Archive for September, 2009

Yosemite’s Buffalo Soldiers

Posted September 16, 2009 at by Jeff Periera.

Category: Documentary
Tags: ken burns, pbs, shelton johnson, yosemite

Ranger Shelton Johnson of Yosemite National Park takes visitors on a journey of Buffalo Soldier history, through music and story. While taking on the persona of a turn of the last century Buffalo Soldier, Ranger Johnson engages visitors with a friendly easy going but compelling demeanor. This PBS documentary is a must for anyone who has a interest or passion for American History and our National Parks! It debuts September 27th, 2009 at 9 pm here in the Central Valley.

Shelton’s fictional account of the character he portrays is entitled “Gloryland”; it became available in bookstores September 1, 2009.

Ranger Shelton Johnson was part of the Buffalo Soldier’s Passport to the Past Presentation at the 2008 Henry Miller Wild West Weekend , a festival celebrating over 100 years of cultural diversity in Los Banos.

Yosemite National Park is a place with much beauty and is steeped in national history. It’s somewhere that needs to be physically experienced to be fully appreciated. Much like how staying in historical hotels in manchester is a must if you want to experience real English culture in Manchester, if you want a real Yosemite experience you should camp or stay at the Yosemite lodge. Hearing Shelton’s story on Buffalo Soldiers is a must for completing your Yosemite experience.

“The Ledger Independent”

Posted September 3, 2009 at by Geneva Brett, VP.

Category: Uncategorized

An article on Col Young and LBBS effort

The Buffalo Soldiers Community Suppport Group (with members nationwide) was created in the Spring of 2008. Both our membership and our efforts to bring the history of the American Veterans known as Buffalo Soldiers to the forefront have more than doubled since then. One of our members, Jerry Gore, informed “The Ledger Independent” ( a newspaper from Charles Young’s birth county) of our efforts and petition to promote Colonel Young to Brigadier General.

The result is the linked article ”Reevaluating Charles Denton Young’s service to America” by News Editor Marla Toncray. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to The Ledger Independent and Ms. Toncray.

Please note the following corrections to the article:

Charles Young’s ties to Los Banos dates to 1903, when Young and his soldiers traveled by horseback from San Francisco to Sequoia National Park; Los Banos was a resting spot for the men during the 16 day trek said Brett.

At the time, Young served as captain of the 9^th Cavalry at the Presidio in San Francisco and was appointed acting superintendent of Sequoia National Park.

According to Brett, later when President Theodore Roosevelt visited San Francisco on May 16, 1903, he specifically requested the 9^thCavalry Buffalo Soldiers stationed at the Presidio to be his presidential escort.

Brett said one of Young’s other accomplishments as superintendent of Sequoia National Park was the purchase of additional land to enlarge and protect the park.