Edward 'Sancho' Mazique

Edward ‘Sancho’ Mazique

Public Domain

Quick Facts

Significance:

Buffalo Soldier in the Tenth Cavalry

Place of Birth:

Columbia, South Carolina

Date of Birth:

June 10, 1849

Place of Death:

San Angelo, Texas

Date of Death:

April 20, 1951

Place of Burial:

San Angelo, Texas.

Cemetery Name:

Fairmont Cemetery

Edward ‘Sancho’ Mazique was born enslaved on June 10, 1849, in Columbia, South Carolina. From 1851 until the end of the Civil War Mazique, his mother and six siblings were enslaved by Dr. Edward Fleming in Spartanburg, South Carolina. After the war Mazique returned to Columbia.

Edward Mazique enlisted in the army on February 23, 1875 at the age of 25. He was assigned to E Troop, Tenth Cavalry. He listed his previous occupation as a carpenter. Mazique was sent to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, Missouri to receive training before being transferred to Fort Concho, Texas. He arrived at Fort Concho in July of 1875.

Upon his arrival, Mazique was assigned to the Quartermaster's carpentry shop. Because of his unique assignment, Mazique was not sent into the field for any duty and was paid an extra $10.60 a month. He also played in the Tenth Cavalry band under the direction of bandmaster Lt. Robert Smither.

Mazique was on good terms with the post commander Colonel Benjamin Grierson. Sometimes, he would go hunting and give Mrs. Alice Grierson whatever he killed that day. He was present when Edith Grierson, the daughter of Colonel and Mrs. Grierson, died on September 9, 1878. He remembered her singing, "Oh, happy day when Jesus washed my sins away." Mazique helped to construct the coffin for her burial. She was buried at the center of Fairmont Cemetery near Fort Concho in San Angelo, Texas.

Edward Mazique was honorably discharged on February 24, 1880, at Fort Concho. He remained in San Angelo, Texas, and married Alice Johnson. He found work as a carpenter and helped build many of the new buildings popping up in town. When work as a carpenter was slow, he worked at nearby ranches as a cowboy and cook. He traveled as far as New Mexico to find work but he always returned to San Angelo, Texas.

Mazique retired as a cook at the Sugg Ranch in 1931, to take care of his sick wife, Alice, who died on October 15, 1948. 

On April 20, 1951, Edward Mazique died in a local hospital at the age of 101. Mazique fell and fractured his arm and while in the hospital he contracted pneumonia. The funeral services were conducted by Reverend L.C.Young of St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Edward Mazique had witnessed the transformation of San Angelo from a rough town of huts into a respectable city of over 60,00 people. He was buried at Fairmont Cemetery in San Angelo, Texas.