Colored Soldiers in Battle
July 23, 1898
Summary
The Planet provides a brief description of the successes of the African American soldiers in Cuba.
Transcription
[Baltimore, Md., Morning Herald.]
It did not need demonstration which took place at the brief but desperate battle of La Quasina to prove the valor of the colored troops. Even as far back as 85 years ago. During the Civil War, it was satisfactorily shown that colored men, under proper discipline, made efficient soldiers, and the memorable report of General Butler that, “the colored troops fought nobly” was not an empty compliment.
According to authentic accounts of the La Quasina engagement, it was the gallant interposition of the Tenth United States Cavalry, colored, which probably saved the Rough Riders from annihilation, and which enabled them to drive the Spaniards from their strong ambushed position.
The testimony of the commanding officers and of all the observers was to the effect that the Tenth Cavalry made a brilliant dash and stood to its colored manfully, manifesting conspicuous evidence of personal courage and splendid training.
Whatever may be the racial prejudices against the colored segment of our population, they are not strong enough in any quarter to obscure the public appreciation of the fact that the colored citizen makes an admirable soldier in many respects. In physical development, he meets every military requirement, his powers of endurance are in no wise inferior, and he has the adventurous spirit which fits him for life on the tented field.
Of the 70,000,000 people of our great Republic over 7,000,00 are colored, and it is gratifying to know that this formidable element is proving its value in periods of public peril.
The American people are fair-minded, and they delight to give honor where honor is due. They applaud the valor of the Tenth Cavalry as heartily as the heroic dash of the Rough Riders.
In this free and enlightened country the paths of glory are open to all alike.
It did not need demonstration which took place at the brief but desperate battle of La Quasina to prove the valor of the colored troops. Even as far back as 85 years ago. During the Civil War, it was satisfactorily shown that colored men, under proper discipline, made efficient soldiers, and the memorable report of General Butler that, “the colored troops fought nobly” was not an empty compliment.
According to authentic accounts of the La Quasina engagement, it was the gallant interposition of the Tenth United States Cavalry, colored, which probably saved the Rough Riders from annihilation, and which enabled them to drive the Spaniards from their strong ambushed position.
The testimony of the commanding officers and of all the observers was to the effect that the Tenth Cavalry made a brilliant dash and stood to its colored manfully, manifesting conspicuous evidence of personal courage and splendid training.
Whatever may be the racial prejudices against the colored segment of our population, they are not strong enough in any quarter to obscure the public appreciation of the fact that the colored citizen makes an admirable soldier in many respects. In physical development, he meets every military requirement, his powers of endurance are in no wise inferior, and he has the adventurous spirit which fits him for life on the tented field.
Of the 70,000,000 people of our great Republic over 7,000,00 are colored, and it is gratifying to know that this formidable element is proving its value in periods of public peril.
The American people are fair-minded, and they delight to give honor where honor is due. They applaud the valor of the Tenth Cavalry as heartily as the heroic dash of the Rough Riders.
In this free and enlightened country the paths of glory are open to all alike.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cali Hughes
Citation
“Colored Soldiers in Battle,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 18, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1458.