Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument United States

Legendary

Learn about the life of an escaped slave who became the first African-American colonel in the US army.

Photo by Matthew Dillon

Charles Young was born into slavery. He grew up to become the highest-ranking Black officer in the U.S. Army of his time. His childhood home in Ohio is now a national monument honoring both his story and the soldiers he once led.

Young was born on March 12, 1864, in May's Lick, Kentucky. His parents were still enslaved when he was born, even though the Civil War had already started.

Kentucky hadn't joined the Confederacy. Because of that, President Lincoln's order freeing enslaved people in rebel states didn't apply there.

Slavery in Kentucky didn't officially end until December 1865. That's when the 13th Amendment became law, finally ending slavery across the entire United States.

Young's father escaped slavery in 1865 and joined the Union Army. Soon after, Young's mother brought young Charles across the state line to Ohio, a place known for strongly opposing slavery.

In 1889, Young became only the third Black graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He went on to lead troops in the all-Black 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments, known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

The nickname came from Native American Plains tribes who fought against these soldiers. They called them "buffalo soldiers," likely because of their dark, curly hair and their fierce determination in battle.

Young spent his career breaking barriers. He became the first Black superintendent of a U.S. national park, held an important role representing the U.S. Army overseas, and eventually rose to the rank of colonel, the highest army rank held by a Black officer at the time.

In 1907, Young bought a home in Wilberforce, Ohio, which he called Youngsholm. President Barack Obama made the property a national monument in 2013.

Tour Young's historic home, filled with artifacts from his remarkable military career. Visit the museum on-site to learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers and their role in American history. Walk the same grounds where Young once lived with his family between his many years of service.