1866 MEMPHIS MASSACRE 

,On May 1-3, 1866, mobs of white men led by
the police attacked black people in areas near
South St. (aka Calhoun GE. Patterson).1 By the
end of these riots, the mobs had killed an
estimated 46 black people; raped several black
women; and committed numerous robberies and
arsons.2 No one was prosecuted for this
massacre, but news of it was widely reported.3
The ensuing outrage prompted Congress to pass
laws that led to the ratification of the 14th
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.4~

4 177
Memphis Race Riot of 1866

On May I, 2, and 3, 1866, Memphis suffered the worst racial violence in its history. The Memphis Race
Riot of 1866 was an explosion of age and violence perpetrated by up to 300 white Irish immigrants,
including many who were policemen, against recently-emancipated blacks, thousands of whom had
moved to the city during and immediately following the Civil War. At least 30 blacks Were mord'ered,
dozens more wounded, several raped, and many others robbed. Rioters torched numerous black Churches,

schools, and houses.

Federal troops sti?ed stationed in the city and the locai Freedmen?s Bureau provided little protection or
assistance. No one was prosecuted in connection with the riot. The Memphis riot and a race riot in New
Orleans two later were rallying cries in the momentous balled over the nation's reconstruction following
the Civil War. Ultimately, they helped ensure adoption of the Fainteenth Amendment to the U. S.
Constitution, which prohibits states from denying any citizen due process or equal protection under the

law.

LOCATION: Army-Navy Park, Second St. and G. E. Patterson Avenue (aka Calhoun) Memphis (Shelby
County), Tennessee GPS: Latitude: 35.1327588; Longitude: 90.056486?

 

 

4E 177

Memphis Race Riot of 1866

?The Memphis Massacre1866, an estimated 200?300 white people, the great majority of
whom were Irish immigrants, including many policemen, attacked recently?
emancipated black people. At least 40 blacks were murdered, dozens more wounded,
several black women were raped, and many others robbed, Rioters burned numerous
black churches, schools, and houses. Federal troops still stationed in the city
restored order on May 3. No one was prosecuted in connection with the riot, which
was characterized by several newspaper accounts and a Congressional committee

report as a ?massacre.?

The Memphis riot was a rallying cry in the momentous battle over the nation's
reconstruction following the Civil War. Ultimately, it helped Congress?s passage
and submission to the states of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U. S.
Constitution.

LOCATION: Army-Navy Parks, Second St. and G. E. Patterson Avenue (a/k/a Calhoun)

Memphis (Shelby County), Tennessee; GPS: Latitude 35.1327588; Longitude:
V9O.OS64867.