History

The first major battle in which African Americans participated was the Civil War… they were slaves.

During that war, they distinguished themselves as soldiers, sacrificing their lives for their country and for their freedom. Thus began…
The Legend of the Buffalo Soldiers
.

Black men and women have continued to serve with distinction, fighting for those very same reasons, in every war since then.


2004 marks the 128th year of continuous service for the Tenth United States Cavalry, a historical milestone achieved by devoted peacetime service and gallant wartime deeds.

The Legend

They helped tame the West.
Twelve of them earned the Congressional Medal of Honor.
And they were proud to be called “Buffalo Soldiers.”


They were the black troops of the Ninth and Tenth U.S. Cavalry and the 24th and 25th U.S. Infantry. Comprised entirely of African-American soldiers these four regiments compiled a notable record of military accomplishments. In the late 19th Century, they patrolled the turbulent Western frontier from Arizona to Montana, and distinguished themselves in campaigns against the Apache, Cheyenne and Sioux.

The black soldiers were often ferocious and courageous in battle, even when outnumbered. Out of respect, it was the Cheyenne who first referred to these hard-fighting black men in blue as “Buffalo Soldiers” – reportedly because their hair resembled that of the revered bison. To the Plains Indians, the buffalo was a symbol of strength and courage – characteristics easily identified with the black troops of the West.

Because the Buffalo was a sacred animal to the Indians the Cavalrymen accepted the title with great pride. Proudly adopted, the name became a highly respected American legacy.

Mission

"Illuminating the Past to Light The Future"

NJBSMC is a non-profit organization comprised of predominately African American men and women dedicated to the sport of motorcycling.

The New Jersey Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club “NJBSMC” is also dedicated to the education of all people as it pertains to the rightful place of African Americans in our country’s history.

We ride under the name of the ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ to express our pride in and our respect for the many accomplishments made during the decades following the civil war. We hope to instill that pride in the minds and hearts of today’s youth. We believe in our young people, and we believe that our representation of heroes from the past, like the Buffalo Soldiers, will serve to ignite and strengthen the values of our youth in the future.