From Parish Patrols to Strike-Breaking: Confederate Tactical Continuity in the 1887 Louisiana Sugar Crisis

This paper explores the intricate triangular dynamics among the Knights of Labor, Louisiana sugar workers, and federal military forces during Reconstruction, particularly from 1881 to 1887. Through an analysis of military correspondence, organizing documents from the Knights of Labor, and local newspaper articles, the research highlights how the gradual reduction of federal military presence significantly affected the power dynamics between organized labor and the planter class. It argues that the Knights of Labor's efforts to mobilize sugar workers were deeply influenced by both the presence and absence of federal military strength, creating fluctuating opportunities for labor organizations while limiting the potential for worker actions. Particular emphasis is placed on the 1887 sugar strike, which marked the peak of the Knights' organizational strength and the harsh repercussions of insufficient federal support. The findings illustrate how the convergence of labor rights and civil rights in the post-Reconstruction South was primarily shaped by federal military policy, enhancing our understanding of how state power impacted labor movements in the American South. This study offers fresh perspectives on the interplay between federal authority, labor organizing, and racial violence in the late 19th-century South.