2017 0226 Buffalo Soldiers honored by C.M.B.C. in Harlingen, Texas

by Javier R. Garcia

I had to post this photo first because it was the only close-up I took of Corinth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Donald Ray Ellington (red shirt).  Ellington invited some friends and  historians for an early afternoon event to talk about black history.  The 1906 shooting known as The Brownsville Raid in which 167 soldiers of the 25th Infantry U.S. Army were discharged without honor by President Roosevelt has always been a interesting topic because it is one of those history's mysteries that may never be solved. If forensics or fair legal process had been applied to the case back then, the heroic Buffalo Soldiers would not have been found guilty (but we'll leave that for historians to debate if they want to).  I'll introduce those other gentlemen pictured above with Mr. Elligton later but first....

The "Inspirational Singing" by the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church Adult Choir lived up to its name on the program description which was handed to me as soon as I arrived to the large tent set-up in case a lot of people showed up, which they did.  They all sang and played beautifully.  I had always imagined what it might be like to listen to live gospel music and was truly pleased with the music and singing.

There were a few honored guests at the event including two city commissioners and Sheriff Omar Lucio seen here with a deputy and CMBC volunteer Gerald Flowers.  Volunteer members of the congregation wore red shirts and greeted visitors and handed out programs as they took a seat at a table under the big tent.  Tony Guitierrez (top left) with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce had a few words of advice for business entrepreneurs in the audience and CBMC Reverend Lonnie Davis with  Harlingen, Texas District 4 Commissioner Ruben De La Rosa are pictured top right.   Not pictured is District 5 Commissioner Victor Leal who was also present.

Captain Paul Matthews is the founder of the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, Texas.  He explained how warriors of the Cheyenne Native American tribe respectfully referred to black soldiers as Wild Buffaloes due to their fierce attacks and fighting spirit and of course, the sodier's coarse hair which would be much like a buffalos wool.  Buffalo Soldiers were established in 1866 (after the Civil War) and were regiments of 9th & 10th Calvary and 24th and 25th Infantry.  Brownsville Texas was visited by U. S.Army Colored Troops between 1862 and 1906.

1860s era Wild Buffaloes charging into battle (photo copied from VisionQuest 

Actor Wayne Dehart's monologue was outstanding!  His reenactment opened with a description of what is was like becoming a free man and traveling to New Orleans where he was mustered into the Army and later ambushed by Indians while hunting for fugitive Apache Chief Victorio along the northern Texas border with Mexico.  The performance also made him a witness to the Houston Riot of 1917  (Camp Logan Riot) where 5 policemen were killed by Buffalo Soldiers of which 19 were court-martialed and sentenced to be hanged.  Parts of his monologue were taken from a 200+-page manuscript of original documents describing buffalo soldier's experiences and attitudes of the time.

Dehart has appeared in television and films, most notably A Time to Kill (1996), The Apostle (1997), Jason's Lyric (1994) and RoboCop 2 to name a few.  He works with Captain Matthews at the museum and is currently with the Ensemble Theater in Houston, Texas.  There are clips of him acting on YouTube for those who are curious enough to look.

 Photo of baseball team at Fort Brown in 1906

 We took a short break to feast on fish, potato salad and cole slaw which was catered for guests.  

Dr. Antonio Zavaleta gave historical accounts of Fort Brown soldiers in the Rio Grande Valley.  He intends to see that a "historical zone" at Fort Brown is established to commemorate the plight of soldiers who gave their lives in service to the U.S. Army at Fort Brown.  We hope readers of this blog and contributing members of the historical community will come together to support the idea.  History has shown that UTB-TSC was resistant to ever establishing a "1906 Buffalo Soldier" historical marker but maybe UT-RGV Brownsville will actually accomplish something about it this decade.  We can appreciate Dr. Zavaleta's broader goal to recognize all the African-American soldiers who were in Brownsville including those of the 25th Infantry implicated in the 1906 incident.  At the conclusion of his discussion he read off a few names of soldiers who had been buried at Fort Brown who were victims of Yellow Fever or Cholera epidemics.  

 1906 buffalo soldier image courtesy of Rene Torres

 Soldiers in formation while in Cuba during the Spanish-American War in 1898

Earl Smith (inset photo of CMBC program and souvenir guide with photo of Smith's meeting with President Barack Obama after he became president).

William "Earl" Smith is a longtime Valleyite from San Benito with roots that go far back to the earliest vaqueros in the Rio Grande Valley.  His work in the hotel security business allowed him the pleasure of making an acquaintance with both past president Bushes, Bill Clinton and Smith's personal favorite, Barack Obama.  He told the story about a patch he gave to Senator Barack Obama while he was on the campaign trail in 2008.  Smith  carried that military patch with him for 40 years and wanted Mr Obama to have it to get him through rough times as it had seen Smith make it through his stint in the Vietnam War.  You can read more about it by clicking on this Washington Post link.

 1890 Buffalo Soldiers of the 25th Infantry.  Some are wearing buffalo fur coats and holding other props for this group photo. (Source:  Wikipedia)  Not only were they used by the U.S. Government to exterminate Native Americans or move them to reservations, they also helped kill off the buffalo.  Many had just been freed and there were no other jobs for them to take so many joined the army and saw the west settled.  

 Mr. Smith was made an honorary Buffalo Soldier and presented with en embroidered jacket by Captain Matthews.

 Captain Paul Matthews, Dr. Antonio Zavaleta and Wayne Dehart

Company "A" 25th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops (Source:  Bernard Stewart Buffalo Soldiers)

 Earl Smith signed autographs and took photos with visitors.

Captain Paul Matthews and Wayne Dehart also signed autographs and took photos.

It was a great time had by all under that big tent.  I met some very interesting people and learned more about the role of African-Americans in the Rio Grande Valley.  Everyone prayed and ate together.  It had been a long while since I attended church and felt right at home in Harlingen.  

Until next time, thanks for looking in on Bronsbil Estacion.  Please copy URL and share link with your friends who love RGV history and its people.