Lost Buffalo Soldier Found!

Posted April 27, 2010 at by Jeff Periera.

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Buffalo Soldier Found in Los Banos Cemetery!
Private James “Jim” Hall, has been resting  in Los Banos since 1955; he was recently “found” by local historian David Dieckmann who actually remembers him from his youth!

James Hall 1877-1955 - Photo By Geneva Brett

Private Hall, along with the other Buffalo Soldiers of the 24th  Infantry rested in Los Banos on day 7 of their 16 day journey from the Presidio to Sequoia National Park, where they served as park protectors for the summer.  Sometime thereafter this Buffalo Soldier made Los Banos his home …. we wonder if he fell in love with a lovely woman, or our town;-)   Imagine if you will, the year is 1899, a  22 year old “Negro” male from Maryland recently returned from fighting a war.  During his brief stay in Los Banos he must have noticed the local citizens; Germans, Portuguese, Mexicans, French, Dutch, Peruvian, Spanish, Chinese, Samoan, Filipino, Irish, Indonesians, Italians, Irish, Basque, Swedish, Scottish, Chilean,Armenian, Native Americans, Anglos and African Americans. Looking at that diversity he might have thought he could make a home for himself in such a community; here he could either fit in or just get by.  And so he did until his death.

Folks this is just 1 story of the Historic Trail!  David Dieckmann will be writing his story about Pvt Hall in the not too distant future. Thank you Ranger Shelton Johnson for providing us with the actual muster rolls of 1899, 1903 and 1904.