The Jackson County War: Reconstruction and Resistance in Post–Civil War Florida

by Daniel R. Weinfeld

Offers original conclusions explaining why Jackson County became the bloodiest region in Reconstruction Florida

 

From early 1869 through the end of 1871, citizens of Jackson County, Florida, slaughtered their neighbors by the score. The nearly three year frenzy of bloodshed became known as the Jackson County War. The killings, close to one hundred and by some estimates twice that number, brought Jackson County the notoriety of being the most violent county in Florida during the Reconstruction era.  Daniel R. Weinfeld has made a thorough investigation of contemporary accounts. He adds an assessment of recently discovered information, and presents a critical evaluation of the standard secondary sources.

 

The Jackson County War focuses on the role of the Freedmen’s Bureau, the emergence of white “Regulators,” and the development of African American political consciousness and leadership. It follows the community’s descent after the Civil War into disorder punctuated by furious outbursts of violence until the county settled into uneasy stability seven years later. The Jackson County War emerges as an emblem of all that could and did go wrong in the uneasy years after Appomattox and that left a residue of hatred and fear that endured for generations.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sabra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel R. Weinfeld’s book, "The Jackson County War: Reconstruction and Resistance in Post-Civil War Florida," is that rare historical monograph that combines an important subject, solid research, and a gripping narrative. It is an excellent contribution to the historical literature as a case study of the fight between Klan and Radical Republicans during Reconstruction. It is also the story of the conflicting motives of individuals, white and black, Southern and Northern, written with an ear for drama rare ad refreshing in a work of history. The book enriched my knowledge of the greater issues of Reconstruction while capturing my interest with a well-told story. I would recommend it to students of Reconstruction, those interested in the history of post-Civil War Florida, and readers who like old-fashioned history written with a sense of drama.

[Philip Girvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weinfeld’s exhaustive research and skilled writing thoroughly prepares the scene and details the horrific violence that followed the end of the Civil War.

This exceptional and essential local history provides the reader insights into the rapid loss of African American political power and the emergence of the Jim Crow South. Highly recommended.

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be overrating it a touch because it's a history of my hometown that I'd literally never heard of, but even without that bias I would give it at least 4 stars.

A great book for understanding what reconstruction violence could look like in the context of a single town and individual lives.