“I am Also Entitled to be Recognized”: The Life and Journey of Moses Williams, Buffalo Soldier

This program, presented by Gregory P. Shine, will explore the life, military service, and Pacific Northwest connections of Sgt. Moses Williams – a decorated Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor recipient – and share new research that sheds light on key turning points in Williams’ fascinating journey throughout the American West. Williams, a nineteenth century U.S. Army soldier who served in the Ninth Cavalry – one of four all-African American regiments known as Buffalo Soldiers – is buried at the Vancouver Barracks post cemetery, and his journey from rural Louisiana through assignments at remote forts in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oregon reveals much about the history of our nation and the American West.

To learn more about Moses Williams, the Buffalo Soldiers in the Pacific Northwest, the history of Blacks in Oregon, and related topics, visit the Oregon Encyclopedia online at https://oregonencyclopedia.org

Gregory P. Shine is a historian, writer and educator who has been researching, writing, and presenting Buffalo Soldier history for nearly 30 years. Greg has worked for the Department of the Interior for over 28 years and has also been an affiliated scholar in the History Department at Portland State University since 2006. For fourteen years he served as the chief ranger and historian at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Greg is a member of the editorial board of the Oregon Encyclopedia, a board member of the Friends of Fort Vancouver, and a popular speaker on topics related to Pacific Northwest history, including the Buffalo Soldiers. The author of numerous publications, Greg has also contributed to and appeared on episodes of PBS's History Detectives and OPB's Oregon Experience and is a consulting historian to the documentary film Buffalo Soldiers of the Pacific Northwest now in production. 

This event is hosted by the Oregon Encyclopedia, the Friends of Fort Vancouver, and the National Park Service at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, 1501 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661

Schedule

Contact Information

Friends of Fort Vancouver
(360) 816-6216

Event Type

• Talk