Buffalo Soldiers tell essential story of Peña Adobe Park – Times Herald Online

Buffalo Soldier Oscar Russell poses in uniform next to an authentic encampment from the 1800s, when the Buffalo Soldiers were formed. The Buffalo Soldiers participated in the open house at Pena Adobe Park on July 6. (Karenna Meyer/Vacaville Reporter)

History was alive and well at Peña Adobe Park in Vacaville Saturday afternoon.

Visitors who braved 100-degree temperatures for the Peña Adobe Historical Society’s monthly open house were rewarded with the rich oral and visual tradition of the Buffalo Soldiers.

The Sacramento-based living history group — the 10th Cavalry, Company G of Northern California — invited visitors to step into history, with an authentic campsite, official uniforms and gear from the 1800s.

Accompanied by members of the Sheriffs’ Posse on horseback and Solano County Master Gardeners, the event marked the Buffalo Soldiers’ fourth annual visit to Peña Adobe Park.

Despite the event’s proximity to the holiday weekend, Buffalo Soldier and military veteran Oscar Russell said, “July 4th doesn’t have to be the day we go out.”

The group performs throughout the year at various events, educating youth and the community about the six black cavalry units that served in the Wild West from 1866 to 1891. In addition to donning the uniforms, storytelling is a key aspect of the group, continuing the oral tradition that black communities used in the 1800s.

Oral tradition tells that Buffalo Soldiers were named by Native Americans who saw a resemblance between their curly hair and the buffalo’s fur. The Living History group recounts these legends along with historical facts, including how troops of the 9th Cavalry patrolled national parks before the National Parks Service existed.

Private Ivey, an Army veteran and 18-year Buffalo Soldier, tells visitors, “My family says—and this means a lot in our culture—that my grandfather was a Buffalo Soldier.” Although Ivey has discharge papers proving his grandfather was in the Army, the question of whether or not he was a Buffalo Soldier is left to oral tradition.

“We’re here to tell those stories by word of mouth,” says Russell, a member of the group for seven years. “Those stories that aren’t taught in schools.”

The group’s involvement with young people is particularly important to Russell, who says his motivation is to provide hope.

“Look at your history,” he advises children. “To know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve come from.”

Russell finds similar comfort in his participation in the living history group. “It gives me comfort,” Russell said. It wasn’t until after serving in Iraq that Russell traced his own family history back to the Buffalo Soldiers.

“I’m a soldier who feels I can relate to the Buffalo Soldiers and their trials and tribulations from war to peace,” he said.