Map source: https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/57333/battle-of-new-orleans-for-freedom-september-14-1874-hardee
The “Battle of Liberty Place” was an armed coup by the White League of Louisiana to reimpose “White Only” governance in the state. It took place on September 14, 1874 following weeks of planning. The map above and the “history” below recount the coup from the perspective of the white supremacist insurgents. For a more comprehensive look at this attack on Black Suffrage, here is my account of the insurgency.
Now, let’s look closely at the map. Below is the drawing of the Steamer Mississippi at the wharf along the Mississippi River at the base of Jackson Square. Underneath the name of the ship is the notation that it is “WITH ARMS.” Landward is the notation that there was a guard of Metropolitan Police in front of the ship, blocking White Leaguers from grabbing weapons from it.
The map depicts events along Canal Street, the central locus of the attempt to overthrow the state government, in great detail. Here it shows the location of the Henry Clay statue around which gathered the White League supporters rallying before the insurrection. The site is only three blocks from the center of Federal command at the Customs House. You will note that while the rally was depicted as “unarmed”, drawn on the map are the locations of White League armed forces under command of “McGloin,” “Borrland,” “Richardson,” and “Blanchard.” You can also see notations on the map of the locations where White League sympathizers and members “fell.”
This was not the only militarized sector of the city. In the detail below, the White League has barricaded several streets and stationed a number of paramilitary units. This square was important culturally in New Orleans, as well as politically. It is where City Hall was located and “General Ogden,” the commander of the White League, had his headquarters there. On Camp Strreet you can see a notation that “COLEMANS BATTERY” of the White League was stationed there, indicating the prresence of artillery.
