How fear of a Black general sparked Charles Young’s epic protest

Charles Young’s 497-Mile Ride Against Military Racism

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Ohio tells the story of a brilliant cavalry officer who fought racism with a horse and 497 miles of determination.

Young led Black troops against Pancho Villa in Mexico without losing a single man, earning promotion to lieutenant colonel.

But when World War One came, the War Department suddenly declared him medically unfit, fearing he might outrank white officers.

Young knew better. In 1918, he mounted his mare Blacksmith and rode from Ohio to Washington D.C. in sixteen days to prove his fitness.

This monument preserves the story of his legendary protest ride and the military career racism tried to destroy.

Colonel Young’s Cavalry Charge Earned Him Historic Promotion

Charles Young led the 10th Cavalry’s 2nd Squadron in a bold cavalry charge at Agua Caliente on April 1, 1916.

His troops beat 150 of Pancho Villa’s fighters without losing a single man. Young used smart flanking moves during the Punitive Expedition into Mexico.

The Army rewarded him with a promotion to lieutenant colonel on July 1, 1916, making him the first African American to reach that rank.

Later, he took command of Fort Huachuca, where the Buffalo Soldiers were based.

Racism Lurked Behind Military Leadership Decisions

As World War I got closer, Young was in line for promotion to brigadier general based on his combat record.

This scared military officials who knew if Young led Black troops in Europe, they’d have to promote him based on his work.

Many white officers, mostly from the South, refused to serve under a Black general. The problem wasn’t Young’s skills but his race.

War Department officials quietly looked for ways to block him while seeming fair.

Army Doctors Found Convenient Health Problems

The War Department found their answer in May 1917. A military medical board suddenly “found” high blood pressure during Young’s checkup.

The doctors also claimed to see albumin in his urine, saying he had Bright’s disease from his earlier service in Africa.

These medical findings came just in time to block his combat command. Young showed no signs of illness and had no health problems in his past.

His earlier checkups had shown him fit for duty.

The Military Pushed Young Into Retirement

The Army took Young off active duty in June 1917, claiming he was too sick for combat.

Young fought back by sending medical papers proving his health and asking high-ranking government officials for help.

His forced retirement made the African American community angry. Young filed formal appeals for nearly a year, but officials turned down each one.

Black newspapers and civil rights groups pointed out the timing matched too perfectly with his chance for promotion.

A Bold Plan Takes Shape After Failed Appeals

After a year of getting nowhere with paperwork and formal complaints, Young decided to prove his fitness in a way nobody could ignore.

He planned a huge 497-mile horseback trip from his home in Wilberforce to Washington, D.C. Young picked his trusted black mare “Blacksmith” for the tough journey.

At 53 years old and as the highest-ranking Black officer in American military history, Young knew his dramatic protest would grab attention.

Young Saddles Up For Justice

On June 6, 1918, Young got on Blacksmith and left Wilberforce to start his protest journey. He followed a mapped route through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

To show his stamina, Young got off his horse and walked fifteen minutes during each hour of travel. Local people watched in wonder as the 53-year-old officer passed through their towns.

Young stuck to a strict schedule, reaching each planned stop right on time.

The Grueling Journey Tests His Strength

Young pushed himself hard, riding about 31 miles daily over rough country roads through changing weather.

Riding horseback for 16 straight days would test men half his age. Each day on the road showed Young remained in great physical shape despite claims.

His muscles hurt, but he never slowed down. Local newspapers began tracking his progress, spreading word of the unusual protest.

Washington Crowds Welcome The Determined Colonel

When Young rode into Washington after finishing all 497 miles, the city’s Black community came out to greet him.

People lined the streets, amazed by what he’d done.

Observers said that the Colonel looks fit for an endurance hike or service at the front. News of his arrival spread quickly through newspapers across the country.

Young’s dramatic protest ride caught national attention, forcing the War Department to notice his physical fitness.

Face To Face With The Secretary Of War

Young got a personal meeting with Secretary of War Newton Baker after completing his historic ride.

Baker gave him an informal hearing, unable to ignore the officer who had just proven his fitness so dramatically.

During their talk, Baker asked Young whether he wanted combat or non-combat duty if brought back. Without hesitation, Young replied “Combat!”

The secretary promised to review his case, but Young left unsure if his protest had changed anything.

The War Department Stands Firm Against Evidence

Despite Young’s impressive show of physical fitness, the War Department refused to fully change its decision.

Officials couldn’t deny his obvious health but wouldn’t admit their real motives either. The NAACP and Black press kept highlighting the unfairness of his case.

African American leaders argued that bringing Young back to active duty would “remove one source of unrest within the race” during wartime.

Too Little, Too Late For A Military Hero

The Army finally returned Young to active duty on November 6, 1918, just five days before the war ended with the German Armistice.

They assigned him to Camp Grant in Illinois to train African American servicemen for non-combat roles. Young never got his chance to lead troops in Europe or earn the promotion to general his service deserved.

His protest ride had proven his physical abilities beyond question but couldn’t overcome the institutional racism blocking his advancement.

Young continued serving his country despite this bitter treatment, his ride becoming a powerful symbol in the long fight for military equality.

Visiting Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

You can visit Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument for free at 1120 U.S. Route 42 E in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Call 937-352-6757 to book house tours of Young’s restored farmhouse, which shows how it looked from 1907-1922 after a 15-month restoration finished in 2023.

The visitor center is at Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom Memorial Library on Payne Theological Seminary campus.

Check out exhibits with trading cards about Young’s famous 497-mile protest ride and Buffalo Soldiers displays.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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