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Black Soldiers, White Laws: The Tragedy of the 24th Infantry in 1917 Houston
The first full and definitive narrative of one of the most shocking and largely unknown events of racial injustice in US the execution of nineteen Black soldiers in Texas
On the sweltering, rainy night of August 23, 1917, one of the most consequential events affecting America’s long legacy of racism and injustice began in Houston, Texas. Inflamed by a rumor that a white mob was arming to attack them, and after weeks of police harassment, more than 100 African American soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, took their weapons without authorization and, led by a sergeant, marched into the largely Black San Felipe district of the city. Violent confrontations with police and civilians ensued and nineteen lives were lost.
The Army moved quickly to court-martial 118 soldiers on charges of mutiny and murder, even though a majority of the soldiers involved had never fired their weapons. Inadequately defended en masse by a single officer who was not a lawyer and had no experience in capital cases, in three trials undermined by perjured testimony and clear racial bias, and confronted by an all-white tribunal committed to a rapid judgment, 110 Black soldiers were found guilty—despite the fact that no mutiny had, in fact, taken place. In the predawn darkness of December 11, thirteen of them were hanged at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio—hastily and in secret, without any chance to appeal. News of the largest mass execution in the Army’s history outraged the country and inspired preventive legislation; and yet six more Black soldiers were executed in early 1918 and the rest were sentenced to life in prison.
The Houston Incident, as it became known, has remained largely untold, a deep stain on the Army’s record and pride. Award-winning historian and Army veteran John A. Haymond has spent six years researching the events surrounding the Incident and leading the efforts that ultimately led, in November 2023, to the largest act of retroactive clemency in the Army’s history when the verdicts were overturned and honorable discharges awarded to all the soldiers involved. His dramatic chronicle of what transpired—situated amongst the rampant racism in Texas and the country—is a crucially important and harrowing reminder of our racially violent past, offering the promise that justice, even posthumously, can prevail.
On the sweltering, rainy night of August 23, 1917, one of the most consequential events affecting America’s long legacy of racism and injustice began in Houston, Texas. Inflamed by a rumor that a white mob was arming to attack them, and after weeks of police harassment, more than 100 African American soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, took their weapons without authorization and, led by a sergeant, marched into the largely Black San Felipe district of the city. Violent confrontations with police and civilians ensued and nineteen lives were lost.
The Army moved quickly to court-martial 118 soldiers on charges of mutiny and murder, even though a majority of the soldiers involved had never fired their weapons. Inadequately defended en masse by a single officer who was not a lawyer and had no experience in capital cases, in three trials undermined by perjured testimony and clear racial bias, and confronted by an all-white tribunal committed to a rapid judgment, 110 Black soldiers were found guilty—despite the fact that no mutiny had, in fact, taken place. In the predawn darkness of December 11, thirteen of them were hanged at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio—hastily and in secret, without any chance to appeal. News of the largest mass execution in the Army’s history outraged the country and inspired preventive legislation; and yet six more Black soldiers were executed in early 1918 and the rest were sentenced to life in prison.
The Houston Incident, as it became known, has remained largely untold, a deep stain on the Army’s record and pride. Award-winning historian and Army veteran John A. Haymond has spent six years researching the events surrounding the Incident and leading the efforts that ultimately led, in November 2023, to the largest act of retroactive clemency in the Army’s history when the verdicts were overturned and honorable discharges awarded to all the soldiers involved. His dramatic chronicle of what transpired—situated amongst the rampant racism in Texas and the country—is a crucially important and harrowing reminder of our racially violent past, offering the promise that justice, even posthumously, can prevail.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 27, 2025
“As the train rumbled through the East Texas town of Schulenburg, a soldier threw a note out the window. “Take Tex. and go to hell. I don’t want to go there any more in my life. Let’s go East and be treated as people.” It was signed “24th Inf.”
-John Haymond
Tensions built in Houston, Texas upon the arrival of an African American unit, 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment. The local police and many of its citizens welcomed these soldiers with bigotry, harassment and segregation.
On August 23, 1917 more than one hundred soldiers took up arms and marched to the streets, creating chaos and ending with 19 people dead. The question was raised, did these men snap under heavy racial treatment (particularly from law enforcement) or were they reacting to hearing that an angry white mob was approaching their camp with violent intentions? This unknown has plagued this story all these years after.
In the end these soldiers would face a court-martial that charged 110 men with mutiny. Nineteen soldiers were executed by hanging and 63 were sentenced to life in prison. Who was actually guilty and who was innocent did not matter in these appalling trials.
