Lynching in America

The Negro Seabees, members of Naval Construction Battalions, in training near Norfolk, Virginia. (Getty Images.)
During the lynching era, white mobs regularly lynched black people with total impunity,
facing no consequences for committing murder even when the victim was an active duty
American serviceman. Black soldiers stationed in unfamiliar and predominately white areas
were especially at risk of being presumed dangerous and guilty, accused of a social transgression
or crime, and lynched without an investigation or trial.
On August 19, 1898, Private James Neely of the 25th Infantry — an all-black regiment
that had just returned from heralded service in Cuba during the Spanish-American War —
visited the small town of Hampton, Georgia, on a day pass from his post at Fort Hobson.
Newspapers reported that Private Neely came into Hampton wearing his blue uniform and
bayonet at his side; yet when he entered the local drug store and ordered a soda at the
counter, the white owner told him black customers had to order and drink outside in the
rear. Private Neely protested, the two men argued, and Private Neely was thrown out of
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