On Buffalo Soldiers Day, commemorating the history-making Iron Riders

2022-07-28T08:25:10-04:00

The Buffalo Soldiers became known for their exceptional military horsemanship and other battlefield skills while serving in U.S. Army calvary and infantry regiments in the post-Civil War period.

Yet toward the turn of a new century 125 years ago, a 20-men contingent of these all-Black soldiers made even more history by mounting not horses but bikes in what would become a record-breaking five-state, 41-day ride through the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains.

They were the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps and had volunteered to evaluate for the Army the utility of the bicycle for military use, said Kevin Smith, a Missouri State Parks (MSP) interpreter, in a July 5 video.

Setting out in June 1897 from Fort Missoula, Montana on the arduous 1,900-mile journey to St. Louis, the soldiers more than earned their nickname, “Iron Riders.”

Under command of a White officer named Lt. James A. Moss, the soldiers rode for nearly six weeks on bare-bones Spalding military gear bikes. Almost all were loaded with nearly 60 pounds of provisions and carried a rifle, according to “Iron Riders, The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps,” a multi-article account of the trip written for the National Archives’ website by retired senior archivist Dr. Greg Bradsher.

A grueling ride

Most were experienced cyclists, noted Bradsher — five had completed a shorter ride to Yellowstone Park the previous year.

Despite their qualifications, the riders faced grueling conditions as they traversed Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri, which Bradsher reported was the route east, along the Northern Pacific Railroad and southeast, along the Burlington Railroad Line.

“The riders encountered a spectrum of hardships during their 41-day trek, everything from freezing temperatures to sweltering heat, contaminated water, sickness, food shortages, racism and discrimination,” added Smith.

These and other details from the famous journey appeared in newspapers around the country, informed by dispatches from official corps reporter and photographer Edward H. Boos. Bradsher noted that Boos was an experienced reporter for the Daily Missoulian, his father’s newspaper, and an avid cyclist in the League of American Wheelman.

A test of bike versus horse

Although some European armies at the time employed military bicycles to transport troops, carry messages, perform scouts and conduct other military tasks, the U.S. Army had yet to roll them into service. That’s until the early 1890s, Bradsher wrote, when Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles urged the Army to test the military utility of the two-wheeled machines, especially compared with four-legged animals.

“On October 21, 1891, the New York Times carried a story in which Miles stated his interest in bicycle couriers for the U.S. Army,” Bradsher said in the article. “(Miles) noted that the bicycle was quiet, reliable, and unlike horses did not have to be fed and watered.”

When he rose to the rank of commanding general of the Army in 1895, Bradsher noted, Miles recommended in a report to the Secretary of War that the service form a regiment equipped with trained bicyclists and motor wagon (i.e., early gas-powered cars) drivers. Bradsher said that Miles further recommended that Army troops stationed around the country conduct practice marches and reconnaissance tours to “obtain a thorough knowledge of their own country especially the topographical features, condition of roads, sources of supplies, and all information of military importance.”

The following year, Moss had separately requested to conduct military experiments with bikes, Bradsher wrote, and within two months of receiving approval, formed the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps outfitted with donated bikes from the Spalding Bicycle Company in Massachusetts.

Moss wanted to assess the bikes in the most trying conditions to leave no doubt they could be used anywhere, said Bradsher. And Buffalo Soldiers had experience operating on Rocky Mountain and other Western terrain from their service in the Indian War campaigns from 1866-1892 and in actions such as the Red River War in 1874, according to other reports by the National Archives and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

After recruiting the 20 men, chosen for reliability, conditioning and cycling experience, Bradsher wrote that Moss divided the corps into two squads, led by William Haynes and Abram Martin, lance corporals. They served under the detachment’s acting 1st Sgt. Mingo Sanders.

The riders carried food supplies for two days, aiming to go 50 miles per day, and restoring with provisions set out along the way. When they stalled navigating rough terrain such as deep waters, heavy mud and steep grades or extreme weather such as heavy snow, drenching rains and high heat, they biked on empty stomachs. Many were sickened by contaminated water sources, added author Caelen Anacker in her Aug. 12, 2018, account for Black Past, “25th Infantry Bicycle Corps (1896-97).”

