Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Raleigh, NC

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The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Raleigh is dedicated to preserving the history of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers, to serving our community, and establishing fellowship, brotherhood and sisterhood.  And doing all that with the joy and passion of motorcycle riding.

In 2009 what was to become the Buffalo Soldiers MC of Raleigh, the chapter was formed in Louisburg, NC.  Three years later the club officially moved to Raleigh.  In its 10 years of existence here in Raleigh the club has participated or hosted many events and rides in the area to support local charities and community service organizations.  Among those we support local food banks, veterans, children programs, and individuals through yearly academic scholarships.

At the core of any MC of course is riding.  And the Raleigh Buffalo Soldiers MC has a history of getting on the road and displaying our “colors”.   With road trips across the Southwest and as far as Arizona members of the Buffalo Soldiers ride together a minimum of 1500 miles a year but often much more.

The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Raleigh has a diverse membership that crosses gender and racial boundaries and as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is apolitical.  The club has grown from an original four members at its formation to about 35 today.

The club is a chapter of The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club and has its history as a primarily black MC with members who served in the military or law enforcement.

The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club was an idea started by one man in Chicago with a passion for riding and a vision for what a Motorcycle Club should be.  The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club was about riding; but it was also about doing good community service and above all paying respect to the men of 9th and 10th US Cavalry formed just after the Civil War in 1866.  They honor a piece of American history. When riding a club member is a “soldier” which is a constant reminder that you not only represent the club you also represent and pay tribute to something much larger. As a primarily black MC there was a natural affinity to honor the black regiments who in 1866 came into being carrying the burden of war and the burden of a fight against racism, bigotry, intolerance and ignorance. They confronted both. 

It was back in 1993 when that man’s vision became a reality and the first MC was formed. When more “Buffalo Soldiers” clubs started, forming both in Chicago and in other cities and states, an effort was made to unify the MCs and in 1999 the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club was born.

In 1866, Congress passed the Army Organization Act.   Due to this six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments were created with the task to help control the Native Americans, capture cattle rustlers and thieves, protect settlers, stagecoaches, wagon trains along the Western front and were sworn to serve and protect the Western Frontier after the Civil War.  When finally organized this act resulted in the creation of the 9th and 10th cavalry regiments and the 24th and 25th infantry regiments. 

While details are often debated it is agreed that the name “Buffalo Soldiers” was given by American Indians to the men of the 10th cavalry as a term of respect.  “Buffalo Soldiers” was then adopted by both the 9th and 10th cavalry as their official nickname.  

Theirs is an often un-told or under-told story of success, dedication and bravery.  The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club attempts to highlight their contributions by adopting their nickname and telling their story. 

The 9th Cavalry Regiment started in New Orleans, Louisiana in the months of August and September of 1866 and were ordered to San Antonio, Texas in April 1867. Their main mission was to secure the road from San Antonio to El Paso Texas. This happened in April 1867. At this point they were ready to face the unsettled landscape of West Texas.  

The soldiers main mission was to restore and maintain order to areas with high Native American concentration. Ironically, these Black soldiers were facing their own forms of discrimination while being asked to discipline and possibly remove another minority group. While serving under the same government that was discriminating against them.  

The 10th Cavalry Regiment was based in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and was slower to gather troops due to an outbreak of cholera in the summer of 1867 and due to the fact that Colonel Benjamin Grierson waned more educated men in the regiment which meant a more stringent vetting process.  

In the month of August 1867, the regiment was given the task of protecting the Pacific Railroad which had been under construction during the time. Of the many battles this regiment would see, one started even before they left Fort Leavenworth. It was a battle that saw the troops having to fight hundreds of Cheyenne in two separate battles. The cavalry only lost one man despite having inferior equipment and being greatly outnumbered. 

Importance and Contributions  

• About 20 percent of U.S Cavalry troops in the Indian Wars were Buffalo Soldiers.  
• Critical in successfully winning battles against the Kiowa, the Comanche, the Cheyenne, and the Arapahoe. 
• Buffalo Soldiers protected and fought wildfires and poachers in Yosemite and Sequoia national parks and serve as park rangers in Sierra Nevada during the summer months.  
• In addition to the Indian Wars they fought in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War and the Mexican Expedition. 
• Taught horsemanship to cadets at West Point. 
• The 9th and 10th were deactivated in May 1944.