Part 1-Buffalo Soldiers-Battle of Fort Lancaster: Legends of the Old West

Matthew Kerns
11 minutes ago
2 min read

The newest Legends of the Old West series has launched, and it begins with a powerful opener written by podcast host Chris Wimmer. Episode 1, “Battle of Fort Lancaster,” sets the stage for a six-part exploration of the Buffalo Soldiers and the pivotal moments that shaped their history on the American frontier. I wrote episodes 2-5 of this series.

The Buffalo Soldiers’ story begins in fire and chaos at a lonely outpost on the Texas frontier. In Episode 1: “Battle of Fort Lancaster,” host Chris Wimmer drops listeners into the brutal winter of 1867, where a small detachment of the 9th Cavalry is scattered across rugged terrain, isolated and undermanned. When a large Comanche war party descends on the region, the men—many of them formerly enslaved and fighting for a chance to prove themselves—are thrust into a desperate struggle for survival. Among the troopers serving in these early years is Emanuel Stance, a rising soldier whose discipline and fearlessness would soon make him one of the most important figures in Buffalo Soldier history.

As the battle rages, Wimmer captures the dust, confusion, and grit of frontier combat—horses stolen, scouts cut off, and scattered patrols forced to stand firm against overwhelming force. This is the world Stance inhabited: a dangerous borderland where every decision could mean life or death. Though the Battle of Fort Lancaster itself did not produce any Medal of Honor citations, the crucible of these early fights forged men like Stance into hardened veterans. Just three years later, Stance would become the first Black soldier to receive the Medal of Honor after the Civil War, earning it for a daring rescue mission on the Texas frontier.

By the time the smoke clears, the episode reveals Fort Lancaster as more than a skirmish—it’s a defining moment in the rise of the Buffalo Soldiers and a preview of the heroes who would emerge in the coming years. Stance’s story is one of the threads running through this new series, and Episode 1 lays the groundwork for the courage, sacrifice, and leadership that would later earn him the nation’s highest military honor. It’s an intense, fast-paced introduction to a group of soldiers whose legacy is only just beginning to unfold.

🎧 Listen now to "Buffalo Soldiers: Battle of Fort Lancaster" on your favorite podcast platform.

Available on Spotify:

And Apple Podcasts:

All of the Legends of the Old West podcasts are available at:

https://blackbarrelmedia.com/legends-of-the-old-west/