Initial recruiting efforts concentrated on filling recruitment quotas with little regard for the recruit's capability and soldiering skills. These recruits had to be discharged and replaced, causing a delay in some regiments arriving at their assigned posts."

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The Order to Create the Twenty-fifth Infantry Band.

Order creating the 25th Infantry Band. Courtesy Fort McKavett.

Michael A. Truber's 1st Enlistment as Head Musician. Courtesy of Ned Braatz.

The order to create the Twenty-fifth Infantry included the creation of its band. The band's first Head Musician was Michael A. Truber, who like Captain Schooley served in the Civil War. Truber served in the 25th Infantry for 13 years.

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"Colonel (and Bvt. Major-General) Mower was commanding the Department of Louisiana with headquarters at New Orleans; Lieutenant-Colonel (and Bvt. Brigadier General) Hinks commanded the regiment with headquarters, Companies D, G and K, at Jackson Barracks, La.; Major (and Bvt. Lieut.-Col.) Bliss with Companies E, F and I garrisoned Ship Island, Miss.; Company A was at Fort Pike; La.; Companies B and H at Fort Jackson, La.; Company C at Fort St. Philip, La. By the end of the year, 532 men had been discharged by expiration of service alone, and as little recruiting was done, the effective had fallen to about 500 men, from which it has not since varied materially.

General Mower died at New Orleans January 6, 1870, and was succeeded by Colonel (and Bvt. Major General) J. J. Reynolds who was placed in command of the Department of Texas the following April, without having joined the regiment. In May, 1870, the regiment was on its way to that department, going by steamer to Indianola, Texas, thence marching to San Antonio. Colonel Bliss with Companies B, C and G arrived at the latter place on June 3 and encamped at San Pedro Springs where they were joined by the rest of the regiment, under General Hinks, on the 9th. The march to stations began June 22d. The main body took the Fort Clark road, while Companies C and H diverged on the road to Fort McKavett. At Rio Frio, Companies E and I marched for Fort Duncan, under Colonel Bliss. July found Headquarters, Companies D and F established at Fort Clark; Company K at Fort Stockton; Companies A and G at Fort Davis; Company B did not reach its distant station, Fort Quitman, until August.

Col. Mackenzie, Courtesy of The National Archives.

In December, 1870, General Reynolds transferred to the 3d Cavalry and General Hinks retired from active service; they were succeeded by Colonel John D. Stevenson and Lieut.-Col. George L. Andrews; the latter becoming colonel of the regiment January 1, 1871, vice Stevenson resigned. Colonel Andrews joined the regiment at Fort Clark June 19, 1871. In May, 1872, the regiment marched to Western Texas and established its headquarters at Fort Davis. Company I, Captain Lawson commanding, participated in the engagement with Indians at Wichita Indian Agency, Ind. Ter., Aug. 22 and 23, 1873, having one man wounded. Company B, Captain Bentzoni commanding, was with General Mackenzie's expedition into Mexico in June 1878."

In 1875 Lieutenant Colonel William Shafter, led an expedition to the Llano Estacado region for two purposes: to clear the Llano Estacado of renegade Comanches and make a detailed map of the region. One of the reasons the Llano Estacado provided a refuge for the Comanches was its vast and hostile expanse. The expedition included troops from the 24th Infantry, 10th Cavalry, one company from the 25th Infantry, and two companies of Indian scouts.

Excerpt from, "A Historic Context for the African American Military Experience",
U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL)

Lt.-Colonel William Shafter, Courtesy of National Park Service.

"The expedition departed Fort Concho 2 months later and headed north to the Fresh Fork of the Brazos River where a supply camp was established. While the Cavalry and Indian scouts set out to the west, chasing Comanches and destroying Native villages, the Infantry remained for the most part at the supply camp." "A few detachments of infantry were sent out to the southwest on scouting patrols. After being in the field for nearly 5 months, Shafter's expedition returned to Fort Duncan in late November 1875. By demonstrating that the Llano Estacado was not impenetrable, Shafter - with the help of the African American soldiers - destroyed a sanctuary for the Comanches and opened that region to settlement by whites. The map that resulted from the 1875 expedition became the standard for more than 30 years (Fowler 1971:32-33; Leckie 1967:143-148; Muller 1972:24-26).