It’s impossible to read this book and not feel something from this story, whether it be sadness, anger or frustration. Haymond did an incredible job with this well researched and super detailed account.
Thank you @groveatlantic for gifting me this ARC!
-John Haymond
Tensions built in Houston, Texas upon the arrival of an African American unit, 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment. The local police and many of its citizens welcomed these soldiers with bigotry, harassment and segregation.
On August 23, 1917 more than one hundred soldiers took up arms and marched to the streets, creating chaos and ending with 19 people dead. The question was raised, did these men snap under heavy racial treatment (particularly from law enforcement) or were they reacting to hearing that an angry white mob was approaching their camp with violent intentions? This unknown has plagued this story all these years after.
In the end these soldiers would face a court-martial that charged 110 men with mutiny. Nineteen soldiers were executed by hanging and 63 were sentenced to life in prison. Who was actually guilty and who was innocent did not matter in these appalling trials.
It’s impossible to read this book and not feel something from this story, whether it be sadness, anger or frustration. Haymond did an incredible job with this well researched and super detailed account.
Thank you @groveatlantic for gifting me this ARC!
March 28, 2025
Black soldiers white lies is a deeply researched and compelling account of one of the most significant yet overlooked episodes of racial injustice in American military history. With meticulous attention to detail, Haymond reconstructs the tragic events of August 23, 1917, and their devastating aftermath, bringing to light the systemic racism that shaped the trials and punishments of the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment. His writing is both evocative and urgent, ensuring that this dark chapter is no longer consigned to obscurity.
That said, the book takes its time weaving through the many layers of the story. The opening chapters, while rich in historical context, move deliberately, introducing figures and events in a way that can feel meandering. The connections between the soldiers' actions, the legal proceedings, and the broader racial tensions of the time are slow to come into full focus. While this measured approach ultimately pays off—deepening the reader’s understanding of the institutional forces at play—it requires patience, particularly in the beginning.
Once the narrative gains momentum, however, Haymond’s account becomes gripping. The court-martials, riddled with injustice, are rendered with striking clarity, and the sheer scale of the legal and moral failures becomes undeniable. The latter sections, which detail the long-overdue clemency granted in 2023, provide a powerful sense of resolution—one that underscores both the weight of history and the possibility of righting past wrongs.
Despite its occasionally slow pacing, This is an essential read. Haymond’s dedication to uncovering the full truth behind this tragedy ensures that these soldiers’ stories are finally heard, and his work serves as a poignant reminder that justice, even when delayed, must never be abandoned
That said, the book takes its time weaving through the many layers of the story. The opening chapters, while rich in historical context, move deliberately, introducing figures and events in a way that can feel meandering. The connections between the soldiers' actions, the legal proceedings, and the broader racial tensions of the time are slow to come into full focus. While this measured approach ultimately pays off—deepening the reader’s understanding of the institutional forces at play—it requires patience, particularly in the beginning.
Once the narrative gains momentum, however, Haymond’s account becomes gripping. The court-martials, riddled with injustice, are rendered with striking clarity, and the sheer scale of the legal and moral failures becomes undeniable. The latter sections, which detail the long-overdue clemency granted in 2023, provide a powerful sense of resolution—one that underscores both the weight of history and the possibility of righting past wrongs.
Despite its occasionally slow pacing, This is an essential read. Haymond’s dedication to uncovering the full truth behind this tragedy ensures that these soldiers’ stories are finally heard, and his work serves as a poignant reminder that justice, even when delayed, must never be abandoned
June 23, 2025
Wow, what an informative and enlightening book. I do wish this incident had never taken place but John Haymond made excellent use of his military background and writing abilities to bring this incident to the broader public. It isn’t an easy read, and it isn’t for all readers, but those who make the effort will be well rewarded.
Black Soldiers served in the US Military from the Revolutionary War so their service in World War One was not as unusual as it would seem. That Blacks and mixed race men were segregated from whites and discriminated against in the military is also not unusual (though it should have been). What is unique is how the US Army took discrimination of Black soldiers to a new level of horror.
Black men who successfully enlisted in the Army were kept in separate units always led by a white officer. These units were often given lowly tasks, though some did see battle. The unit John Hammond focuses on is the 24th Infantry Regiment, formed in 1869. The unit served admirably in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War and on the Mexican Border. The unit was sent to the outskirts (now in the city limits) of Houston to guard the area during the construction of Camp Logan. The service men met resistance from the white Texan civilians who believed fully in the segregation of non-whites. The police were especially guilty of harassment and brutality against the Black soldiers. Events came to a full boil on the night of August 23, 1917 when approximately 150 men marched toward Houston and killed 9 people including several police officers.
