Currently, 10 installations operated by the U.S. Army are named for Confederate commanders who rebelled against the United States during the Civil War in defense of the institution of slavery. These men led troops in rebellion against the American flag and orchestrated the killing of American soldiers fighting under our Stars and Stripes.
In recent weeks, high-ranking military officials have opened the possibility of renaming these American forts, including, on June 12, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. “It’s always puzzled me why we don’t have a Fort Washington or a Fort Ulysses S. Grant or a military facility named for an African American Medal of Honor recipient,” he said.
Gates’ suggestion immediately called to mind one man with everlasting ties to Vancouver: Sgt. Moses Williams.
Born in Louisiana in 1845, Williams joined the U.S. Army’s Ninth Cavalry — the Buffalo Soldiers — in 1866, eventually leading African American troopers throughout the American West and advancing to one of the highest positions accessible to him in the era: ordnance sergeant at a military installation.
While stationed at Oregon’s Fort Stevens, Williams received the Medal of Honor in 1896 for “most distinguished gallantry in action,” and retired to Vancouver in May 1898, where he died the following year and rests today.
Why Williams? First of all, his exemplary 31-year record of service to the United States exceeds that of all of the 10 Confederate generals for whom forts are named today. Williams never led troops in rebellion against the flag; to the contrary, as a noncommissioned officer he worked actively against the legacy of slavery for decades by training and educating former slaves and other young African Americans who chose an army career. (And Williams may have been a former slave himself — the historical record remains unclear.)
Williams also has direct ties to Texas, having served there for several years, and Louisiana, where he was born, raised, and began his army service.
And then there’s the Medal of Honor. Williams stands as one of just 23 African American soldiers to receive the honor between the Civil War and World War I. The fact that Williams initiated his own nomination for the medal also demonstrates the value of Black self-determination and agency during the post-war era of Jim Crow and racial animosity. That’s something worthy of recognition.
One troubling aspect of Williams’ legacy is shared with anyone who served in the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars era: the army’s record of fighting and dispossessing native peoples throughout the West. Here, Williams’ legacy of inspiring community action, dialogue, and reconciliation provides encouragement.
Since 1989, the Moses Williams Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers — an affiliate of the National 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association — has forged programs, partnerships, appearances, and charitable work toward this and other causes, while talented local filmmaker Dru Holley has been bringing African American and tribal communities together to explore Williams’ legacy in new and restorative ways.
“There comes a moment when things become possible and people ought to seize a moment when it presents itself, and this is such a moment,” Gates said, and I agree.
It’s time to rename these forts. If they are to be named for past soldiers, Sgt. Moses Williams presents a strong and inspiring candidate.
Greg Shine is a Portland-based historian who previously served at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