In the Spring of 1876, the Army received tacit authorization to cross the Rio Grande into Mexico when in pursuit of raiders. Kickapoo and Lipan Indians were the first to suffer from this new policy. Throughout the rest of 1876 and into 1877, the U.S. Army crossed the Rio Grande repeatedly (Utley 1973:11-12).

In the Summer of 1876, Shafter organized an expedition of troops of the 8th and 10th Cavalry and companies of the 24th and 25th Infantry to cross the Rio Grande above the Pecos into Mexico, in search of Native American villages. The role of the infantry on this campaign was to guard the railroad crossing over the Rio Grande. The expedition did manage to destroy some villages but also enraged the Mexican citizens. The United States troops recrossed the Rio Grande with the Mexican Army virtually on their heels (Leckie 1967:149-150; Muller, 1972:26-28)."

The history of the ten years' service in Texas is the record of a continuous series of building and repairing of military posts, roads and telegraph lines; of escort and guard duty of all descriptions; of marching and counter-marching from post to post, and of scouting for Indians which resulted in a few unimportant skirmishes."

Typical Duties. The main function of the infantry on the western frontier was to provide support to the cavalry. The infantry was not well suited or equipped to fight Native Americans. Even the cavalrymen had trouble catching them; the infantry had no chance. On occasion the infantrymen were mounted and assigned to scouting patrols, but mostly their duties consisted of guard and fatigue details, fort repair, and escort assignments.

One of the black troops' most frequent tasks was guarding the stage lines' remount stations located on the roads between the forts and frontier towns. Remount station guard duty was generally quiet, and a welcome relief from the routine of garrison life. Most of the stages carried mail and freight, but if there were white passengers, stationmasters frequently refused to allow off-duty black infantrymen to board the stage.

This discrimination led Colonel William Shafter, one of the officers of the 24th Infantry, to threaten the stage companies with the removal of the guards if they continued to mistreat his troops. Government supply trains and survey parties also relied on the protection of the infantry. Constructing roads and stringing telegraph lines were duties that often fell to the infantrymen.

Two notable achievements during this period which had immediate and long-term consequences for the establishment of peace on the West Texas was the work of Second Lieutenant George Andrews and the men of Company I and that of Captain David Schooley and the men of Company E.

Second Lieutenant George Andrews and Company I constructed 914 miles of telegraph line from Fort Davis to Fort Bliss. This completed the vital communications link from Fort Concho to Fort Davis which was an important component of
Colonel B. H. Grierson's campaign to remove those Apaches still committing depredations in West Texas.

The other major event which had major military, communication and economic importance was the construction of new roads through Wild Rose Pass and Musquiz Canyon under the command to Captain David Schooley by the men of Company E Twenty-fifth Infantry. The importance of these road building activities in connecting the forts and camps are evident to the military's objectives. Historically these roads became the blue prints for the routes future highways and roads were to follow.

A detachments from the 25th Infantry frequently accompanied government trains as protective escort in route to Tularosa, New Mexico to pick up lumber for the fort.

With the establishment of new roads and the telegraph, came increasing numbers of towns and communities along the Mexico-United States border. The need to protect American citizens from Mexican bandits, cut-throats, and marauders became increasingly apparent. On December, 1876 a large contingent of the 25th regiment was ordered to Presidio del Norte where they successfully ended the depravations.

Two new duties not necessary (or possible) on the Texas plains did occupy some of their time: cutting wood and hauling it back to the forts for heating and cooking fuel, and protecting railroad tie-cutting crews (Fowler 1971:51).
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Post Returns for Fort Davis, Texas:

This information was taken from the Post Returns for Fort Davis, Texas. Courtesy Gabe Schooley PR 11 Fort McKavett SHS a relative of Captain Schooley. Genealogical research is still in progress, with emphasis on Captain David Schooley's personal and family history.

