#gengordangranger

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U.S. Gen. Gordan Granger

“Men and women screamed, ‘We’s free! We’s free!’” – Juneteenth celebrants; wharves, Galveston, TX

In June of 1865, Texas was in chaos.  Texas had never been conquered during the War.  It had recently been an independent Country. The 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, would not be ratified until December 6, 1865.  More to the point, the economy depended on slave labor. Newspapers speculated that a form of forced black labor would continue.  

The Federal government was concerned about being overwhelmed by newly freed slaves flocking to U.S. outposts.  Furthermore, in violation of the Monroe Doctrine, France had installed a puppet emperor in April of 1864.  Former confederates were contemplating exile in Mexico to fight for Emperor Maximilian.

On June 17, 1865, U.S. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas as the commander of the newly formed District of Texas.  Today, Granger is best known for coming to US Gen George “Rock of Chickamauga” Thomas’s aid during the Battle of Chickamauga, GA . 

To settle the slavery issue, it would have been expedient to read Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.  Instead Granger composed General Order No. 3, read from the balcony of Ashton Villa on June 19th.  

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

The Order was not graciously received by all.  It was reported that a slave patrol whipped one hundred celebrants.  A jubilant newly freed slave was told by his former master that if he jumped again, “I will shoot you between the eyes.”

The reverberations from Order No. 3 never really ceased.  It was the first official news of slavery’s end and just as importantly, specifying equality of rights.  

Initially, Juneteenth was a holiday celebrated by former slaves and their descendants.  It became an official Texas holiday in 1979.