|
In 1866, Congress passed a bill reorganizing the US Army. Two US cavalry regiments (the Ninth and Tenth) and four infantry regiments were designated for blacks.
The Indians called them
"Buffalo Soldiers" because their hair resembled the fur of the
buffalo & in recognition of their fighting spirit.
The Ninth Cavalry was stationed at Fort Stanton to control the Apache Indians.
The fort was commanded at one time by Kit Carson. Black Jack Pershing was stationed there on two occasions. Since it closed as an army post, Fort Stanton has been used as a hospital, a school and a correctional facility.
For the past few years, there has been a major local effort to preserve Ft. Stanton as a historic site. A museum, on the grounds, opened in June, 1997.
Ft. Stanton is
about 25 miles from Ruidoso on the way to Lincoln.
|
