More than 100 African American troops arriving at the Vancouver Barracks didn’t go unnoticed by the locals in April 1899. African Americans were a rarity in the area and generally stood out by their singularity. These men of Company B of the 24th U.S. Infantry belonged to one of the Army’s four African American regiments of Buffalo Soldiers.
Like all enlisted soldiers at the barracks, the Army filled their days with drilling, marching, marksmanship, maintaining the barracks and clerical work. And like other soldiers, they filled any scant spare time enjoying baseball, dancing and partying. Their superiors also sent them on ceremonial duties for concerts, funerals and parades. Soon after they arrived, the Buffalo Soldiers headed the city’s Memorial Day parade.
That year a former Buffalo Soldier, Sgt. Moses Williams, retired and died shortly thereafter at his Vancouver home. An attachment of African American troops escorted the Medal of Honor recipient’s remains to the post cemetery, where he was buried with full military honors.
Labor conflicts
The African American soldiers also played a role in one of the worst labor conflicts in the West. In Wardner, Idaho, miners struggled to unionize the Bunker Hill Mine. The profitable company declared it would “shut down and remain closed for twenty years” before it would recognize a union. Angered, the miners hijacked a Pacific Northern train. Idaho Gov. Frank Steunenberg on May 4 proclaimed martial law and requested federal forces from President William McKinley. Vancouver Barracks’ militia was nearest and sent the African American troops to impose order by guarding railroad lines, prisoners and keeping the peace.
