Buffalo Soldiers During the Spanish American War

Edward Lee Baker, Jr., was a Buffalo Soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Spanish American War in Cuba on July 1, 1898. He served in numerous units including the Forty-ninth Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. He was commissioned a captain in the Philippine Scouts in 1902. He died on August 26, 1913, at the age of 47 and was buried in Los Angeles, California.

Dennis Bell was born on December 28, 1866, in Washington, D.C. He enlisted in the Army in 1892. On June 30, 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Bell along with three other soldiers, voluntarily went ashore to rescue wounded comrades during the Battle of Tayacoba. The following year, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions that day. He is buried is Arlington National Cemetery, Section 31, Site 349.

Fitz Lee was born in June 1866 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. As a Buffalo Soldier, he earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Spanish American War on June 30, 1898. He died in Leavenworth, Kansas, on September 14, 1899, at the age of 33.

George Henry Wanton was born on May 15, 1868, in Paterson, New Jersey. He earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Spanish American War on June 30, 1898. He retired from the Army in 1925 as a master sergeant. He died on November 24, 1940, at the age of 72.

Throughout his life, Charles Young overcame countless obstacles in his ascent to prominence. In spite of overt racism and stifling inequality, Young rose through the military ranks to become one of the most respected leaders of his time. From leading men in combat on foreign soil to leading men domestically in our country's national parks, Young led by example and inspired a generation of new leaders. He was posthumously promoted to Brigadier General on November 1, 2021.

William McBryar, a Buffalo Soldier in the Tenth U.S. Cavalry, received the Medal of Honor for his participation in the 1890 Cherry Creek Campaign in the Arizona Territory. He was later a member of another Buffalo Soldier regiment, the Twenty-Fifth U.S. Infantry, during the Spanish- American War.

Charles Faulkner had a thirty year career with the 10th Cavalry. He travelled to Cuba and the Philippines, and retired at the Presidio San Francisco.

Augustus Walley was born enslaved in 1856 in Maryland. He enlisted in the Ninth Cavalry in 1878. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on August 16, 1881. He fought at the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War in 1898. He died in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 9, 1938.

Augustus Snoten served in the segregated military for nearly 30 years. His service took him from Puerto Rico to Alaska and many places in between.

Lewis Harris served with the USCT, 10th Cavalry, and 24th Infantry during his long military career. He fought in the Civil War, "Indian Wars," and Spanish American War before retiring in 1901.

Charles Terry was a Buffalo Soldier whose military career lasted almost 30 years.

Benson enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 25, 1875. Caleb Benson served with the 10th Cavalry in Companies D & K. During his service, Benson participated in the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, and the Philippine American War. On July 6, 1905, he received a relinquished homestead claim from Captain Whitehead near Fort Robinson. Soon Benson’s company was called to the Philippines for 18 months. Once he returned he married and lived on his homestead.

Buffalo Soldier Sergeant Richard Williams received a special commendation for his bravery during the Battle of San Juan Hill and later served at Vancouver Barracks.

Buffalo Soldier Sergeant Ezekiel H. Hill served at several military posts throughout the western United States and overseas during the Spanish American and Philippine Wars.

Charles Young commanded the Ninth Ohio Battalion for 10 months from May 1898 until February 1899. During this time, the Ninth Ohio trained in Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. They never saw combat during the Spanish-American War.

The Buffalo Soldiers played a key role during the Spanish-American War. The war lasted only a few months and was known as “The Splendid Little War.” Five Buffalo Soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions in Cuba during the war.

On April 21, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain. It would be the first overseas conflict fought by the U.S. It involved major campaigns in both Cuba and the Philippine Islands.