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 Kaemen – Kurtz
Kaemen Charles Pvt. 15th INF Kane ns Pvt. C 8th CAV Kanesky Frank Pvt. G 8th CAV Kanff Thomas Pvt. D 10th INF Kauffer Louis Pvt. C 8th CAV Kaufman Frank Pvt. B 13th INF Kautner Martin L. Pvt. K 3rd CAV Kearnes John Pvt. K 15th INF Kearney Thomas M 9th CAV Kearns Daniel Pvt. G 8th CAV Kearns Michael Pvt. K 13th INF Keaton S. Pvt. M 9th CAV Keefe Andrew Sgt. 15th INF Keefe W. 2Lt 15th INF Keeler Lewis Pvt. G 8th CAV Keenan ns Pvt. I 8th CAV Keenan Charles Pvt. F 15th INF Keith ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Keith S. Pvt. 38th INF Keller ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Keller John Pvt. G 15th INF Kellis Peter Pvt. K 38th INF Kellis Samuel Pvt. K 38th INF Kellogg Frank Pvt. C 8th CAV Kelly ns Pvt. I 1 NM INF Kelly Dennis Pvt. K 3rd CAV Kelly Frank E. Pvt. G 8th CAV Kelly James E. Pvt. K 38th INF Kelly John Pvt. K 3rd CAV Kelly John L. Pvt. C 8th CAV Kelly Joseph Pvt. G 15th INF Kelly Michael Pvt. K 13th INF Kelly R. Pvt. G 15th INF Kelly William Cpt C 8th CAV Kennedy James Pvt. 15th INF Kennedy James Pvt. G 8th CAV Kennedy John Pvt. 15th INF Kenney Edward J. Pvt. G 8th CAV Kensley John Pvt. G 8th CAV Kenzewdorff William Pvt. G 8th CAV Keomiss ns Pvt. C 8th CAV Kessler Lewis P. Pvt. G 8th CAV Kestler ns Pvt. C 8th CAV Khubahn ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Kibby Wesley Pvt. F 24th INF Kiddie Andrew Pvt. K 13th INF Kieff ns Pvt. I 8th CAV Kilroy John Pvt. B 13th INF Kimloy ns Pvt. G 8th CAV King ns Pvt. G 8th CAV King George Pvt. 15th INF King John Pvt. K 13th INF King John F. Pvt. 15th INF King William P. Pvt. K 3rd CAV Kingsley James H. Pvt. K 13th INF Kinnen Charles Pvt. 15th INF Kinney ns Pvt. I 8th CAV Kinney John Pvt. K 3rd CAV Kinsley ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Kissly ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Klabuhn ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Klagneiere Harry Pvt. 15th INF Klaus ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Klaus Moses Pvt. C 8th CAV Kline Joseph Pvt. G 8th CAV Klosforth ns Pvt. I 8th CAV Klotzer Max Pvt. K 13th INF Klubaker Frank Pvt. G 8th CAV Kneil ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Knight Stephen Pvt. F 15th INF Knoff Franz Pvt. K 13th INF Knox James Pvt. D 10th INF Koche Ferdenick E. Pvt. K 15th INF Koenig John Pvt. 15th INF Korsey ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Kralsey O. Cpl H 15th INF Krause ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Kreba John Pvt. 15th INF Kroche Fred K. Pvt. K 15th INF Krosen J. C. 2Lt A 125 INF Krug ns Pvt. G 8th CAV Kruse Ernest W. Pvt. G 8th CAV Kugler William Pvt. D 13th INF Kunzendorff M. Pvt. G 8th CAV Kurley Michael Cpl 15th INF Kurtz John Pvt. K 3rd CAV Lacy John H.
Source: Southern New Mexico Genealogical Society, Marcena Thompson, and Charles Barnum.
Fort Selden, New Mexico Troops, 1865-1891.