Buffalo Soldiers :: essays research papers

periodic Life on the Western Frontier Daily life for the legions of the 9th and 10th Cavalries was harsh, but, for the most part, it was similar to that of their White counterparts. During the 1860s and 70s, the limit forts resembled little more than rundown villages, and the enlisted mens barracks were often poorly ventilated, insect infested hovels. The only bathing facilities usually consisted of the local creek. As a result, diseases much(prenominal) as dysentery, bronchitis, and tuberculosis were a common problem. Rations throughout the Indian campaigns consisted in general of beef or bacon, potatoes, beans, fresh vegetables from the post garden, and sometimes fruit or jam. The work week was seven days, with the exception of the fourth of July and Christmas. The monthly turn over for a private was a mere $13. When available, many of the African-American troops spent void hours in schools established to alleviate the illiteracy mandated by slavery. The schools were norma lly run by chaplains assigned to the Black units, for this purpose. Other leisure activities were few, especially for the African-American troops stationed in west Texas. Only a splendid percentage of enlisted men were able to bring their wives with them to the frontier posts. The small villages which grew up around the forts were usually little more than a hookup of saloons and gambling parlors, inhabited by some of the more unsavory characters on the frontier. Here, partially due to the federal governments harsh reconstruction policies, racial bias by both local citizens and law of nature officers was severe. When disputes arose among Buffalo Soldiers and locals, the local law and juries consistently sided against the troops. The most serious problem faced by the force during the Indian War period was desertion. In 1868, the desertion rate for enlisted force out was approximately 25 percent. Desertions among White regiments were roughly three times greater than those among B lack units.