This study documents the Twenty-fourth Infantry Regiment from its formation on March 15, 1869, through its first deployment from Fort McKavett, Texas, on November 1, 1869. This study's focus is on the policies which led to the formation, the assignment of personnel, and the initial campaigns of the eight individual companies of the 24th Regiment. The Twenty-fourth Infantry Regiment was formed by the Reorganization Act of 1869, which consolidated four black infantry regiments into two units, the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Infantry Regiments. The initial four black regiments, the Thirty-eighth, Thirty- ninth, Fortieth and Forty-first, served through out the south and the west during the reconstruction period. Moreover, these units served as an important test-bed for black soldiers in the United States Army. In addition to a detailed chronology of events, this study addresses the social and military implications of their formation. The performance of the Twenty-fourth Infantry regiment provided a springboard for successful integration of black soldier into the regular Army. The history of the black infantry regiments during Reconstruction and their exceptional service in the building of the west, clearly demonstrated their desire and ability to serve despite the lack of full citizenry. The paper ends with suggestions and areas for future study.

ADA 272926 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)