John Hammond leads the reader through the details of the precipitating incidents as well as the night of the riots. The crux of the book is the courts-martial that followed and the extreme prejudice used to prosecute the soldiers. He cites excellent resources (this is when his military background is especially effective) to guide the reader through the three courts-martial and the men on both sides of the issue. He weaves the efforts of the newly established NAACP to come to the aid of the Black Soldiers.
It wasn’t a surprise to me that Black soldiers were discriminated against, but it was a shock to see how deeply imbedded in the hierarchy of the Army the discrimination went. These incidents of Black Soldiers, White Laws will shock you, as they should.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.
Black Soldiers served in the US Military from the Revolutionary War so their service in World War One was not as unusual as it would seem. That Blacks and mixed race men were segregated from whites and discriminated against in the military is also not unusual (though it should have been). What is unique is how the US Army took discrimination of Black soldiers to a new level of horror.
Black men who successfully enlisted in the Army were kept in separate units always led by a white officer. These units were often given lowly tasks, though some did see battle. The unit John Hammond focuses on is the 24th Infantry Regiment, formed in 1869. The unit served admirably in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War and on the Mexican Border. The unit was sent to the outskirts (now in the city limits) of Houston to guard the area during the construction of Camp Logan. The service men met resistance from the white Texan civilians who believed fully in the segregation of non-whites. The police were especially guilty of harassment and brutality against the Black soldiers. Events came to a full boil on the night of August 23, 1917 when approximately 150 men marched toward Houston and killed 9 people including several police officers.
John Hammond leads the reader through the details of the precipitating incidents as well as the night of the riots. The crux of the book is the courts-martial that followed and the extreme prejudice used to prosecute the soldiers. He cites excellent resources (this is when his military background is especially effective) to guide the reader through the three courts-martial and the men on both sides of the issue. He weaves the efforts of the newly established NAACP to come to the aid of the Black Soldiers.
It wasn’t a surprise to me that Black soldiers were discriminated against, but it was a shock to see how deeply imbedded in the hierarchy of the Army the discrimination went. These incidents of Black Soldiers, White Laws will shock you, as they should.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.
July 16, 2025
In 1917, the United States was far from being integrated and in the push to create the infrastructure to supply, train and ship soldiers to the European battle front, units such as the 24th Infantry were assigned to create some of these camps such as in Houston, Texas. Never mind that they were an African American unit, lead by white officers in the Deep South. There were tensions from their arrival, arguments over Jim Crow restrictions on public transport, belittling and racial slurs by contractors and a police force known for beatings and death threats with little provocation. On August 23, 1917, when rumors went through the Infantry's camp that a white mob was on their way to attack, panic broke out. Black Soldiers, White Laws: The Tragedy of the 24th Infantry in 1917 Houston focuses on this incident and the lengthy quest for true justice.
The events of August 23, caused the death of 20 people. After hearing the cry that a mob was on the way, soldiers gathered their weapons and ammunition and fired wildly out at the area surrounding the camp. Then, under the command of a non commissioned officer, members of the 3rd battalion marched out of camp to confront the supposed mob. The panic in the camp also struck the officers with the highest ranking officer fleeing the camp and being out of reach for hours.
Haymond is very thorough in the presentation. Providing expansive scene setting after a in media res opening. Then Haymond traces the time line of August 23 before the court martial and execution of 13 of the condemned. He rightly points out that even for the time period, much of the court-martial went against set policy and had a clear racial bias that was ignored with many witness inconsistencies and clear conflicts of interest . Any loss of life is a tragedy, but here there was no mitigation or consideration for the situation as it occurred. It all reads as a hasty scapegoating.
In the conclusion, Haymond shares his personal journey with the Houston Incident and his collaboration with many others in pursuit of clemency. Even within the military of 1917, the execution of the 13 caused changes in the procedures for court martial executions.
Recommend to readers or researchers of United States History, military history or long overdue justice.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
The events of August 23, caused the death of 20 people. After hearing the cry that a mob was on the way, soldiers gathered their weapons and ammunition and fired wildly out at the area surrounding the camp. Then, under the command of a non commissioned officer, members of the 3rd battalion marched out of camp to confront the supposed mob. The panic in the camp also struck the officers with the highest ranking officer fleeing the camp and being out of reach for hours.
Haymond is very thorough in the presentation. Providing expansive scene setting after a in media res opening. Then Haymond traces the time line of August 23 before the court martial and execution of 13 of the condemned. He rightly points out that even for the time period, much of the court-martial went against set policy and had a clear racial bias that was ignored with many witness inconsistencies and clear conflicts of interest . Any loss of life is a tragedy, but here there was no mitigation or consideration for the situation as it occurred. It all reads as a hasty scapegoating.