A welcoming arrival

“In spite of these challenges,” said Smith, “the Iron Riders successfully reached their final destination in St. Louis on July 24th and were welcomed by a crowd of a thousand cyclists who escorted them through the mass of cheering spectators into Forest Park.”

Moss later said in reports that the corps performed beyond expectations, commending the soldiers’ “spirit, pluck and fine soldierly qualities.” Moss said they proved that the bicycle had advantages over horses for use in the military, Bradsher wrote. (Some militaries are still finding ways to deploy bikes on the battlefield, according to this 2021 iNews report, https://inews.co.uk/news/combat-e-bikes-special-forces-bicycles-enemy-jeep-polaris-dsei-london-1203268.)

During July, Missouri State Parks, Kansas City Alexander Madison Buffalo Soldiers Organization and others commemorated the Iron Riders’ accomplishments during a series of events held at stops along the historic route.

Learn more
• Watch: Missouri State Parks video, July 5, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqOuXk1Yy_0

• Read: “Iron Riders, The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps,” a blog series published in 2022, https://rediscovering-black-history.blogs.archives.gov/tag/iron-riders

• Read: “25th Infantry Bicycle Corps (1896-97),” Black Past, Aug. 12, 2018, https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/25th-infantry-bicycle-corp-1896-97

• Read: “Iron Riders: The Story of the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps,” Missouri State Parks, https://mostateparks.com/ironriders

combat-e-bikes-special-forces-bicycles-enemy-jeep-polaris-dsei-london-1203268.)

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Jul 28 at 2022 8:37 AM

2022-07-28T08:37:19-04:00

Wow. How fun is history! Thanks for sharing this one, RP.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jul 28 at 2022 8:37 AM

2022-07-28T08:37:24-04:00

Thanks for the share/read.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 29 at 2022 11:21 AM

2022-07-29T11:21:20-04:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by PO1 Sam Deel made Jul 30 at 2022 2:11 PM

2022-07-30T14:11:34-04:00

Will they be commemorated for being used as cannon fodder? Memphis siege, Pulaski battlefield were prime examples.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2022 2:18 AM

2022-07-31T02:18:21-04:00

Never received their earned due...

Response by CPT Kimberley McDaniel made Jul 31 at 2022 7:45 PM

2022-07-31T19:45:07-04:00

Very enlightening. Thank you for the research and keeping history alive.

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2022 10:15 PM

2022-08-07T22:15:07-04:00

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Response by Sgt Robert Burlison made Aug 18 at 2022 12:24 AM

2022-08-18T00:24:42-04:00

Hello, I just wanted to tell you that my great, great grandmother Cordelia L. Revelle had a grandfather. Well Ok we ALL had one, but her grandpa was also this man's grandpa... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgbwNZ-piZs Photo or rather being allowed so close due to my work was my foot in the door to being considered for Director of the DOD.

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Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 25 at 2022 11:21 PM

2022-08-25T23:21:02-04:00

These were heros who have forgotten in our society. Their contributions have not been what should have been this one of our dark dark legacy of unfair treatment for their efforts

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 6 at 2022 8:32 PM

2022-09-06T20:32:55-04:00

Another group that does not get enough credit.Their saga is not even taught in history

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 6 at 2022 8:36 PM

2022-09-06T20:36:45-04:00

It's seems like many aspects of our history and heritage are forgotten and or ignored by those who write our textbooks

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 18 at 2022 4:50 AM

2022-09-18T04:50:08-04:00

thanks for sharing.

Response by PO3 Justin Bowen made Oct 4 at 2022 9:57 PM

2022-10-04T21:57:49-04:00

The acknowledgement of the existence of the Buffalo Soldiers is due almost entirely to the work of one man: Ranger Shelton Johnson. He's done more for their story than anyone and should also be acknowledged in some way.

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Jan 4 at 2023 6:07 PM

2023-01-04T18:07:42-05:00

The Buffalo Soldiers deserve much more recognition for their awesome selfless service to our country!