Lot 1162: CHARLES YOUNG

CHARLES YOUNG(1864 - 1922) Third African American graduate of West Point, first black U.S. national park superintendent, first African American military attaché, and highest ranking black officer in the United States Army until his death in 1922. His first assignment after graduation was with the Buffalo Soldiers in the 10th Cavalry in Nebraska, and then in the 9th and 10th Cavalries in Utah. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, he was reassigned as Second Lieutenant to training duty at Camp Algers, Virginia. Young was then awarded a commission as a Major in the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Later, during the Spanish-American War, he was in command of a squadron of the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers in Cuba. After the war with Spain, Young was reassigned to Fort Duchesne in Utah where he successfully arbitrated a dispute between Native Americans and sheep herders. In 1903 Captain Young was in command of the 10th Cavalry, who were segregated at the Presidio of San Francisco. He was assigned "Acting Superintendent" of Sequoia National Parks in California for the summer. During Pershing's Punitive 1916 Expedition into Mexico, Young was praised for his leadership in the pursuit of the bandit Pancho Villa. Commanding a squadron of the 10th United States Cavalry, he led a cavalry pistol charge against the Villista forces, routing the opposing forces without losing a single man. Very rare war-date S.P., 5 1/4" x 7 1/4", a fine pose of the distinguished war hero standing outside his tent with sword in hand, boldly signed at bottom: "Yours forever and a day Chas. Young 1899". Edges of card are a bit scuffed, image a tad faded, else very good .