Over 100 African American troopers 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. Their 13 months’ tour of duty here made them the first to serve at the garrison.
Like all enlisted soldiers at the barracks, the Army filled their days with drilling, marching, marksmanship, maintaining the barracks and clerical work. And like them, 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 after in his home here. An attachment of African American troops escorted the Medal of Honor recipient’s remains to the post cemetery, and with full military honors buried him…