Alcibiades DeBlanc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alcibiades DeBlanc
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| Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court | |
| In office 1877–1880 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | September 16, 1821 St. Martinville, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 8, 1883 (aged 62) St. Martinville, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mathilde Briant |
| Children | Derneville DeBlanc Gilbert DeBlanc |
| Residences | (1) St. Martinville, Louisiana (2) Franklin, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  Confederate Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Jean Maximilien Alcibiades Derneville DeBlanc (September 16, 1821 – November 8, 1883) was a lawyer and politician from Louisiana. He served as a colonel in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. After the war, he started a group called the Knights of the White Camelia. This group tried to stop newly freed African Americans from voting. They also tried to disrupt the Republican Party's efforts to organize. Their goal was to help the Democratic Party regain political control in Louisiana.
DeBlanc continued to oppose the changes happening after the war. In 1874, he led about 600 men to challenge a governor's election. He was briefly arrested by U.S. Marshals. In 1876, he became a Justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court. This happened after white Democrats regained political power in the state.
Early Life and Family
Alcibiades DeBlanc was born in 1821 in St. Martinville, Louisiana. His family had French ancestors. They had lived in Louisiana since it was a colony. He was a great-great-grandson of Louis Juchereau de St. Denis. St. Denis was famous for founding the town of Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Serving in the Civil War
Before the war, DeBlanc was a lawyer and a state politician. He joined the Confederate army on June 19, 1861. He started as a captain in the Eighth Louisiana Infantry. This group fought with the Army of Northern Virginia.
He was promoted to major in 1862. Then, he became a lieutenant colonel in 1863. He was captured in May 1863 but was released soon after. He fought in the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. There, he took command of his regiment after its leader was killed. He was wounded in the arm during this battle. President Jefferson Davis promoted him to colonel on July 2, 1863.
In 1864, he returned to Louisiana. He commanded Confederate reserve troops there. He surrendered to a Union general in June 1865. DeBlanc then helped keep order in Louisiana until Union forces arrived.
The Knights of the White Camellia
DeBlanc founded and led the Knights of the White Camellia from 1867 to 1868. This group was formed to oppose the changes after the Civil War. These changes were part of a period called Reconstruction. The Knights of the White Camellia were similar to other groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
Their main goal was for the Democratic Party to win the 1868 presidential election. They used intimidation and tried to stop newly freed African Americans from voting. They also committed election fraud. More votes were counted for the Democratic candidate than there were registered Democratic voters. Because of this violence and fraud, a government investigation overturned the election results in Louisiana.
After 1868, the Knights of the White Camellia became less active. However, other similar groups appeared. These included the White League in Louisiana and the Red Shirts in other states. They used similar tactics to try and regain political control. Elections during the 1870s often involved violence and fraud.
DeBlanc continued to oppose the Reconstruction efforts. In 1874, he led 600 armed men. They challenged the election of Governor William Kellogg. His forces were part of a larger group of white militia. This event was called the Battle of Liberty Place in New Orleans. They took control of government buildings for three days. They retreated when federal troops arrived. DeBlanc was arrested but never charged. People saw him as a hero and called him the "King of the Cadiens" (Acadians).
In 1876, DeBlanc was appointed as a Louisiana Supreme Court Justice. This happened after white Democrats regained political control in the state. Federal troops left Louisiana the next year. He served on the court from January 9, 1877, to April 5, 1880. His service ended when a new state constitution changed the court's structure. DeBlanc then returned to St. Martinville. He passed away in 1883 at the age of 62.