In the conclusion, Haymond shares his personal journey with the Houston Incident and his collaboration with many others in pursuit of clemency. Even within the military of 1917, the execution of the 13 caused changes in the procedures for court martial executions.
Recommend to readers or researchers of United States History, military history or long overdue justice.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
August 28, 2025
Black Soldiers, White Laws by John A. Haymond is a crucially important and eloquently crafted homage to the tragedy of the 24th infantry in 1917.
One gross injustice followed another, leaving 110 men denied justice for over a decade. Until now, the terrible truth of what happened on that tragic day in Houston, Texas was not only untold but etched into history as grossly inaccurate.
Setting the record straight, Haymond relays the honest facts in an impactful, compelling and riveting account of what truly happened on that fateful night. Although the many lives forever impacted never saw even the smallest iota of justice in their lifetimes, this book at long last dignifies their memories by retelling their story in its most honest and raw truth.
Come prepared, this book is an emotional read. To be honest, history is not a genre I generally grab for. But this book left me quickly turning the pages to see what happened next. It is, as others have already described, a ‘difficult-to-read but difficult-to-put-down’ kind of book.
Throughout this unflinching account of the Houston tragedy, Haymond brings the story to life with his impeccable attention to detail. His attention often reveals his own emotional impact. As an excellent historian, he gave an honorably accurate depiction of the tragedy and brought the story to life for the reader.
The epilogue delivers the only semblance of justice that could begin to be restored – clemency for all 110 men issued by the U.S. Army. Haymond, along with a dedicated team, ruthlessly examined every last detail – details previously flippantly ignored – in order to compile the evidence and fight for the Army to right its wrongs.
Prepare to be moved by this captivating account of a story finally retold in its honest truth.
One gross injustice followed another, leaving 110 men denied justice for over a decade. Until now, the terrible truth of what happened on that tragic day in Houston, Texas was not only untold but etched into history as grossly inaccurate.
Setting the record straight, Haymond relays the honest facts in an impactful, compelling and riveting account of what truly happened on that fateful night. Although the many lives forever impacted never saw even the smallest iota of justice in their lifetimes, this book at long last dignifies their memories by retelling their story in its most honest and raw truth.
Come prepared, this book is an emotional read. To be honest, history is not a genre I generally grab for. But this book left me quickly turning the pages to see what happened next. It is, as others have already described, a ‘difficult-to-read but difficult-to-put-down’ kind of book.
Throughout this unflinching account of the Houston tragedy, Haymond brings the story to life with his impeccable attention to detail. His attention often reveals his own emotional impact. As an excellent historian, he gave an honorably accurate depiction of the tragedy and brought the story to life for the reader.
The epilogue delivers the only semblance of justice that could begin to be restored – clemency for all 110 men issued by the U.S. Army. Haymond, along with a dedicated team, ruthlessly examined every last detail – details previously flippantly ignored – in order to compile the evidence and fight for the Army to right its wrongs.
Prepare to be moved by this captivating account of a story finally retold in its honest truth.
October 31, 2025
John Haymond skillfully interweaves personal stories, historical context, and legal doctrine into a story vital to understanding the structural and historical racism of the United States. His engaging and passionate style of writing brings life to the tragic stories of soldiers long since unjustly imprisoned and executed. John Haymond’s writing by no means matches the stereotype of dry history; his compassion for the victims, outrage at injustice, and devotion to the truth all draw in readers and make for a wonderfully engaging reader experience. The book’s vivid imagery, and especially its depiction of violence, fear, and death, transport you back into a society so dedicated to racial apartheid that it employed both institutional and vigilante violence to reinforce white supremacy.
Throughout the Black Solders, White Laws, John Haymond’s devotion to integrity, as well as his loyalty to fellow soldiers shines through. Most importantly, the book is not a mere history of the 24th infantry in 1917 but is proof that history matters and that there is no deadline for justice. John Haymond’s research project and book are indispensable in the ways they have forced us all to confront the ways a history of racist terrorism still impacts us. Performing one of the most vital tasks for a historian, John Haymond not only unearths the long-buried secrets of a very dark past but succeeds in challenging the United States Army to rectify a terrible wrongful conviction. Black Soldiers, White Laws is not merely a historical narrative; it is a symbol of the connection between scholarship and activism, and a challenge to all of us all to keep working for a more just and equal United States.
