Buffalo Soldiers
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New Mexico Tourism Department

The Buffalo Soldiers were originally members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The nickname was given by the Native American tribes they fought, and the name became somewhat generic for all African-American soldiers over time. The Buffalo Soldiers heroism contributed to Union Victories during the Civil War, and many of them battled against Mescalero Apache warriors. On September 6, 2005, Mark Matthews, who was the oldest living Buffalo Soldier, died at the age of 111, but their legacy is re-enacted at commemorative events that bring enormous pride to the contemporary community.