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Discharge Documents For A Buffalo Soldier

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Black History

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Black "Buffalo Soldier" Discharge

Discharge Documents For A Buffalo Soldier.
Two partly-printed documents regarding the discharge of "Private Jessie Gardiner of Captain C.C. Hood's Company F of the Twenty fourth Regiment of Infantry, born in Paducah County, in the State of Kentucky aged 21 years...Brown complexion...by occupation a Wagoner...for Five years, who is now discharged by reason of Special Orders..." The Final Statement shows monies due to and from this soldier, including $1.84 due to the United States for tobacco! Both documents measure 11" x 8.5". The second document is a voucher detailing the balance paid to Gardiner upon his discharge, who adds his mark to the signature line. Both are Extremely Fine or better, although Form No. 5 has some varmint damage along one of the folds. A third item, measuring 9.5" x 7.75," is a second, handwritten receipt signed by Gardiner for additional monies received from the Paymaster. (3 items)

After the Civil War, the U.S. Army recruited four regiments of African Americans to serve on the Western frontier. The men of the 24th and 25th Infantry and the 9th and 10th Cavalry fought Indians, built forts, pursued desperadoes, and protected railroad builders. Because their curly hair reminded the Indians of buffalo hair, they called the soldiers "Buffalo Soldiers." This is a discharge for one of the soldiers of the 24th Infantry.



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