Читать книгу Freedom Facts and Firsts - Jessie Carney Smith - Страница 89

This event took place in the context of the post-Civil War Reconstruction era, when freed blacks and “radical Republicans” briefly held political power in the South. Defeated ex-Confederates reorganized into a group called the White League and dedicated themselves to restoring a “white man’s government” through vigilante acts of violence directed at African Americans and white “carpetbaggers.” On April 13, 1873, the White League launched an attack on the Louisiana militia, which was almost completely made up of black soldiers, and killed approximately 100 militiamen in Colfax, Louisiana. By the summer of 1874, the estimated membership of the White League was 14,000 strong. As they continued their reign of terror, President Ulysses S. Grant did not act to restrain the activities of the White League. On September 14, 1874, nearly 4,000 armed vigilantes assembled on Canal Street in New Orleans, intent on ousting Republican Governor William Kellogg. They were met by an equal number of police and black militia, ironically under the command of ex-Confederate General James Longstreet. The one-hour fight became known as the “Battle of Liberty Place,” with 38 killed and 79 wounded in the outbreak.

The White League prevailed, yet they restrained themselves from firing directly on Longstreet. They captured him, deposed Kellogg, installed John McEnery as governor, and maintained political control for three days. Grant finally ordered federal troops to New Orleans to force their withdrawal, the release of Longstreet, and the reinstatement of Kellogg as governor.

Fletcher F. Moon