 PLOT: Cantrell explains that the "buffalo soldiers" were so named  because when first seen by the Native Americans, the Natives mistook  their woolly coats for those of a buffalo. In truth, it was the  "nappy" hair of the Black soldiers that lead the Natives to dub the  unit as "Buffalo Soldiers," but Cantrell could have been  misinformed.  When Dr. Eckner testifies as to the rape/murder, his testimony is  shown in flashback and concludes with a conversation between Juano  Hernandez as Skidmore and Jeffrey Hunter as Cantrell that took place  outside the building. As the doctor remained inside, he could not  possibly have heard it.