9th
Cavalry |
Lawton-Fort
Sill Chapter |
10 th Cavalry |
Sergeant Henry Parker
|
Buffalo Soldier |
As a Buffalo Soldier, great-grandfather, Sergeant Henry Parker, and the U.S. army were a part of the Plains Indian's nightmare. As an American soldier, he served his country under the worst of conditions, showing the courage and bravery that has been the tradition of all fighting men, no matter their cause, no matter their sacrifice. It should be noted, that Regimental returns show that the Buffalo Soldiers were not involved in Indian massacres, though they were camped near the sites of two incidents and assisted those who survived. It is this author's stated belief, that the Buffalo Soldiers did not mistreat Native-Americans and were not responsible for their removal from reservations. After escaping from his slavemaster in Apton Valley, Kentucky, great-grandfather joined the 101st Regiment United States Colored Infantry, at 18 years of age. He served three years as a private in the Civil War. Action was seen at White's Ranch, Boyd's Station and Stevenson's Gap, and at Scottsborough and Larkinsville, Alabama. Henry Parker enlisted in the U.S. Cavalry
on May 18, 1867 in Memphis, Tennessee by Captain Davis for a period
of five years. He was 21 years old and listed his occupation as a
groom. His description included black eyes, black hair and a complexion
listed as mulatto. Henry's height was recorded as 5'9 1/2". He
was assigned to Company D of the Tenth U.S. Cavalry and was discharged
on May 18, 1872 at Ft. Sill, Indian Territory * as a private. Fort
Sill ca. 1827-1876, courtesy On June 6, 1872, Henry Parker re-en1isted in the army at Fort Sill for another five years. His height, however, was now listed as 5' 11 1/2". He was again assigned to Company D of the Tenth U.S. Cavalry. When discharged at Fort Concho, Texas on June 6, 1877, Henry Parker was a sergeant, a member of the "Color Guard" with his character listed as "Excellent". |
