Buffalo Soldiers 1866-91

Description

African-American soldiers played a decisive role in the US Army on the western frontier during the Plains Wars. First authorised by Congress in July 1866, they were organised into two cavalry and four infantry regiments, which were commanded by white officers. All were quickly nicknamed the 'Buffalo Soldiers' by their Cheyenne and Comanche enemies. These brave soldiers fought many native tribes over the years, including the warriors of Sitting Bull and Geronimo. This book tells the story of these buffalo soldiers who, until the early 1890s, constituted 20 per cent of all active forces on duty in the American West.

Ron Field was born in Hertford, England, in 1943 and was educated in Cheltenham where he gained a Bachelor of Education (Hons) degree. He is presently Head of History at the Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water and was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship in 1982. Ron has also travelled extensively in the US conducting research at numerous libraries, archives and museums. Richard Hook was born in 1938 and trained at Reigate College of Art. After national service with 1st Bn, Queen's Royal Regiment, he became art editor of the much-praised magazine 'Finding Out,' during the 1960s. He has worked as a freelance illustrator ever since, earning an international reputation, particularly for his deep knowledge of Native American material culture, and has illustrated more than 30 Osprey titles.