(Dec 17th) Today in history: Grant expels all Jews from Kentucky, Tennessee, & Mississippi

[Behind the Aegis]

In the middle of the Civil War, General Grant expelled all Jewish persons out the area controlled by his armies. It is a near-forgotten episode, in part because of President Lincoln’s remarkable decision to overturn his most popular general in the middle of the war.

In 1862, Grant’s armies controlled territory that included portions of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. As commander over this “department,” Grant was responsible for governing his territory. This included tight regulation of cotton sales, as limited supply had led to speculation and black markets.

While the practice was widespread, anti-Semitism led Grant and others to place blame on Jews. Grant described “the Israelites” as “an intolerable nuisance.”

As part of regulating the cotton trade, the Treasury Department required merchants to have trade permits. Grant’s father arrived from Missouri in November 1862 with some merchants seeking permits. When Grant realized that his father’s colleagues were Jews, Grant ordered travel restrictions for Jews and a ban on their involvement in the trade of cotton. In December, Grant went even further. He issued his infamous Order No. 11 stated:
more...

[hr]

A bit of history I didn't even know. It has a "happy ending" more or less.

[delrem]

1. Considering the close ties between the USA and Israel

I'd agree that this story has a "happy ending" more or less.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. This thread has NOTHING to do with Israel.

But thank you for your example.

[delrem]

9. Oh come on! Of course there's a connection!

sheee! Talk about turning a blind eye

[Behind the Aegis]

10. And talk about your continued example.

The story is about anti-Semitism in history, not Israel, but some can't see that simple fact.

[delrem]

11. Cut the crap.

I said that the good relations, the close relations that exist today between the US and Israel are a "happy ending" to a bad story told by Grant during the civil war days. That's all I said!

If you want to deny that, go ahead. After all, you're the authority.
So deny it, but don't you throw calumny my way for saying it!

[Behind the Aegis]

12. Follow your own advice.

Your comment was no different than if someone posted about historical racism, then a poster came along and said "but what about OBAMA!?"

[delrem]

13. Piss on it, then. There's no pleasing some folk. nt

[brush]

19. Leave it alone. Israel obviously did not exist then but criticizing . . .

a well-intentioned post is not worth it.

[elleng]

3. 'Thanks' for the good news part.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. What?

Why would the reversal of Grant's actions evoke a ?

[elleng]

6. Sorry, reversal evokes thanks,

for the story behind it.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Oh, OK. LOL!

DU is acting weird tonight, I thought it might be a product of that. I appreciate the clarification. I am thinking about trying the Challah recipe you provided. PRAY!

[elleng]

8. I'll pray for your Challah

which is unusual as I don't pray. I DID make bread, but that was years ago, and wasn't Challah.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.

[Mosby]

21. Amain. :)

[SamKnause]

4. Thanks for posting.

I love history.

[MBS]

15. Wow, fascinating.

Horrible in its irony (even as Grant was fighting slavery, prejudice still reared its head), but, as you said, a sort-of-happy ending. Especially, good for Lincoln that he ordered Grant to reverse this order.

[ellenrr]

16. Interesting! didn't know this. thanks. nt

[bemildred]

17. Thanks, I didn't know that either. nt

[GTurck]

18. EDX class...

This goes nicely with an Edx.org class I am taking with Eric Foner at Columbia on the Civil War and Reconstruction. Edx is an online site of college courses that is free and includes some of the best schools and scholars around the world. Many history and philosophy courses but 100's of other subjects too.:

[Stuart G]

20. k and r...no text...