Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Civil War Women’s Riot
Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011
1. Civil War Women’s Riot Marker
Inscription.
Civil War Women’s Riot. . On April 11, 1863, during the American Civil War, sixty-five Columbus women armed with knives and pistols rallied at this site and marched down Broad Street raiding the stores of speculators before police could restore order. During the war many planters ignored the Confederate government’s plea to grow food crops and continued to focus on cotton production instead, which was much more profitable but resulted in a food shortage that hit southern urban women particularly hard. Hoarding food and other commodities by speculating merchants made problems even worse. Women responded by staging riots all across the South, including in every major city in Georgia.
On April 11, 1863, during the American Civil War, sixty-five Columbus women armed with knives and pistols rallied at this site and marched down Broad Street raiding the stores of speculators before police could restore order. During the war many planters ignored the Confederate government’s plea to grow food crops and continued to focus on cotton production instead, which was much more profitable but resulted in a food shortage that hit southern urban women particularly hard. Hoarding food and other commodities by speculating merchants made problems even worse. Women responded by staging riots all across the South, including in every major city in Georgia.
Erected 2011 by Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. (Marker Number 106-2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1863.
Location. 32° 28.29′ N, 84° 59.593′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Marker is on Broadway, 0 miles north of 13th Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
This view is looking north on Broadway at the marker and the fountain by which it stands.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,613 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
