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This
Web Site is largely the result of the foresight of Mr. Anthony Powell to
collect, catalog and preserve literally hundreds of rare and unusual
photographic images of African American men in the service of the United
States Army. Mr. Powell recalls hearing the stories of the
battle of San Juan Hill, and how the black soldiers of the 9th and 10th
Cavalry and 24th Infantry were among the American troops who charged up
San Juan Hill, for which Teddy Roosevelt would get the ultimate
acclaim. Powell's grandfather knew the story well, for
he was one of the African American soldiers who served in the Spanish
American War and often said that, sadly, Americans remember Teddy Roosevelt
in relation to San Juan Hill
but have forgotten or ignored the African American soldier who really
won the battle and carried the day.
Mr.
Powell began
seeking out his grandfather's friends, asking
each the question, "What
was it like to be a black man in the Army so long ago?" They
spoke of racism, prejudice and the heartbreak of
the little things done to the black man
to make him feel that America could
never be his country. They further
recalled the pride of the uniform - the pride of
the camaraderie, the brotherhood and
the friendship of the black comrade in
arms.
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One old soldier who
had served over 44 years in the Army wrote, on
an old photograph of the non-commissioned
officers of L Troop 9th Cavalry,:
"It has been 53 years since this picture
was taken, yet I remember the names and cherish
the memory of these comrades. They were the pure
in heart." Moved by such stories and pictures that reflect
that pride, Powell has dedicated his life to the preservation of that
collective memory. This dedication led to a collaboration with
the Presidio Army Museum, under the
directorship of Mr. Eric
Saul and the administration of Lt Col, Donald R. Sims, to
mount a photographic exhibit honoring the 200
year history of the African American soldier in
the US Army - "Ready And
Forward". " Ready And Forward", the
first of its kind was dedicated at the
Presidio Army Museum on February 9, 1980. One
year later The Golden Gate National Recreation
Area installed the exhibition at Fort Point. As a result, thousands
of people had the opportunity to view this unique exhibition.
In 1986 Mr. Powell worked with the California Afro American
Museum on the exhibition "To Prove Our Worth, The Irony of the
Black Military Experience 1861 to
1975," In 1993-94 the Smithsonian
Institution exhibited the "Buffalo Soldiers," using
photographs loaned by Powell from his rare
and extensive collection. |
