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From 1867 to 1890, the unit saw constant field duty. Law and order were little more than a hope in the post-Civil War southwest, and civil authorities consistently relied upon the aid of the Army in rounding up undesirables who were the cause of many disturbances that could not he handled by local authorities. The all too common result was the cavalry to the rescue - and the 9th answered the call.In 1875, the 9th Cavalry's headquarters moved to New Mexico. 1881 brought about yet another move, this time to Fort Riley, Kansas where it was assigned the unpopular task of keeping settlers out of Indian territory. Four years later, the headquarters was moved to Fort McKinney, Washington. Studded with 15 Medals of Honor received between 1870 and 1890, the 9th left an enviable campaign record in the legacy of the frontier.In Cuba, the 9th again rose to the occasion as it captured one of the Spanish blockhouses at Santiago. Consequently, the blockhouse appears on the regimental crest. Like their brothers of the loth1 the 9th was in the thick of the action during the charge up San Juan Hill.
9TH CAVALRY LINEAGE AND CAMPAIGNSMost of the 9th's officers and enlisted men came from colored volunteer regiments of the Civil War. The rest were recruits from the local area. Army recruiters centered their efforts on the nearby city of New Orleans and had no problem enlisting Negro men to fill the ranks of the Regiment. These men were eager to sign up because the Army offered them a chance to better themselves both economically and socially.Thirteen dollars a month, a place to live, food and clothing were considered a golden opportunity, knowing the alternative was trying to advance in a society all but closed to them. The soldiers of the 9th worked hard at discipline and organization throughout the winter of 1866 after their organization in August of that year.In addition to Louisiana, recruits came from such places as Virginia1 South Carolina, Kentucky and Texas. They joined in such numbers that there were not enough officers to train them, nor was there enough work to keep them busy even at routine tasks. Despite the shortage of officers, Edward Hatch, the first colonel of the regiment, managed to organize all twelve companies of the regiment by February 1867. On March 13, 1867, the 9th received orders to proceed to Headquarters, Department of Texas in San Antonio. From there, the companies of the regiment were sent to man various small forts in south and west Texas, while the regimental headquarters was dispatched to Fort Davis, Texas. Their duties were to protect settlers from numerous bands of Commanche, Apache, Kickapoo, and Lipan Indians, and lawless banditos and gun smugglers.MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
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