Captain David Schooley
25th U. S. Infantry Company E, (Buffalo Soldiers) 1872-1880.
"Walk-A-Heaps" (Name given by Indians)

Military Service:

May 1872 - First assigned to Fort Davis. Per S.O. 47 of March 9, 1872. Headquarters and Band and Companies C, D, E, H, and I of the 25th Infantry left Fort Clark, Texas on May 3, 1872 enroute to Fort Davis and other posts in Texas. Arrived at Fort Stockton, Texas on May 20 where Companies F and I were directed to take post. On the 23rd the march was resumed with the four remaining companies and headquarters arriving at Fort Davis on May 26, 1872. Captain Schooley did not arrive with his company (Company E) on May 26. Per S.O. 45 from the Post of Fort Clark dated March 22, 1872, he was on "Detached service"conducting prisoners to Baton Rouge, La from March 25, 1872 to April 14, 1872. Per S.O.380, he was granted "leave for four months" beginning on April 14.

August 1872 - Schooley "rejoined with leave" on August 18, 1872 at Fort Davis, Texas and assumed command of his company on August 19, 1872. From August 1872 until December of 1873, Schooley is listed as being at the post and commanding his company.

January 1874 - The Post Returns for this month list Schooley and his company on Detached Service at Fort Quitman.

February 1874 - He is listed at Fort Davis and commanding his Company from February 1874 to July 1874.

August 1874 - Schooley is listed "with Company at Fort Concho, Texas since August 2, 1874."

He is listed on the Post Returns as "temporarily" at Fort Concho on the September, October and November returns.

December 1874 - Schooley is listed as "on Detached Service enroute to Fort Davis since November 21, 1874" from Fort Concho.

January 1875 - The Post Returns for Fort Davis list Schooley as "commanding Company at Fort Concho, Texas joined from Detached Service, January 4, 1875."

February 1875 - "Commanding Company at Fort Concho, Texas".

March 1875 - "Company E, 25th Infantry. This company changed stations in compliance with S.O. 32, Headquarters, Dept. of Texas, dated February 17, 1872. Left Fort Concho, Texas under command Major Z. Bliss, 25th Infantry, March 11, 1875, where it had been stationed on temporary duty 1874 and arrived at its permanent post, Fort Davis, Texas on March 24, 1875."

April 1875 - Schooley is listed at Fort Davis in Company on the April, May, June, 1875 returns.

September 1875 - He is listed as commanding company on "Detached Service" from September 4 to 10, Del Norte, Texas per S.O. 130 Headquarters, Fort Davis, September 2, 1875.

October 1875 - On the October, November, and December returns, Schooley is listed as at the post commanding company.

January 1876 - "Company E." 25th Infantry left Fort Davis, Texas to permanent station on January 24, 1876 for the purpose of changing and repairing the road between Fort Davis and Hackberry or Mustang Ponds, Texas via Limpia Canyon per S.O. Headquarters, Fort Davis, Texas dated January 22, 1876.

On the same return, Schooley is listed as absent on Detached Service "commanding January 24, 1876 at Wild Rose Pass, Texas." He was also listed on "Detached Service" From January 12-20, 1876 "making survey of proposed road between Fort Davis and Heads ranches."

The February and March returns list him as at Rose Pass, Texas in command of Company E that was "engaged in building a road to that place."

April 1876 - Schooley and Co. E returned from Wild Rose Pass, Texas Detached Service in April.

May 1876 - At post - commanding company

June 1876 - On Detached Service as a witness before U. S. Court at Austin Texas, from June 7-22, 1876.

June 7, 1876 - Left post, on leave for four months beginning June 22, 1876.

October 1876 - Leave extended one month

December 1876 - Leave extended one month

January 1877- "On Detached Service from January 15 to January 17, 1877 with cavalry recruits at San Antonio."
"At San Antonio as a member of a General Court Martial since January 17, 1877."February 1877 Enroute to Fort Davis to join post.

March 1877 - Commanding Company since March 12, 1877 - joined from detached Service same date. Returns for April and May 1877 list him at the post, commanding company

June 1877 - "On Detached Service scouting from June 7 to June 12, 1877."

"Company E, 25th Infantry - pursuant to Orders 119, Fort Davis, Texas, July 27, 1877 - relieved of duty at Fort Davis and ordered to proceed to Fort Clark. Left post at 3:30 p. m.

