Slave to Soldier

Slave to Soldier, as told by Certified Oral Storytellers, follows one of the most improbable human journeys in our nation’s history. With roots in Missouri the stories of black men (and a woman), many formerly enslaved, joining the Army fifteen months after the Civil War as the first black Army Regulars in American history.

All Buffalo Soldiers presentations are in period uniforms from the Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War, Cuba being the only time all four black regiments of Buffalo Soldiers fought in a common battle. Find out how these soldiers got their famous nickname and from whom. How did a woman maintain a man’s life in service, in the Old West, undetected and who was she. Turns out she had seen more war than most men.

Discover all the famous units that derived from the Buffalo Soldiers from the Tuskegee Airmen to the 6888th Central Postal Battalion comprised of 855 women essential in getting the backlogged mail moving in the WWII European Theater, without any recognition. All programs are available in-person and virtually.

The Battle of Island Mound

Slavery has been characterized as a lack of will or discipline of a race of people, leaving the question would they fight? Africans and their descendants have fought in every war in American history. This opportunity to prove the fight or flight question was answered here on Missouri soil in October 1862. A quiet October day that changed history forever.

Outnumbered and inexperienced the black troops of the Kansas 1st Colored Infantry Regiment marched from Fort Scott, Kansas into Bates County, Missouri just west of Butler. This was a hotbed of Confederate Bushwhacker activity, especially Hog Island. What resulted was the first engagement of black troops against Confederate forces in the Civil War, months ahead of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Uncover the facts of this event and how the inexperienced soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored came to Missouri and ended up with the most improbable victory early in the Civil War. The Battle of Island Mound.