Season 5, Episode 3- The 1863 Civil War Riot

The Detroit History Podcast

Smack in the middle of the Civil War, Detroit experienced a riot that was characterized as "the most brutal and bloody riot that ever disgraced any community." A local bar owner, Thomas Faulkner, who was thought to be African-American (he wasn't) went to trial in March, 1863 on sexual assault charges. The accuser was a 10-year-old white girl who later recanted her story. A riot broke out as Faulkner was being escorted to the jail house following his conviction. Two people died. It also set local African-Americans fleeing into the wood and across the Detroit River to Canada. We tell the story with the help of historians Martin Hershock and Ken Coleman.