2nd Tyler, TX Slave Uprising Leads To Lynching

December 1, 2022 DG Montalvo

1862 - WE REMEMBER THE EXECUTED UNNAMED SLAVE

A Gripping Chronicle Echoing Through Time: Safeguarding History's Lessons

The Tyler Morning Telegraph revealed a chilling narrative—an alleged slave uprising that happened in 1862 during the tumultuous opening years of the Civil War. This event roiled the grounds of Smith County, leaving in its wake the execution of at least one slave and the imprisonment of 40 or 50 more. However, this tale is not isolated.

Two years prior, the embers of abolitionism and carpetbaggers were said to have ignited the first area slave uprising, resulting in a staggering toll of 80 lynchings across various counties in North East Texas, including Smith County.

As we gather these fragments of the past, it is crucial that we remember and retell this story with utmost care and intention. We must heed its significance in safeguarding against the echoes of history that threaten to resurface in our contemporary world. The haunting specter of authoritarianism looms, its tendrils reaching for power, while leaders, with dangerous allure, manipulate the flames of identity politics for their own gain.

To prevent the recurrence of such horrors, we must share this tale with unwavering resolve—a call to action, a plea for vigilance. Let the echoes of the past serve as a cautionary guide, reminding us of the perils of division, hatred, and oppression. By retelling this story, we fortify our collective consciousness, ensuring that the sacrifices and suffering of those who endured the ravages of history were not in vain.

In our era, when the foundations of democracy and equality are tested, we stand firm, armed with knowledge and empathy. We must reject the alluring whispers that seek to sow discord and animosity among us. Together, we forge a narrative rooted in unity, understanding, and justice. We weave a tapestry where the mistakes of the past are transformed into the lessons that shape our present and safeguard our future.

Let this story resonate within our hearts, instilling a commitment to building bridges, fostering empathy, and dismantling the divisive narratives that threaten the fabric of our society. Through remembrance and retelling, we break free from the chains of history's darkest moments, embarking on a collective journey towards a world where compassion triumphs over oppression, and where the lessons of the past guide us to a brighter tomorrow.

In all of the subject states, we observed that there is an astonishing absence of any effort to acknowledge, discuss, or address lynching. Many of the communities where lynchings took place have gone to great lengths to erect markers and monuments that memorialize the Civil War, the Confederacy, and historical events during which local power was violently reclaimed by white Southerners. These communities celebrate and honor the architects of racial subordination and political leaders known for their belief in white supremacy. There are very few monuments or memorials that address the history and legacy of lynching in particular or the struggle for racial equality more generally. Most communities do not actively or visibly recognize how their race relations were shaped by terror lynching .

Lynching In America

Source:

Tyler Morning Telegraph, Tyler, Texas, Tue Apr 02, 1996, Page 5
Barr, A. (1973). Black Texans: A History of Negroes in Texas, 1528-1971 (1st ed.). Jenkins Pub Co.