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The 1868 St. Bernard Parish Massacre: Blood in the Cane Fields
Author and historian Chris Dier reveals the horrifying true story behind the St. Bernard Parish Massacre.
As African American men gained the right to vote, white Democrats of St. Bernard Parish feared losing their majority. Armed groups mobilized to suppress these recently emancipated voters in the hopes of regaining a way of life turned upside down by the Civil War and Reconstruction. Days before the tumultuous presidential election of 1868, the parish descended into chaos. Freedpeople were dragged from their homes and murdered in cold blood. Many fled to the cane fields to hide from their attackers. The reported number of those killed varies from 35 to 135. The tragedy was hidden, but implications reverberated throughout the South and lingered for generations.
As African American men gained the right to vote, white Democrats of St. Bernard Parish feared losing their majority. Armed groups mobilized to suppress these recently emancipated voters in the hopes of regaining a way of life turned upside down by the Civil War and Reconstruction. Days before the tumultuous presidential election of 1868, the parish descended into chaos. Freedpeople were dragged from their homes and murdered in cold blood. Many fled to the cane fields to hide from their attackers. The reported number of those killed varies from 35 to 135. The tragedy was hidden, but implications reverberated throughout the South and lingered for generations.
- GenresHistorical
144 pages, Paperback
Published October 16, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 29, 2018
Thoughts on this book, which I read a couple of weeks ago, in bullet form:
1. I was so impressed with the amount of research that went into it, though not surprised since it was written by a history teacher (primary sources, yay!).
2. I learned so much about my hometown. Obviously this is NOT something I was taught in school at Chalmette High. I didn't know that my ancestors, the Islenos, were so involved in the violence against slaves and freedpeople. I thought everyone pretty much got along because they all had a similar level of poverty -- that is what has been passed down through my family, at least. It's jarring to realize how wrong I was.
3. I also didn't know that some Islenos were forcibly removed from the Canary Islands to modern-day St. Bernard Parish. I knew the history of African slavery, but this was a new piece of info for me.
4. I enjoyed the narrative style of writing. I read this in one evening! I do not generally read nonfiction books because I find them dry. But in this case, I couldn't put it down. The only negative I found in the generally well-written narrative is that there were some parts that were repetitive - not sure if on purpose to make a point about what basically amounted to hardcore voter suppression by way of murder and scare tactics.
5. I would recommend this to any and everyone interested in the history of St. Bernard Parish, as the implications of this massacre and the violence surrounding it are still evident today (in my opinion).
1. I was so impressed with the amount of research that went into it, though not surprised since it was written by a history teacher (primary sources, yay!).
2. I learned so much about my hometown. Obviously this is NOT something I was taught in school at Chalmette High. I didn't know that my ancestors, the Islenos, were so involved in the violence against slaves and freedpeople. I thought everyone pretty much got along because they all had a similar level of poverty -- that is what has been passed down through my family, at least. It's jarring to realize how wrong I was.
3. I also didn't know that some Islenos were forcibly removed from the Canary Islands to modern-day St. Bernard Parish. I knew the history of African slavery, but this was a new piece of info for me.
4. I enjoyed the narrative style of writing. I read this in one evening! I do not generally read nonfiction books because I find them dry. But in this case, I couldn't put it down. The only negative I found in the generally well-written narrative is that there were some parts that were repetitive - not sure if on purpose to make a point about what basically amounted to hardcore voter suppression by way of murder and scare tactics.
5. I would recommend this to any and everyone interested in the history of St. Bernard Parish, as the implications of this massacre and the violence surrounding it are still evident today (in my opinion).
December 13, 2017
A very important but forgotten part of Louisiana history. Interesting to learn more about the development of St. Bernard parish.
July 28, 2020
An amazing account of an unknown massacre of over 150 years ago. The degree of voter intimidation leading to almost complete voter suppression was astounding. We are supposed to be learning from history, not repeating it, yet here we are. This historical account included the current practices we now see if pitting social classes and/or races against each other, deflecting from the political policies that are really to blame for economic hardships experienced by then on-elite of America. Also, businesses take priority and individual people and communities are left lose progress and stability for their benefit.
Snippets of history such as this make me wonder about all the other stories, events and people that are lost to us. I had no idea of just how diverse Louisiana was as many different groups of people settled the territory early on. Who knew about the Filipinos? America truly was diverse from the very beginning, and will always be that way, even surviving through the attempts of some to “return” to a more homogeneous state.
Snippets of history such as this make me wonder about all the other stories, events and people that are lost to us. I had no idea of just how diverse Louisiana was as many different groups of people settled the territory early on. Who knew about the Filipinos? America truly was diverse from the very beginning, and will always be that way, even surviving through the attempts of some to “return” to a more homogeneous state.
February 21, 2021
A compelling account of a little known atrocity that transpired during Reconstruction, a period of history that deserves more of our attention. The book is meticulously and thoroughly researched,
offering a rich portrait of what St. Bernard Parish was like in the mid 19th century, down to the politics and the patchwork of ethnic groups that made up the population. A fascinating read.
offering a rich portrait of what St. Bernard Parish was like in the mid 19th century, down to the politics and the patchwork of ethnic groups that made up the population. A fascinating read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews