After the Civil War Ulysses S. Grant continued to command the United States Army. As president elect in 1868 Grant sent his trusted aide Horace Porter to visit Arkansas in December to determine the conditions there. The state had experienced severe political violence in 1868. Another aide, Orville Babcock accompanied Porter. They found that during the campaign leading up to Grant’s election former Confederates had unleashed a “reign of terror” against Grant supporters.
This is Porter’s report to Grant.
NY Times January 8, 1869
