Black Seminole Indian Scouts

The Elijah Daniels Band of Seminole-Negroes came from Fort Duncan at Eagle Pass to Fort Clark during the summer of 1872 establishing a village below the fort along Las Moras Creek. These remarkable men, and their descendants, faithfully served the U.S. Army as scouts with uncommon gallantry for 42 years until the unit was disbanded in September of 1914. No scout was ever lost or wounded as a result of action with the enemy! Although the scouts never at any time mustered more than fifty men, four scouts won the congressional medal of honor for their conspicuous bravery and coolness under fire.

 

"It might as well be understood at once that no
distinction will be made in reference to color of soldiers
wearing the uniform of the United States."
- Lt. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan

courtesy - Fort Clark Museum - Brackettville, Texas

First Muster-In Roll Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts

The first Muster-in Roll of a group of ten individuals assigned to the Detachment of Seminole Negro Indian Scouts by authority of the Commanding Officer of the Department of Texas, dated Headquarters, Department of Texas, Austin, Texas 20 July 1870 from the sixteenth of August 1870 for the term of six months unless sooner discharged.

 

NAME RANK AGE
Kibbitts, John 1st Sergeant 60
Dixie, Joe Private 19
Factor, Dindie Private 21
Factor, Hardie Private 60
Factor, Pompie* Private 16
Fay, Adams Private 18
Kibbitts, Bobby Private 20
Thompson, John Private 18
Ward, John* Private 20
Washington, George Private 21
Wood, John Private 60

NOTE: The Detachment was mustered in at Fort Duncan, Texas
by Major Zenas R. Bliss, 25th Infantry Regiment.

* Subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor.

 

Muster Roll of 10.31.1898

Scouts were enlisted under 2nd Lt. E. H. Rubottom, 9th U.S. Cavalry

NAME RANK
July, Ben   1st Sergeant
July, John Lance Corporal
Clayton, Sie    Private
Daniels, Charles Private
Fay, Sandy Private
July, Billy Private
July, Fay Private
McClain, Adam Private
Payne, Charles Private
Payne, Isaac Private
Shields, William Private
Washington, Sam Private

                     
 Muster Roll of 12.31.1910

NAME RANK
July, Fay 1st Sergeant
Remo, Joe Sergeant
Carlino, Warrior Corporal
Daniel, Caesar Private
Daniels, John Private
Jefferson, Curley* Private
Jefferson, John Private
July, Billy Private
July, Charles J. Private
Kibbetts, George Private
Perryman, Ignacio Private
Sanchez, Antonio Private
Shields, John Private
Washington, Sam Private
Wilson, Billy Private
Wilson, Isaac Private
Wilson, William Private

*Curley Jefferson was the last living Seminole Negro Indian Scout, he died in 1959
 

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17 January 2008