and terrorism to prevent him from voting, or to make him vote “right.” In Louisiana and a less degree in other states between 1866 and 1876, thousands of Negroes were massacred by armed bands. The details of these horrors are to be found in government reports. The general outline is indicated by this statement to President Grant by General Philip Sheridan.

Since 1866 nearly 3,600 persons, a great majority of whom were colored men, have been killed and wounded in this state (Louisiana). In 1868 official records show 1,885 were killed and wounded. From 1868 to the present time, 1875, no official investigation has been made and the civil authorities in all but a few cases were unable to arrest, convict, or punish the perpetrators…. There is ample evidence to show that more than 1,200 persons have been killed and wounded during this time on account of their political sentiments. Frightful massacres have occurred in the parishes of Bossier, Caddo, Atahoula, St. Bernard, St. Landry, Grant and Orleans…. In St. Landry in 1868 in a massacre of three to six days, 200 to 300 colored men were killed…. The total summing up of murders, maimings, and whippings for political reasons in September, October and November, 1868, as shown by official sources is over 1,000….²¹

In a report on Negro atrocities, President Grant on December 6, 1876, transmitted to Congress a report listing persons maimed, whipped or murdered and the perpetrators of the crimes for the period 1866–1876. It covered ninety-eight pages of fine print averaging a victim a line, and the list was estimated to include about 4,000 cases. Another report in two volumes by a Congressional Committee of which the late John Sherman was chairman deals with the Louisiana election frauds in connection with the Hayes-Tilden contest. One case will show their nature:

November 23.

Benjamin Morgan, being sworn, says: I am the coroner of the Parish of East Baton Rouge…. I was informed on April 13, 1876, that two men had been killed. I

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