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Fort Larned program to feature Buffalo Soldiers Sunday
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Volunteers portray the Buffalo Soldiers who were stationed at Fort Larned from 1867 to 1869.

FORT LARNED — Fort Larned National Historic Site Park Ranger Celeste Dixon will coordinate a program about the Buffalo Soldiers in the frontier Army, especially the time that Co. A spent at Fort Larned. The program is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. Sunday.
Company A of the 10th U.S. Cavalry was stationed at Fort Larned from the summer of 1867 to Jan. 2, 1869.
As a cavalry unit at a frontier military post, the men of Co. A did what any cavalry unit of the time did: went on reconnaissance patrols, escorted mail wagons along the Santa Fe Trail, and took their at turn at guard duty on the post. The men took care of their horses and their gear according to Army regulations, and spent their free time socializing with each other and spending time at the post sutler’s store.
Unlike most other cavalry units on the frontier after the Civil War, though, the men of Co. A. were African American soldiers recruited for the first all-black regular Army units. Along with the 10th Cavalry, there was the 9th Cavalry, as well as the 24th and 25th Infantry regiments. These men not only served their country faithfully, they also had a lower desertion rate, and a higher re-enlistment rate than their White counter-parts in other Army units. Unfortunately, these men also endured much discrimination because of the prevailing racism of the time.
In celebration of the National Park Service Centennial, Fort Larned National Historic Site invites you to discover the meaning of national parks, how your park inspires you - both in personal connections and memorable experiences.
Fort Larned National Historic Site is six miles west of Larned on K-156. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., information on visiting is on the internet at www.nps.gov/fols, or by calling 620-285-6911. There is no admission fee. Learn more at www.nps.gov.