The 1864 Bread Riot by nomorewars
The Galveston Custom House was built in 1861, &, as such, has witnessed some of the most perilous moments in U.S. History. From war & natural disasters, this building has withstood the test of time.Not only has this building witnessed so much tragedy, it was also the scene of one of Galveston's most obscure moments in history. In 1864, at the order of General James M. Hawes of the Confederate Army, the military commissary stopped selling flour to confederate soldiers' families. In response, a large contingent of civilians protested the decision, leading to what has become known as the "Bread Riot." Hungry & sick hundreds of wives of confederate soldiers stormed the Customs House demanding flour.
General Hawes declared Galveston to be an entrenched camp, thereby placing the city's populace under martial law. As a result of both confederate control & union blockades, an yellow fevor epidemic engulfed the city, killing over 100 soldiers & an unknown number of civilians.
