The Camilla Massacre

Things were volatile in 1868 in Georgia. The state began the year under federal control, the war had everything still in shambles and cotton was still king, but labor was tough without slavery to impose on 44% of the population. In South Georgia, Baker County had just been created, with Camilla as the county seat. In July, the federales handed Georgia back its statehood, believing the state was ready for self-governance. So, white Democrats quickly ejected 33 House and Senate members from the Legislature on account of being 1/8 or more Black. This, three years after the Civil War had ended in the South’s defeat. How did they know the legislators were Black? Looked at them.

In September 1868, one of those expelled members, Philip Joiner, organized a march from Albany to Camilla, roughly 25 miles. The group intended to gather more marchers along the route, give some political speeches and do some canvassing to sign up Republicans for the upcoming elections. As was true at the time and is still true today, Georgia law allowed the carrying of long arms in public, so long as the arms are open to view. About half of the 200-plus marchers had long guns, most with one load of birdshot as they had been assured by well-meaning people that no violence would occur. However, when they got to the edge of town, Sheriff Poore and a committee of concerned citizens met them and insisted they go home. After exploring an alternative site, they approached the sheriff and reminded him that they had a legal right to meet. The sheriff told them to leave their guns in a pile and they could march into town. That didn’t go over well, and on they marched, taking their poorly stocked guns with them.

The marchers arrived at the courthouse and noticed that the Whites had assembled in two groups such that the marchers were going to be sitting ducks. As the band began to play, the Whites opened fire, sending the marchers either to their graves or into the swamp. When the shooting stopped, 15 marchers were dead and 40 were wounded. The wounded and the others gathered the next morning back in Albany and planned what to do. They wanted to attack, but cooler heads prevailed. The state response was to do nothing. Absolutely nothing. The federal response was to rescind Georgia’s statehood, order the 33 reinstated and to reimpose federal supervision. For less than one year. Nobody went on trial. Nobody went to jail.

The succeeding election saw the white Democrats, outnumbered 4-1, win the local elections. Using physical intimidation, threats, fraud and poll manipulation, Democrats accomplished their goal. None of the 33 officials were returned to office. Through the “county unit system,” poll taxes and other obstacles, Democrats held onto power for more than 100 years. 

To my Republican friends and legislators, there must be a way of reducing fraud without creating more obstacles to the right to vote. SB202 was a good start but the Democrats were lying in wait to attack any meaningful reforms, no matter the legitimacy of the actual law. Work on your messaging and consider better-accepted platforms, policies and positions. Don’t get ambushed again by the Democrats.

Kelly Burke, retired attorney, former district attorney and magistrate judge, writes about the law, rock ’n’ roll, and politics or anything that strikes him. These articles are not designed to give legal advice but are designed to inform the public about how the law affects their daily lives. Contact Kelly at dakellyburke@gmail.com to comment on this article or suggest articles that you’d like to see, and visit his website at www.kellyrburke.com to view prior columns and contact Kelly. 

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