White League Stages Coup in New Orleans, Holds City Three Days

On September 14, 1874, approximately 3,500-5,000 White League members fought and defeated the Metropolitan Police and Black state militia in the Battle of Liberty Place in New Orleans, killing 27 defenders. The White League overthrew Republican Governor William Kellogg's government and held the city for three days until President Grant ordered federal troops to restore Kellogg. The brazen coup demonstrated that armed white supremacists could openly seize a state government.