In the 19th C. San Antonio was a training site for the African-American Cavalry Soldiers given this animal name
[DOC] [TLE] Black Americans in Defense of Our Nation [PAR] Black Americans who committed themselves to the U.S.'s defense during the last 
... Military Heritage - Through the 19th Century Introduction .... By war's end, 
approximately 5,000 black soldiers had served in the Colonial army of 300,000.