Fort Selden was established in 1865 in an effort to bring peace among the varied inhabitants in the south central region of present day New Mexico. Their primary intent was to protect settlers and travelers in the Mesilla Valley from desperados and Mescalero Apache Indians. Built near the banks of the Rio Grande, the adobe fort housed units of U.S. Army Infantry and Cavalry.
The first troops to occupy the fort were companies of the 125th US Colored Infantry Regiment, a group of African-American enlisted soldiers from Kentucky who had been mustered into the Union Army near the close of the American Civil War. Several of the units assigned later, including the 9th US Cavalry and 10th US Cavalry, and stationed at the fort were also composed of black troopers, sometimes referred to as Buffalo Soldiers. As a testament to their bravery, nine Buffalo Soldiers received the Medal of Honor while serving in New Mexico Territory.
Surnames Abbott – Auvanta
Abbott George Pvt. B 13th INF Adair David Pvt. C 8th CAV Adams Holden G. Pvt. C. 8th CAV Adams James Pvt. 8th CAV Adams John Pvt. G 8th CAV Adams Samuel C. Pvt. K 3rd CAV Adams W. Pvt. 15th INF Alder John R. Pvt. A 15th INF Alexander Alexander Pvt. K 38th INF Alexander John M 9th CAV Alford Benjamin H. Pvt. B 13th I NF Alford Robert Pvt. I 8th CAV Allen Benjamin F. Pvt. K 38th INF Allums Felix Pvt. K 38th INF Amity Henry B. Sgt. A 1 NM CAV Amons George W. Sgt. K 3rd CAV Anderson Henry Pvt. C 8th CAV Anderson Richard Sgt. Anderson William Pvt. K 38th INF Anderson William Pvt. C 8th CAV Andrews James Pvt. C 8th CAV Andrews James K 13th INF Anfinson Thomas Pvt. G 8th CAV Angeline Fanny Pvt. C 8th CAV Anthony ns Pvt. I 8th Cav Anton R. H. Cpt. M 1 CA CAV Appel Emil Archer Richard Pvt. C 8th CAV Armandt ns Pvt. C 8th CAV Armill ns Pvt. C 8th CAV Armledt Charles Pvt. G 8th CAV Armour William Armstead Charles Pvt. G 8th CAV Armstrad D. 38th INF Armstrong William Pvt. C 1 CA INF Arnold ns Pvt. G 1 CA INF Arnold William Pvt. K 13th INF Atkins Franklin M. Pvt. D 13th INF Auch George Pvt. 15th INF Aurandt Jacob M. Sgt. C 8th CAV Auvanta ns Cpl. C 8th CAV
Source: Southern New Mexico Genealogical Society, Marcena Thompson, and Charles Barnum.
Fort Selden, New Mexico Troops, 1865-1891.