July 30, 1877 - " Schooley in command.

There is no mention of Schooley or Co. E on Post Returns from July 1877 through February 1878.

March 1878 - "Company E, 25th Infantry. The company left Fort Duncan, Texas on March 4, 1878 and arrived at its destination, Fort Davis, Texas on March 29, 1878. Distance march 385 miles. Schooley in command.

April 1878 - Schooley is listed on "scouting duty from April 21, 1878 to April 30, 1878."

May & June 1878 - He is listed as commanding company - at post.

July 1877 - At Austin, Texas as a witness before the U. S. District Court since July 8, 1878, orders 89, Fort Davis, Texas, July 7, 1878. Relieved of command July 8, 1878

August 1878 - Joined from Detached Service on August 3, 1878

The Post Returns for September 1878 through April 1879 list Schooley as at the post and commanding company.

May 1879 - Commanding Company at Musquiz Canyon, Texas since May 1, 1879 about six miles distant where it is at present engaged in constructing a road. Schooley and Company E remained at Musquez Canyon from May 1879 until January 1, 1880.

January 1880 - At post - commanding company Schooley and Company E remained at Fort Davis until May 17, 1880 when they left enroute to San Antonio as the regiment was being transferred to the Department of Dakota.

AN APPRECIATION OF THE REGIMENT'S WORK IN TEXAS, 1870-1880-Colonel, 4th Cav. COMMENDATORY ORDER FROM COMMANDING OFFICER, DISTRICT OF PECOS-GENERAL ORD'S

RECOMMENDATIONS-THE REGIMENT MOVES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA-MOVE TO FORT SNELLING-ABANDONMENT OF FORT HALE-AN INSPECTION REPORT.

The record of the regiment's ten years of service in Texas (1870-1880) is not, on the whole, an exceptionally eventful one, but it is one of hard work cheerfully done and duty well performed, and that these services were appreciated by the powers that be, let the from the General of the Army, pro- following order testify:

Excerpt from:

Headquarters District of the Pecos
Fort Concho, Texas, February 7, 1881.

General Orders
No. 1:

In pursuance of orders this day received, abolishing all Military Districts in the Department of Texas, having stated in his Department of Texas, the undersigned relinquishes command of the District of the Pecos.

In doing so it is proper to refer to the services rendered by the officers and soldiers of the 10th Cavalry, and those of the 24th and 25th Infantry, who participated in the arduous ability and determination to put a stop work and active field operations of the past three years.

In addition to the work at posts and sub-posts on barracks and quarters, and in guarding mails and other public property throughout the district, over one thousand miles of wagon roads and three hundred miles of telegraph lines have been constructed and kept in repair by the labor of the troops, a vast region thoroughly scouted over, minutely explored, its resources made known, and wonderfully developed.

The distance marched by companies and detachments during the three years specified, as shown by the records, foots up the grand total of one hundred and thirty-five thousand seven hundred and ten (135,710) miles.

Much credit is due the troops who took part in the hard work, explorations, active scouting, expeditions against the Mescalero Apaches, and especially to those engaged in the campaign against Victorio and his band of hostile Indians who were outmarched, out-maneuvered, repeatedly headed off, disconcerted, met face to face, squarely fought, severely punished, driven into Mexico, badly crippled and demoralized, where-no longer able to hold together as an organized force-they fell an easy prey to the attack of the Mexican troops and Indian scouts from the Sierra Madre.

A settled feeling of security, heretofore unknown, prevails throughout western Texas, causing a rapid and permanent increase of population and wealth of the state, which Assistant Adjutant General is gratifying to citizens, and the military who have been instrumental in bringing about this very satisfactory condition of affairs.

The value of all this work to the great state of Texas, as cited herein, can hardly be overestimated.

It is a pleasant duty for me to thank the officers and enlisted men for the zeal and alacrity with which they responded to every demand,-however much it may have tested their power of endurance,-for the fortitude with which they braved dangers, and the intelligent activity and efficiency manifested in the discharge of the duties assigned them. The gallantry displayed and meritorious services rendered, justly merit some special and suitable recognition from the Government.