FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas — Working to better educate the Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, community on the historical significance of Black soldiers as part of the 10th Cavalry, Dr. Kate Dahlstrand, historian and team chief at Army University Press, lectured on her research findings July 25, 2025, at the Frontier Conference Center.
Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr., Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth commanding general, introduced Dahlstrand.
“Buffalo Soldier Day has always been about honoring the past, but today, by design, we shift from celebration to education,” Beagle said. “Those keywords, not to lose the spirit of reverence but to deepen, and not to replace tradition but to reinforce insight. Remembering without understanding is just nostalgia. Remembering to understand is legacy.”
Dahlstrand began her lecture focusing on where Black soldiers in the late 1800s were stationed and why the 10th Cavalry Regiment was split into multiple, smaller elements for training support.
“Robust and successful Black civilian communities could provide support, services and safety outside of the military sphere. Fort Leavenworth, then, was an ideal space for 10th Cavalry to work, serve and live a life; especially compared to the alternative: military bases situated near predominantly white and notably hostile communities that enforced segregation through threat, violence and intimidation,” Dahlstrand said.
She added, however, that despite efforts made to place Black soldiers in communities where they would receive the best treatment, these soldiers failed to receive recognition for their service.
“After the First World War, Black soldiers throughout the U.S. military returned home to a country that did not acknowledge their contributions to the war effort,” she said.
She said although Fort Leavenworth allowed for Black soldiers to serve without “constant fear of violence based on the color of (their) skin,” Black soldiers still faced discrimination within the community.
“First, 10th Cavalry soldiers were barred from purchasing tobacco products from the PX, the men were ‘only’ allowed to purchase tobacco from the 10th Cavalry Club, which was only open for two-and-a-half hours during the middle of the workday and closed on weekends and holidays,” Dahlstrand said.
She also shared instances regarding bathroom facility policies that barred Black community members from using them, limited dining options for 10th Cavalry soldiers, the banning of Black soldiers from using the swimming pools and banning of Black children from attending schools on the installation, and more.
Dahlstrand emphasized the role baseball teams served for the members of the 10th Cavalry.
“Tenth Cavalry played baseball. Here, they played at a baseball diamond located where Munson (Army Health) Center is today,” Dahlstrand said. “They were incredible, and just miles away from the Kansas City Monarchs and a destination for barnstormers, exhibition games and regional clubs.”
Dahlstrand shared that often the 10th Cavalry soldiers would play against other Buffalo Soldier teams. She noted that these games were seen as opportunities for soldiers and their families to socialize.
“Baseball served to demonstrate skill, develop esprit de corps and unit pride, as well as endear soldiers to a sports community that invited exhibitions and series. They also fostered strong relations throughout the local communities who watched and kept score,” she said.
In addition to the lecture on Dahlstrand’s findings, historical items associated with the 10th Cavalry were on display, including a 10th Cavalry enlisted dress coat and a 1926 football game ticket for a game between Black soldiers.
During the question-and-answer session following the lecture, audience members, comprised primarily of active-duty soldiers and veterans, asked for more information about Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and historical photographs presented during the lecture.
Veteran Robert Stevenson shared some of his own experiences with Dahlstrand. He served with some of the first troops in Europe to integrate in 1952. He served in both the Army and the Air Force for more than 20 years.
Beagle said that the lecture was an important way for community members to better understand and share a historically accurate truth with others.
“There's a difference between telling a good story and telling a great story filled with relevant facts and context,” Beagle said. “Context in today's information age, we're past the point of everyone owning their own opinions. In today's information age, everyone owns their own facts — experts and expertise help us close that gap.”
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