In June 1877, Henry O. Flipper, born a slave in Georgia in 1856, was the first African-American to graduate from West Point Military Academy.

Second Lt. Flipper was later assigned to the 10th U.S. Cavalry - known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

As one of the numerous events on the campus of Sandhills Community College celebrating Black History Month, Dr. Matthew Farina will give a presentation focusing on the Buffalo Soldiers and their part in the War Between the States.

His talk will be held on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. in the Teresa Wood Reading Room located in the Katharine L. Boyd Library on the campus of Sandhills Community College. It is free and open to the public.

He will also discuss the black Civil War soldiers in the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This regiment was portrayed in the Hollywood feature film "Glory."

The medical practices of the Buffalo Soldiers and medical practices throughout the war will also be covered.

Farina has generously loaned SCC a significant portion of his Civil War collection, which is on display in the library though the end of the month.

Farina is an active member of the Rufus Barringer Civil War Round Table.

This group is interested in the preservation of Civil War battlefields and discussion of battlefield events, the politics that lead to the war, and reconstruction.

The group meets the third Thursday of each month at the Southern Pines Civic Club. Discussion typically focuses on individuals and battles of the conflict. They invite guest speakers, who are relatively well respected in Civil War interest circles.

Contact Lee Hillgrove at (910) 315-1213 for more information.