What year did President Abraham Lincoln sign the Homestead Act?
1862. The Homestead Act encouraged western expansion by giving up to 160 acres (65 hectares) of land to any American citizen who improved this land for five years. Many African-American took advantage of this Act. They moved west, settled upon a track of government-owned land, and started farming. Top of Page 5. Who gave the 10th Cavalry the nickname Buffalo Soldiers? The Cheyenne. Before the Civil War, African-Americans were not allowed to join the U.S. Army. During the Civil War, some African-Americans fought as volunteers with the U.S. Army. After the Civil War, African-Americans were allowed to join the U.S. Army as a soldier. In 1866, four African-American regiments were created in the U.S. Army. They were the 9th and 10th Cavalry (soldiers who fought on horseback) and the 24th and 25th Infantry (soldiers who marched and fought on foot). The regiments were all African-American, and the officers were white. These four regiments were stationed in the West for almost 30 years. In 186
