The cavalry regiments were known as the 9th and 10th.
In 1869 there was a general reduction in the infantry forces of the Regular army and the 38th and 41st were consolidated into one regiment numbered the 24th and the 39th and 40th into one regiment numbered the 25th.

The strength and numerical titles of the cavalry were not changed.
For over forty years the colored American was represented in our Regular Army by those four regiments.

They have borne more than their proportionate share of hard service, including many Indian campaigns.
The men have conducted themselves so worthily as to call forth the best praise of the highest military authorities.

General Miles and General Merritt, actively identified with the Indian wars, were unstinting in their commendation of the valor and skill of Negro fighters.
Between 1869 and 1889, three colored men were regularly graduated and commissioned from the United States military academy at West Point and served in the Regular Army as officers.

They were John H.Alexander, Charles Young and H.O.Flipper.