S8 Ep1089: Robert Cwiklik, guest author, recounts how, in the wake of the 1874 White League coup, President Grant felt compelled to take dec

The John Batchelor Show · Jul 5, 2026 · 9m

Robert Cwiklik, guest author, recounts how, in the wake of the 1874 White League coup, President Grant felt compelled to take decisive action, despite the 1874 midterm elections flipping the House of Representatives to Democratic control. Grant initially used massive military force—including warships and infantry—to restore Governor Kellogg, but he realized a permanent solution was needed as white vigilantes continued to overthrow local officials across the South. Fearing that the gains of the Civil War were being erased, Grant turned to his most trusted and aggressive general, Phil Sheridan…