Distinctly Montana Magazine

21 w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m the wagon road in loose sand ankle deep, and the corps thereaf- ter followed the railroad track for 170 miles, before they got out of the sand… The alkali water was abominable and the heat ter- rific." On July 7 the temperature hit 110. The handlebars burned through their gloves and over half of the corps were sick, two soldiers having their feet badly blistered from the burning sand. Finally, on July 16, the bicycle corps reached Rubo, and took a ferry across the Missouri River and into Missouri. Up until this time, the Corps of Buffalo Soldier Wheelmen were greeted cordially by townspeople and country folk alike. They were offered food, water and even drinks along their way. Their experiences in Missouri stood in stark contrast. Missouri had sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War. Despite 40-plus years since the war, many still harbored hostile attitudes toward black soldiers and a Union militia passing through their territory, especially in the countryside. Furthering the darkness of this stretch, Moss described the Missouri roads as the worst of the trip. They rode in furnace-like heat and still lacked regular supplies of good water. Everyone was fatigued to the point of exhaustion while pedaling the last few days. Finally, on Saturday, July 24th, the corps entered St. Louis. Nearly 1,000 St. Louis wheelmen rode out to meet and escort them into the city where they received a grand welcome from a crowd of 10,000. Notably, no army officers from the local gar- rison were present. They made their way through the crowds to the Cottage Hotel in Forest Park where the corps camped and finally rested. Moss issued the final order to his men: "Our trip has ended. Thank you for your fortitude. You will now rest your wheels and fall in for mess." They had traveled 1,900 miles in 35 days plus six days of rest, averaging six miles per hour. The hardships they endured are unimaginable by today's standards. The 25th left Fort Missoula the following April to be one of the first regiments deployed to Cuba where it distinguished itself in bat- tle during the Spanish American War, even backing up Roosevelt's famous charge up San Juan Hill. They would continue to honorably serve their country until the regiment was deactivated in 1947. This was followed in 1948 by President Truman's executive order which abolished segregation and discrimination "on the basis of race, col- or, religion or national origin" in the United States Armed Forces. Missoulians postponed Easter services to gather one final time to escort the 25th through town. Boos would write: "The fortunes of the men will be followed with intense interest by the people of Mis- soula who are satisfied that though it is a dark regiment, not a white feather of surrender will be shown." Among other accomplishments, Moss would become a strong advocate for the establishment of June 14th as Flag Day, mark- ing the adoption of Old Glory on June 14th, 1777. Coincidental- ly, June 14th was also the day the corps set out from Missoula for St. Louis. So June 14th is a fitting day to not only honor our flag, but to also remember that amazing ride of Lt. Moss and the 25th Infantry Regiment, the "Buffalo Soldier Wheelmen." B E S T TAT T O O S H O P (406) 586-6404 eastmainink.com 1325 E. Main St. Bozeman, MT 2022-24 of B E S T M O N TA N A A S V O T E D B Y R E A D E R S O F Y E A R S WO N W I N N E R !

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