

Army officials hoped that by keeping black soldiers away from the South, they could reduce tensions. So in March 1867, Emanuel Stantz and the other soldiers of the 9th Cavalry left Louisiana for Fort Davis in West Texas. But during their travels, the soldiers quickly discovered they would be fighting a war on two fronts, one against the Indians and one with their own army.

The soldiers were accompanied by Lieutenant Edward Hale, a white company commander who quickly gained a reputation as a sadistic bigot. In April, the regiment arrived at San Pedro Springs, outside San Antonio. While there, Hale ordered several black soldiers to be hung by their wrists from tree limbs for responding too slowly to his orders.

The soldiers were accompanied by Lieutenant Edward Hale, a white company commander who quickly gained a reputation as a sadistic bigot. In April, the regiment arrived at San Pedro Springs, outside San Antonio. While there, Hale ordered several black soldiers to be hung by their wrists from tree limbs for responding too slowly to his orders.

The soldiers were accompanied by Lieutenant Edward Hale, a white company commander who quickly gained a reputation as a sadistic bigot. In April, the regiment arrived at San Pedro Springs, outside San Antonio. While there, Hale ordered several black soldiers to be hung by their wrists from tree limbs for responding too slowly to his orders.

When the black sergeant, Harrison Bradford, protested, an argument escalated into gunfire that killed Bradford and a lieutenant. As a result of this incident, several black soldiers were court-martialed while Hale got off with only a reprimand.

When the black sergeant, Harrison Bradford, protested, an argument escalated into gunfire that killed Bradford and a lieutenant. As a result of this incident, several black soldiers were court-martialed while Hale got off with only a reprimand.

When the black sergeant, Harrison Bradford, protested, an argument escalated into gunfire that killed Bradford and a lieutenant. As a result of this incident, several black soldiers were court-martialed while Hale got off with only a reprimand.

So, before they even arrived at their final post, the 9th Cavalry was stained by accusations of mutiny, and soon they would face the challenge of guarding hundreds of miles of one of the most turbulent frontiers in American history. In July, the 9th Cavalry finally arrived at Fort Davis, a dilapidated army outpost named after Jefferson Davis, who was Secretary of War when the fort was constructed.

So, before they even arrived at their final post, the 9th Cavalry was stained by accusations of mutiny, and soon they would face the challenge of guarding hundreds of miles of one of the most turbulent frontiers in American history. In July, the 9th Cavalry finally arrived at Fort Davis, a dilapidated army outpost named after Jefferson Davis, who was Secretary of War when the fort was constructed.

So, before they even arrived at their final post, the 9th Cavalry was stained by accusations of mutiny, and soon they would face the challenge of guarding hundreds of miles of one of the most turbulent frontiers in American history. In July, the 9th Cavalry finally arrived at Fort Davis, a dilapidated army outpost named after Jefferson Davis, who was Secretary of War when the fort was constructed.

It was nestled in a mile-high desert canyon in west Texas near the Mexican border, roughly 200 miles southeast of El Paso. But there at Fort Davis, their main duty was to defend 600 miles of the meandering Rio Grande frontier and a vast region in West Texas. Water was often scarce, and temperatures ranged from over 100 degrees in summer to below freezing in winter.

It was nestled in a mile-high desert canyon in west Texas near the Mexican border, roughly 200 miles southeast of El Paso. But there at Fort Davis, their main duty was to defend 600 miles of the meandering Rio Grande frontier and a vast region in West Texas. Water was often scarce, and temperatures ranged from over 100 degrees in summer to below freezing in winter.

It was nestled in a mile-high desert canyon in west Texas near the Mexican border, roughly 200 miles southeast of El Paso. But there at Fort Davis, their main duty was to defend 600 miles of the meandering Rio Grande frontier and a vast region in West Texas. Water was often scarce, and temperatures ranged from over 100 degrees in summer to below freezing in winter.