The 24th U.S. Infantry at drill, Camp Walker, Philippine Islands 1902
copyrighted by C.H. Graves (The Universal Photo Art Co.). - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Harvey Fleniogh
The 24th Infantry Regiment was organized on 1 November 1869 from the 38th United States Colored Infantry Regiment and the 41st Infantry Regiment (United States). All the enlisted soldiers were black, either veterans of the U.S. Colored Troops or freedmen. From its activation to 1898, the 24th Infantry served throughout the Western United States. Its missions included garrisoning frontier posts, battling American Indians, protecting roadways against bandits, and guarding the border between the United States and Mexico. Harvey Flenoigh enlisted in October of 1898 and reportaly did not serve outside of the continental US, so it is presumed that he was a
"Buffalo Soldier". However, the year 1898 saw the 24th Infantry deployed to Cuba as part of the U.S. Expeditionary Force in the Spanish–American War; so it's possible that Harvey may have been deployed there and the War Department could not admit it.
Harvey was born in rural Woodford County Kentucky, near the town of Versailles Kentucky, and was a Farmer when he enlisted in the Army. His military record lists as follows; Eyes: Brown Hair: Black Complexion: Dark Brown Height: 5 feet 7 inches. Due mostly to a flood in Indianapolis in 1913, three years after his death, no know photos or other personal documents are know to exist of him. His wife Minnie's pension claim had to rely on affadavits to confirm ther marriage. Harvey and Minnie married seven years before he enlisted to fight in the Spanish American War. They had two children prior to the war who were born in Kentucky, Cynthia and Lucile. The Fleniogh's moved to Indianapolis in 1903, where Robert, Elnora, and Dorthy were born. Robert and Elnora preceed Minnie in death. Harvey died in 1910 of TB. Harvey's widow Minnie died in 1939. Dorthy is my wife's grandmother.
