Existing comment:
Presidio Garrison
On returning from the Philippine War in 1902, four 9th Cavalry companies were garrisoned at the Presidio of San Francisco until 1904. Garrison life was largely uneventful, consisting of the usual work details and guard mount. However, in the spring of 1903, these units were assigned two special missions. They were to patrol Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks over the summer, protecting them from logging, livestock grazing, poaching and fires. In addition, "I" Company was to serve as special escort to President Theodore Roosevelt during his California tour, the first time black troops were given this honor.
Theodore Roosevelt's relationship with his African American constituents was inconsistent. In 1904 Roosevelt raised hopes for racial equality when he invited educator Booker T. Washington to be the first black guest to dine at the White House. Then, in 1906 a small group of 25th Infantry soldiers were involved in an incident in which a civilian was killed and a police officer wounded at Brownsville, Texas. Unable to identify the guilty men, the Army, backed by President Roosevelt, dismissed without honor 167 black infantrymen, none of whom were found guilty of any wrongdoing. President Roosevelt backed the Army's decision. |