President Sends U.S. Troops To Break Up Railroad Strike

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was triggered by wage cuts amid the Panic of 1873, spreading from Baltimore, Maryland, and Martinsburg, West Virginia, across the nation to Pittsburgh, Chicago, St. Louis, and San Francisco.

This illustration depicts striking workers trying to set the roundhouse on fire in Pittsburgh on July 22, 1877.Photo byAHC/Great Railroad Strike of 1877

Railroad executives initially relied on local law enforcement to break the strike, but ineffective responses led to the deployment of state militias and ultimately federal troops by President Rutherford B. Hayes. The strike, marked by violent clashes and property damage, highlighted broader class divisions in post-Reconstruction America, contrasting with previous racial tensions.

Impact of the Panic of 1873

The Panic of 1873 triggered a national economic downturn, which is sometimes referred to as the “First Great Depression.” Railroad corporations were significantly affected by the Panic, which led them to cut employee wages.

The Supreme Court Upholds the Granger Laws

The Granger Laws regulated the shipping rates for railroad and grain storage companies after the Civil War. They were supported by the Grange, which lobbied the government on behalf of farmers.

In 1876, the United States Supreme Court heard Munn v. Illinois, which challenged the constitutionality of the Granger Laws. The Court upheld the power of the Federal Government to regulate the use of private property when it is deemed necessary for the public good.

Because of this, the Granger Laws were found to be Constitutional, and railroads were unable to raise rates to offset rising costs.

Railroads Cut Wages

The Pennsylvania Railroad responded by cutting the wages of workers by 10% — not once, but twice. The first time was in May, the second in June.

The Baltimore and Ohio (B & O) Railroad reduced wages in July and also cut the number of days an employee could work.

The Great Railroad Strike Begins in Maryland

On July 16, B & O Railroad workers in Camden Junction, Mayland went on strike, refusing to operate the trains. The news spread through Baltimore, and workers from other industries, including bakers, box makers, and factory workers, joined the strike.

Word of the strike spread quickly, and by the evening of the 16th, B & O workers in Martinsburg, West Virginia also went on strike. The strike spread to B & O stations, towns, and cities along the railroad line and workers had control of the railroad by midnight.

Workers Converge on Martinsburg

Thomas M. King, the Vice President of the B & O Railroad, responded to the strikers in Martinsburg by asking Governor Henry M. Mathews to send troops to help protect the company’s interests. Over the next few days, striking workers converged on Martinsburg. Local law enforcement and the West Virginia Militia failed to disperse them.

Striking workers block the trains in Martinsburg, West Virginia.Photo byWikimedia

Federal Troops Mobilize

On June 18, Governor Matthews sent a message to President Rutherford B. Hayes, asking him to send U.S. Army soldiers to Martinsburg.

Hayes was hesitant to send troops, so he issued a proclamation, ordering “…all persons engaged in said unlawful and insurrectionary proceedings to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes on or before twelve o’clock, noon, the nineteenth day of July…”

Hayes hoped the strikers would heed his request, but also said “…it may be necessary in the judgment of the President to use the military force…”

President Rutherford B. HayesPhoto byAHC/Rutherford B. Hayes

Afterward, Federal troops in Washington and at Fort McHenry were ordered to proceed to Martinsburg. Altogether, there were about 325 troops, under the command of General William H. French, a veteran of the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.

This marked the first time in United States history that a worker’s strike led to the mobilization of federal troops.

Massacre in Baltimore

The Maryland Militia attacked a crowd of protestors, with bayonets. They fired on the crowd, killing at least 10 people.

The crowd swelled to approximately 14,000 people, including strikers and supporters, who retaliated by destroying railroad cars and a locomotive.

The Governor of Maryland, John Lee Carroll, sent a telegraph to President Hayes, asking for help.

Massacre in Pittsburgh

After local militia forces in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania joined the mob of striking workers, Governor John Frederick Hartranft called in the National Guard from Philadelphia.

After they arrived, the soldiers fired into a crowd of protestors, killing more than 20 people — including women and three children.

The mob retaliated and forced the soldiers to take refuge in a roundhouse at the railyard and then set fire to buildings, railcars, and equipment.

Militia and Federal Troops eventually opened the railroads in Pittsburgh and Reading, Pennsylvania was occupied by Federal Troops.

Burning of Pennsylvania Railroad and Union Depot, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Photo byWikimedia

The Railroad Strike Spreads

Over the last two weeks of July, the strike spread to the West Coast. Striking workers disrupted trains in Chicago, East St. Louis, San Francisco, and other stations on the lines.

Racial and Political Tension in Illinois

In Braidwood, LaSalle, Springfield, and Carbondale, Illinois, coal miners joined the strike, as they had also suffered reduced pay. The operators of the mines responded by hiring African Americans to replace them, which created racial strife.

In Chicago, a Marxist organization called Workingmen’s Party rallied support for the strikers. Because of their political views, the involvement of the Workingmen’s Party heightened tensions between the strikers, railroad owners, and the government.

The Great Railroad Strike Ends

After nearly three weeks, and with no central figure or group to keep them organized, most of the protesters had gone home. By August 5, the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was over.

Consequences

The Great Railroad Strike led some to people believe that labor protests were dangerous and contrary to American values. Among the outspoken critics of the workers was the prominent pastor Henry Ward Beecher.

However, it created public awareness of the grievances of railroad workers against management. Railroad companies eventually started to reverse the wage cuts that led to the Great Strike.

Labor issues started to become important in the realm of politics. In states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, Workingmen’s Parties gained substantial votes during the 1877 elections.

Significance

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was a significant moment in United States history which is often passed over. Although the strike focused on workers who were upset with their employers, it was similar to Shays’ Rebellion (1787) and the Whiskey Rebellion (1794) in that the lower class reached a breaking point and revolted.

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