Where in our school history books was the chapter on massacres? I recall only reading about one or two Indian massacres and also the famous Boston massacre which the brave citizens of Boston were victims. Every student had to memorize that date in my school. The massacre was said to have precipitated our Revolutionary War against the Brits. There was nothing on this Black massacre which happened today, 1919 in Arkansas. In fact, Black massacres were almost common at one time in our history. Unfortunately, you have to dig deeply to find them. Below, image of exaggerated, racist newspaper article covering the Elaine Massacre; October 3, 1919. Also, below, an article from historian Howard Zinn:
On Dec. 9, 1864, on the march to Savannah, hundreds or thousands of African American families who had just escaped from slavery were left to drown by Sherman’s Army. This is referred to as the Massacre at Ebenezer Creek.
“On the pretence that there was likely to be fighting in front, the negroes were told not to go upon the pontoon-bridge until all the troops and wagons were over: a guard was detailed to enforce the order,” recalled Col. Charles Kerr of the 16th Illinois Cavalry in a speech 20 years after the incident. “As soon as we were over the creek, orders were given to the engineers to take up the pontoons and not let a negro cross. . . . I sat upon my horse then and witnessed a scene the like of which I pray my eyes may never see again.”
On Dec. 9, 1864, on the march to Savannah, hundreds or thousands of African American families who had just escaped from slavery were left to drown by Sherman’s Army. This is referred to as the Massacre at Ebenezer Creek.
“On the pretence that there was likely to be fighting in front, the negroes were told not to go upon the pontoon-bridge until all the troops and wagons were over: a guard was detailed to enforce the order,” recalled Col. Charles Kerr of the 16th Illinois Cavalry in a speech 20 years after the incident. “As soon as we were over the creek, orders were given to the engineers to take up the pontoons and not let a negro cross. . . . I sat upon my horse then and witnessed a scene the like of which I pray my eyes may never see again.”