Memphis Massacre (1866)

Tue May 01, 1866

Image

Image: Black Americans attacked in Memphis Riot, May 2nd, 1866, Harper’s Weekly, May 26th, 1866 [blackpast.org]

On this day in 1866, Memphis, Tennessee police were dispatched to break up a block party of black union veterans and their families. When veterans refused to disperse, a scuffle broke out that led to a city-wide race riot. The violence continued for two days, killing nearly 50 people and more than 75 more.

The Memphis Massacre began when a large group of black union veterans, women, and children gathered in the street, forming an impromptu street party. Police were sent to disperse the crowd, and, after the ex-soldiers refused to disperse, the four officers retreated and called for reinforcements. The soldiers gave chase and gunfire broke out, killing one officer.

This led to mobs of white residents, including policemen, firefighters, and city officials, rampaging through black neighborhoods and the houses of freedmen, attacking, raping, and killing black soldiers and civilians.

Families were burned alive as their houses were set on fire and the mob prevented them from fleeing. In total, 46 black and 2 white people were killed, 75 persons injured (mostly black), over 100 robbed, and 5 black women testified they were raped.