OUR HISTORY:

Grierson's Buffalo Soldiers of Georgia Traveling the World Performing Mounted Cavalry Presentations & Parades

The organization began as a mounted (horseback) cavalry reenactment portraying the Company A, (Atlanta) 10th US Cavalry, (1868 to 1898) better known as the Grierson’s “Buffalo Soldiers”. The organization was careful in selecting new members known as troopers that were experienced in riding and demonstration cavalry horsemanship. The organization grew and was became the first Buffalo Soldiers cavalry reenactment units around the Atlanta. The organization was well known around military bases; performing at Fort McClellan, Ala, Fort Benning, GA, Kings Bay US Naval Base, Moody Air Force Base, Fort Gillam, Fort Bliss, TX, Fort McPherson, USMC Supply Depot, Albany, GA, Custer’s Last Stand, Montana & Wyoming, MLK King Parades, Atlanta and a host schools throughout the United States.

The group also performed outside the United States in Calgary Stampede, Canada, Camp Zama, Japan and Mildenhall /Lakenheath USAF base, United Kingdom. Custer’s Last Stand, Montana & Wyoming, MLK King Parades, schools throughout Atlanta, DeKalb County.

One shining moment was the historical commemoration of Colonel Charles Young. Don North had a vision to reenact the 500 mile journey Colonel Charles Young rode to protest early retirement by the US Army in 1916. Don North and his organization reenacted the horseback ride by his organization riding the same 500 miles from Wilberforce University, Ohio to Washington, DC in July 1994. The commemoration was featured nationally on CBS Sunday Morning News, Charles Kuaralt. Don’s horse, Triple Nickel was given permission by superintendent of Arlington Cemetery to allow his black-colored horse to enter Arlington cemetery to render honor to Colonel Charles Young.

[Caption: June 1994: Grierson’s Buffalo Soldiers begin the 500 mile Colonel Charles Young horseback ride from Washington Courthouse, Ohio to Washington DC.]

[Caption: In 1993, General Colin Powell invited Grierson’s Buffalo Soldiers to attend his retirement ceremony at Ft. Myers, VA.]

The organization continued performing cavalry demonstrations all over the country and around the world. As time passed, Don began to research rather uncovered black military history. He was always interested in the achievements and contributions of black soldiers and sailors.

[Caption: Grierson's Buffalo Soldiers Calvary traveled the world performing re-enactments. Here, they are pictured in Camp Zama, US Army Base, 2000.]

In 2017, Don began researching Sergeant Isaac Woodard, a black WWII soldier who was so severely beaten that he was blinded in both eyes for life at a bus stop in Batesburg, SC in 1946. Sgt Woodard was wearing his uniform home but never returned home to see it. Don gathered his team together to commemorate Sgt Isaac Woodard by erecting a South Carolina Historical at the site of the beating. Don worked closely with Batesburg city manager, city council and Governor of South Carolina to issue a proclamation to Sgt Isaac Woodard Family. The historical Marker was erected in February 2019. A park on site of the marker is being considered as the Sgt Woodard Park.

[Caption: Seargeant Isaac Woodard, circa 1948, blinded from being beaten, shown with family.]

Don was born in Carrollton, GA to a military family that travelled the world. He recalls the 1964 encyclopedias his mother purchased which kept him busy reading and exploring the world. As he recalls, “I was so intrigued on reading about other countries and their military and history of our country.

Don is available for speaking engagements.

[Caption: Grierson's Buffalo Soldiers Calvary, Vetaran's Day Parade, Atlanta, Georgia 1998.]