Throughout the Black Solders, White Laws, John Haymond’s devotion to integrity, as well as his loyalty to fellow soldiers shines through. Most importantly, the book is not a mere history of the 24th infantry in 1917 but is proof that history matters and that there is no deadline for justice. John Haymond’s research project and book are indispensable in the ways they have forced us all to confront the ways a history of racist terrorism still impacts us. Performing one of the most vital tasks for a historian, John Haymond not only unearths the long-buried secrets of a very dark past but succeeds in challenging the United States Army to rectify a terrible wrongful conviction. Black Soldiers, White Laws is not merely a historical narrative; it is a symbol of the connection between scholarship and activism, and a challenge to all of us all to keep working for a more just and equal United States.
July 15, 2025
Inflamed by a rumor that a white mob was arming to attack them, and after weeks of police harassment, more than 100 African American soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, marched into the largely Black San Felipe district of the city. Violent confrontations with police and civilians ensued and nineteen lives were lost. The Army moved quickly to court-martial 118 soldiers on charges of mutiny and murder, even though a majority of the soldiers involved had never fired their weapons. The Houston Incident, as it became known, has remained untold.
John A. Haymond’s writing is beautifully descriptive. There were moments I gasped and held my breath. It reads like a novel even though it is nonfiction. I will be honest. This book while a must read, is a hard book to read due to the subject matter. I think the fact it is hard to read, indicates how important it is we learn what happened.
Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press for an advance review copy. #PSYouretheWorst #BlackSoldiersWhiteLaws #NetGalley
John A. Haymond’s writing is beautifully descriptive. There were moments I gasped and held my breath. It reads like a novel even though it is nonfiction. I will be honest. This book while a must read, is a hard book to read due to the subject matter. I think the fact it is hard to read, indicates how important it is we learn what happened.
Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press for an advance review copy. #PSYouretheWorst #BlackSoldiersWhiteLaws #NetGalley
June 30, 2025
Extensively researched, exquisitely written. John Haymond has give us a compelling account of a barely known episode of injustice visited upon Black soldiers in 1917 before the integration of the U.S. army. The real events of this tragic epsiode are presented as if you were reading a crime thriller, even though the outcome is known from the start. An excellent introductory chapter describes the larger context of societal and official discrimination in the Jim Crow era that presents the background for the events in Houston in 1917. A brilliant book by one of the country's preeminent historians of military justice, and in this case injustice. The epilogue and the justice accorded to these soldiers 80 years later will leave you moved.
September 21, 2025
I had no idea that this egregious miscarriage of justice occurred. This black battalion found themselves stationed in Jim Crow Texas in the lead up to US soldiers deploying to Europe to fight in WWI. A domino of events led to the rumors of a white mob coming to attack the soldiers and several attempting to protect themselves only to find themselves court-martialed for insurrection (with several executed) despite the fact that not only did no one know for sure who participated but also the fact that no insurrection occurred. Haymond handled this story with care and dedication, bringing his personal experience and expertise to the narrative and thus creating a stark, no-nonsense accusation of the so-called military justice system. I highly recommend this book.
December 30, 2025
This is one of the saddest books I have read in a very long time and I am still thinking about it, days later.
Deeply researched and well-written, this is the story of the 24th Infantry and the disservice and horrors that happen to them when they are moved to 1917 Houston and are accosted with racial tension, race-baiting, and so many lies, deceit and one of the craziest coverups I have ever read about.
This book will boggle your mind, anger you, and bring you to tears. You absolutely should be reading it. This is a very important book and this story should be shouted from the rooftops.
Thank you to NetGalley, John A. Haymond, and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Deeply researched and well-written, this is the story of the 24th Infantry and the disservice and horrors that happen to them when they are moved to 1917 Houston and are accosted with racial tension, race-baiting, and so many lies, deceit and one of the craziest coverups I have ever read about.
This book will boggle your mind, anger you, and bring you to tears. You absolutely should be reading it. This is a very important book and this story should be shouted from the rooftops.
Thank you to NetGalley, John A. Haymond, and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2025
If you appreciate history, especially combined with military law and justice, then this is one you need to read. It’s not an easy read. Not because there are a lot of abstract legal concepts or military terminology, but because of the absolute miscarriage of justice inflicted upon American Soldiers. Even by the standards in effect in 1917, the men of the 24th Infantry Regiment were brutally denied the protections of the law the all Soldiers were entitled to.
Their story needed to be told.
Their story needed to be told.
December 15, 2025
Excellent, excellent book. Haymond was fair and presented the story of the Black soldiers with honor and dignity. He also didn't sugar coat any racial slurs, which I greatly appreciated as it takes away from the reality of this time period. Also, the narrator for the audiobook was fabulous!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews