The 1811 German Coast Uprising (8-11 January 1811) was the largest slave revolt in US history involving between 300-500 enslaved and free Blacks in the Louisiana parishes of St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, and Jefferson in the Territory of Orleans. The revolt was brutally crushed by militia, and US military and official reports minimized its scope.
As the Territory of Orleans had only recently been acquired by the US government in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase, it was still regarded as a 'frontier' region prone to lawlessness, and so the revolt did not receive the same widespread coverage from US media as Gabriel's Rebellion (1800, Virginia) had or Denmark Vesey's Conspiracy (1822, South Carolina) or Nat Turner's Rebellion (1831, Virginia) would later.
The uprising takes its best-known name from the region along the west bank of the Mississippi River (north of New Orleans) known to locals of the time as the "German Coast", due to its settlement by Germans in the 1720s and was led by Charles Deslondes (l. c. 1789-1811), who was an overseer on the Woodland Plantation of Colonel Manuel Andry.
Deslondes began the revolt on 8 January at Woodland (which is why the uprising is sometimes referred to as Andry's Rebellion) and then marched toward New Orleans (where he planned to join his band with others to take the city), destroying property, and gathering arms and supplies as he went. Colonel Andry, who survived the attack on his home, raised the alarm, and the revolt was put down by 11 January.
Although it was the largest uprising in US history, the 1811 German Coast Uprising is not as well-known as the insurrections of Gabriel Prosser, Denmark Vesey, and Nat Turner, owing to its brutal suppression and lack of coverage by US media. Whether it inspired the later revolts of Vesey and Turner is debated as is its effect on the abolitionist movement of the Northern US states.
Background
The first two enslaved Africans were brought to the region in 1708 when it was under the control of France. As importation of slaves from West Africa increased, by 1721, half the population of New Orleans were Black slaves. After the US acquired the region in 1803, abolitionists called for restrictions on the slave trade in Louisiana, but the sugar boom along the Mississippi River in the territory (which gave rise to the great sugar cane plantations) required a significant workforce, which was filled by slave labor.
During and after the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), sugar cane plantations became more numerous, requiring more slaves and, at the same time, Free Blacks fleeing the violence in Haiti arrived at New Orleans. As the Black population grew, so did the White population's fears of a slave uprising but, as the slaveholders kept tight control of the enslaved community – through laws and personal policies on plantations – they seem to have felt they had the situation under control and all was well.
Charles Deslondes was one of the many enslaved, numbering over 25,000 in 1811, who felt differently. Charles was born the property of one Jacques Deslondes c. 1789 and was hired out to Colonel Andry sometime after 1793 (when Jacques died) by Mrs. Deslondes, Jacques' widow. By 1811, he was an overseer on Andry's plantation.
It is unclear whether Charles was literate (or may have been a free Black), but he was aware of the underlying philosophy of the French Revolution (1789-1799) through the preaching of itinerant French abolitionists, knew of the Haitian Revolution through reports by the influx of free Blacks and other refugees, and was also influenced by the ideas of freedom and equality that fueled the American Revolution (1765-1789). On 6 January 1811, he held council with at least two other slaves – Quamana Brown and Harry Kenner – to start his own revolution.
The Revolt
By the 6th, when they met, the plans had already been laid and set in motion. Later testimony makes clear that slaves all along the German Coast were aware of the coming revolt and many – though not all – were prepared to join. On 8 January, Deslondes led an attack on Andry at his mansion, killing the free Black overseer, Thomassin, and severely wounding Colonel Andry. Early reports also claim that the rebels killed Andry's son, though this has been challenged.
The rebel army outfitted themselves with uniforms from Andry's wardrobe and some armed themselves with muskets from the house, but, as they moved on, most carried farming implements such as axes, hoes, cane knives (used to cut sugarcane), pikes, and whips. They moved from Andry's plantation to his neighbors, the Deslondes, where their numbers grew.
When they reached the plantation of James Brown (master of Quamana), they were joined by the slave Kook, whose name was later among those most often mentioned, after Charles Deslondes, as a leader of the revolt. Kook killed the White planter Francois Trepagnier and set houses on fire as they marched south.
Meanwhile, Andry had survived the attack and raised the alarm, mobilizing the local militia and sending word to Governor William C. C. Claiborne (l. c. 1773-1817). On 9 January, Claiborne deployed the New Orleans militia as well as detachments of regular army and navy to meet the slaves before they reached the city.
The rebel army by this time is estimated to have been between 200-500, men and women, organized into units each with their own commander who rode on horseback. By the afternoon of the 9th, they had reached the Fortier Plantation where they camped. The forces from New Orleans arrived near the Fortier place that night and planned to attack, but Deslondes had been warned and retreated back north.
On the 10th, near the Bernoudy Plantation, they were met by heavily armed militia under Colonel Andry and one Charles Perret and dispersed. Approximately 45 of Deslondes' rebels were killed in the initial attack, and, lacking firepower, the rest fled into the surrounding fields and swamplands. Throughout the 10th, the militia hunted down the rebels and, on the 11th, captured Charles Deslondes, ending the revolt.
Aftermath & Legacy
Deslondes was given no trial. His hands were cut off and he was repeatedly shot in both legs before being burned alive. Any slave caught fleeing was killed, decapitated, and the head placed on a pike which was then raised along the road from New Orleans to the Andry Plantation, some 60 miles (96 km), as a warning to others.
There is some confusion in the records as to casualties since early reports claim Andry's son was killed, but his son Gilbert had died shortly before the revolt began. He could have had another son, of course, who was confused with Gilbert. The official count of White deaths was two while Black deaths numbered 95, which is considered low. It is likely far more rebels in Deslondes' band were killed after they were dispersed on the 10th and during the hunt for them through the 11th.
As noted, the early reports refer to the slave army as "bandits" and "brigands", and, although the phrase "slave insurrection" is used in some, the suppression of the actual nature of the revolt began as soon as it was crushed. Official court documents refer to the "slave uprising" and correspondence between Claiborne and President Thomas Jefferson do the same, but, it seems, no White publication was willing to address how well-organized the revolt had been, from the initial attack on Andry to the disciplined march south to the rhythm of drums.
It also seems clear that the brutality used in putting down the revolt was nothing anyone wished to call attention to, and so the revolt was redefined as an uprising by a group of bandits only interested in pillage and destruction, instead of an army of slaves seeking freedom. Scholar Daniel Rasmussen writes:
Because of that brutality, and because of a shared belief in the importance of a specific form of political and economic development, these government officials and slave owners sought to write this massive uprising out of the history books – to dismiss the bold actions of the slave army as irrelevant and trivial. They succeeded. And, in doing so, they laid the groundwork for one of the most remarkable moments of historical amnesia in our national memory. While Nat Turner and John Brown have become household names, Kook and Quamana, Harry Kenner, and Charles Deslondes have barely earned a footnote in American history.
(2)
The following primary sources bear out Rasmussen's claim as both the newspaper report and the summary of the trial proceedings in 1811 downplay the actual event, favoring the "brigand attack" interpretation of a major slave insurrection as an event of little importance.
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The following primary sources are taken from The Complete Records of the Charles Deslondes Revolt, compiled by Joseph E. Holloway on The Slave Rebellion website.
Thursday, January 17, 1811: The Louisiana Gazette and New Orleans Advertiser:
It is very difficult to obtain anything like a correct statement of the damages done by the banditti on the coast. They commenced their depredations on the night of the 8th inst, at Mr. Andry's–killed young Mr. Andry and wounded the old gentleman. After seizing some public arms, liquor stores, and getting half drunk, they marched down the coast from plantation to plantation plundering and destroying property on their way; the inhabitants generally made their escape and the banditti continued on their march until 4 o'clock in the afternoon of Wednesday when they arrived at the plantation of Mr. Cadit Fortier. There they halted (having marched upwards of three leagues) and commenced killing poultry, cooking, eating, drinking, and rioting.
When the alarm reached the city, much confusion was manifested-non-regular corps of militia, no order nor discipline; yet with a strong disposition was shown by many to render every service in their power. The most active citizens armed themselves and in about an hour after three alarm (although the weather was extremely bad) commenced their march. Their force did not exceed thirty men, mounted on tolerable horses but were continually reinforced as they progressed up the coast. The road for two or three leagues was crowded with carriages and carts full of people making their escape from the ravages of banditti–negroes, half naked, up to the knees in mud, with large packages on their heads driving along toward the city.
The accounts we received were various. Fear and panic seized those that were making their escape. It was not possible to make any estimate of the force of the brigands. Some of them to be 500 strong, and that one half of them were armed with muskets and fusils and the others with [?] bres and cane knives.
When we had arrived within a league of Mr. Fortier's where the banditti were feasting, our numbers had increased near one hundred, but badly armed and accoutered. Major Darrington, of the United States Infantry, was named as our commandant–but indeed it was but a name for he was decidedly of the opinion that we ought not to attack the enemy with the small force we had until daylight.
In this opinion he was supported by the informed characters in the detachment but without avail, for some of those were for attacking, had advanced—The major gave orders to prepare for action (this was about eight o'clock at night) and at the moment when every disposition was making for the attack, General Hampton arrived and decided against attacking them until the infantry could be brought up.
This he was not able to effect although every exertion way made until 4 o'clock in the morning. Clouds had dispersed, the moon shine was clear, and it was excessively cold; the arms of the United States troops glittered in the moonbeams and must have been the cause of the brigands discovering us; for soon after the foot filed off to take them in the rear, they rang an alarm bell and with a degree of extraordinary silence for such rabble, commenced and affected their retreat up the river.
When we took possession of the ground where the brigands had been committing their ravages all night, our troops and horses were so exhausted that we were unable to pursue the fugitives; however, by the activity of the militia and the promptness of Major Milton the regular force under his command that day and the next, the whole of the banditti were routed, killed, wounded, and dispersed, and everything is tranquil.
In this melancholy affair but two citizens have fell by the hands of the brigands, and three dwelling houses burned; not a single sugar house or sugar works were moblested. The poor wretches who were concerned in the depredations have paid for their crime–upwards of one hundred, it is generally supposed, have been killed and hung; and more will be executed. This loss alone is expensive to the planters and the most [?] slaves were concerned or joined the poor deluded miscreants who first commenced the ravages.
This awful lesson should strike deep to the hearts of slave holders and those whose duty it is to keep our country in a state of defense; the time may not be distant when we shall be called to the [?] against a more formidable foe that the banditti lately quelled. The doctrine of passive obedience and non-resistance must and will be abandoned. Pleasant as sleep of peace with disgrace may be the sordid mind, it cannot be any longer. Let our rulers awaken from the lethargy and say by acts, not by deeds, that they are worthy of their station. Let them hand the national sword to those who know how to appreciate it.
Summary of Trial Proceedings of Those Accused of Participating in the Slave Uprising of January 9, 1811:
The slave uprising which occurred on the German Coast in January…In the light of information recently discovered in the originally acts of St. Charles Parish. Among the documents pertaining to the uprising is the judge's summation of the trial proceedings. The Editor's translation of that document follows:
Today, the 13th of January in the year of Our Lord, 1811, and the 35th year of American Independence, at the request of Mr. Alexandre Labranche, justice of the peace, I, Pierre Bauchet St. Martin, judge of St. Charles Parish, Country of the Germans, recognizing the present danger which threatens the parish as well as the Territory, removed myself to the plantation of Mr. Jean-Noel Destrehan, arriving at four o'clock in the afternoon, where I found the owner, as well as Mr. Alexandre Labranche, justice of the peace, and Major Mason [sic] Milton, commanding a detachment of troops of the line, who informed me that there were on Mr. Destrehan's place a certain number of rebel slaves, prison awaiting trial under the law and with the shortest possible in which it is necessary to suppress a revolt which could take on a ferocious character if the chiefs and principal accomplices age not promptly destroyed.
In order to satisfy the common wish of the citizens of the Country, and to contribute as much as we can to the public welfare, I, the Judge, have constituted a tribunal composed of five property owners and myself, conforming to the first section of the act stating which punishments shall be imposed for CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS committed by slaves. The said Tribunal must proceed at one to examine, interrogate, and pass sentence upon the rebels detained on Mr. Destrehan's plantation.
The members composing the Tribunal are Messrs, Jean-Noel Desehan [p. 18], Alexandre Labrache, Cabaret [Pierre-Mari Cabaret de Trepy], Adelard Fortier and Edemond Fortier all of whom have taken the oath prescribed in section four of the same act.
The Tribunal called before it today, the 13th, the Negroes: Cupidon, belonging to the Labranche brothers; Dagobert, belonging to Mr. Delhomme; and Harry, a mulatto, belonging to Messrs. Kenner and Henderson, who were successively interrogated.
The Tribunal assembled on the 14th and called before it the Negroes: Jean and Thomas, belonging to Mr. Arnauld; Hepolite, belonging to Mr. Erienne Tepagnier; Koock, belonging to Mr. James Brown; Eugene and Charles, belonging to the Labrache brothers; Quamana and Robaine, belonging to Mr. James Brown; Etienne, belonging to Mr. Strax (sic); and Amar, belonging to Mr. Delhomme; all of whom confessed and declared that they took a major part in the insurrection which burst upon the scene on the 9th of this month These rebels testified against one another, assassination, arson, pillaging, etc., etc., etc.
Upon which the Tribunal, action in accordance with the authority conferred upon it by the law, and action upon a desire to satisfy the wished of the individual named above. This judgement is sustained today, the 15th of January, and shall be executed as soon as possible by a detachment of militia which shall take the condemned to the plantation of tribunal decrees that the sentence of death shall be carried out without any preceding torture. It further decrees that the heads of the executed shall be cut off and placed atop a pole on the spot where all can see the punishment meted out for such crimes, also as a terrible example to all who would disturb the public tranquility in the future.
During the session of January 14th, the Tribunal called before it the Negroes named Mingo, Simon, Perry and Iphraim, belonging to James Brown; Jacques, belonging to Mr. Delhomme; Bausson, belonging to Messrss. Kenner and Henderson; Gros Lindor belonging and Petit Lindor, belonging to Mrs. Destrehan. These nine slaves, duly interrogated, were returned for the charges against them seem vague and of little certainty.
The Tribunal also called before it, during the same session, the Negroes Robert, Etienne and Sarra, belonging to Mr. Delhomme, who were interrogated at length, adjudged innocent, and released.
Done at the Country of the Germans, St. Charles Parish, Mr. Destrehan's plantation, January 15, 1811, at 10 o'clock in the morning.
