Black History
American Black “Buffalo Soldier” Army Discharge Paper
September 1st, 1874-Dated Indian Wars Period, Pair of Partially-Printed Discharge Documents for a Black, “Buffalo Soldier” from the U.S. Army 24th Infantry, Choice Extremely Fine.
Two original Partly-Printed Documents dated September 1st, 1874, regarding the Military Discharge of “Pleasant Mayberry, Captain Lewis Johnson’s Company G of the 24th Regiment of Infantry, born in Murray County, in the State of Tennessee aged 21 years... Brown complexion... by occupation a Farmer... for Five years, who is now discharged by reason of S(pecial). O(rder). No 130...” The Final Statement shows monies due to and from this soldier, with the remark that Mayberry had been “Sentenced to be confined at hard labor for (6) six months, forfeiting his monthly pay for the same period..!” This Document measures 12.75” x 8.5”. The second document measures 11” x 8.5” and is a voucher detailing the balance paid to Jones upon his discharge, who adds his mark at bottom right. Both documents are Choice Extremely Fine. (2 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 and their bravery reminded the Indians of buffaloes on the Plains, they called the soldiers “Buffalo Soldiers.” This is a discharge for one of the soldiers of the 24th Infantry.