Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers

Wilberforce, Ohio

First African-American colonel in the U.S. Army.

In 1866, Congress created six regiments of African-American soldiers who soon became known as Buffalo Soldiers to the Plains Indians they fought due to the resemblance of their dark, curly hair to that of a buffalo's.  Charles Young, the first African American to achieve the rank of colonel in the U.S. army, distinguished himself throughout his military career with the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalries, and the 25th Infantry.

Young was the third African American to graduate from West Point.  Early in his career in 1894, he served as an instructor of military science and tactics at Wilberforce University.  That same year, he purchased a large house about a mile from the campus which he named “Youngsholm.”  The house was once used as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Also in Wilberforce on the campus of Central State University is the National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center.