1 juin 1874 - Coushatta massacre

Description:

An attack by the White League, a paramilitary organization composed of white Southern Democrats, on Republican officeholders and freedmen in Coushatta, the parish seat of Red River Parish, Louisiana.

When tensions arose following the murder of an African-American Union Army veteran who was serving in the Louisiana State Senate, members of the White League arrested several White Republicans and twenty freedmen, accusing them of plotting a "negro rebellion". Within two days, hundreds of armed Whites arrived in Coushatta. After holding them hostage for several days, the captors forced the officeholders to sign a statement saying they would immediately leave Louisiana. While traveling out of the region, six White captives were murdered by a band of armed whites, led by Dick Coleman. Elsewhere in Coushatta and nearby, Whites attacked numerous African Americans, resulting in at least four deaths.

Although twenty-five men were arrested for the massacre, because of lack of evidence, none were brought to trial.

Violence continued throughout the state. The Coushatta massacre was followed shortly by a large White League insurrection in New Orleans, where they hoped to install the Democrat John McEnery as governor.