"Death By Lightning," the GAR, and Black Civil War Veterans
No doubt, many of you have had a chance to watch Netflix’s mini-series Death by Lightning, a dramatization of the life and assassination of President James A. Garfield. Overall, I greatly enjoyed the series, especially the performances of Michael Shannon as Garfield, Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau, and Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur.
One of my favorite scenes early on in the first episode features a group of African American members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) attending a rally at the Republican National Convention in Chicago in 1880. Some Viewers may have been surprised by their inclusion in such numbers and may have even questioned whether the scene is historically accurate.
While dramatized for narrative clarity, the scene rests on a solid historical foundation. I was impressed with the dress of these men as well as their GAR ribbons, which appear to be historically accurate, but what I especially appreciate is that, as a group, their age is accurately reflected. Most of these men were still young having served in the war in their late teens and early twenties. By 1880, these men would have been in their late 30s and early 40s—still relatively young and hopeful for the future.
There are relatively few references to the Civil War apart from flashbacks of Garfield’s battlefield experience and references to Abraham Lincoln.
This specific scene offers a rare opportunity to reflect on the postwar experiences of Black Civil War veterans.
The Grand Army of the Republic, founded in 1866, was the largest Union veterans’ organization of the postwar era and constituted a powerful political network—one of the few major fraternal organizations of its time that did not formally bar Black members from joining. Thousands of African American veterans of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) joined. Their participation was especially strong in states such as Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic where Black communities were politically active and GAR posts were more welcoming.
All-Black GAR posts were also common even in former Confederate states. Ten all-Black posts existed in Illinois, including two in the city of Chicago.
For those posts that were integrated, inclusivity remained inconsistent across the organization. GAR posts were locally organized and often reflected the racial attitudes of their respective communities. As a result, in some integrated posts Black and white veterans participated together in parades, ceremonies, and political events, while others were de facto segregated, either through exclusionary practices or because Black veterans formed their own posts.
One of the more important points that this particular scene emphasizes is that despite social barriers, Black veterans were deeply engaged in politics after the Civil War. Their military service had affirmed their claims to citizenship and their participation in organized political life—particularly within the Republican Party—was a vital component of Reconstruction and remained so in the decades that followed.
Black GAR members, like other African American civic leaders, frequently spoke at public meetings, endorsed political candidates at the state and federal levels, and publicly defended and pushed for civil rights.
Several factors made the GAR an especially attractive political platform for African Americans. Veteran status carried symbolic weight, who were often acknowledged as protectors of the nation and who had earned the right to shape its future. The GAR was heavily aligned with Republican policies, especially pensions for veterans—an issue that concerned Black veterans as much as white. Finally, although the GAR’s national leadership varied in its enthusiasm, many local posts supported Black suffrage, education, and protection from racial violence.
Well-documented examples exist of African American GAR leaders addressing public crowds, organizing Memorial Day observances, and serving as influential figures in Republican conventions or rallies. In this respect, the presence of African American GAR members at a political event—as depicted in the specific scene—is historically plausible.
Where Death by Lightning departs from historical nuance is in the uniformity and visibility of Black GAR participation in a single political gathering. The show compresses a complex and uneven social history into a clear visual narrative. That is certainly understandable for a show like this. Integrated political rallies did occur, but they were not universal and often depended on the local racial climate.
More importantly, the dramatic framing emphasizes Garfield’s commitment to civil rights by visually foregrounding Black veterans—a decision that reflects his political positions but simplifies the historical landscape for modern audiences.
Thus the scene is arguably best described as selectively accurate. It’s true to the broader historical context, even if the scene combines or highlights details that would have varied widely across different regions and years.
The portrayal of African American members of the GAR participating in a political rally in Death by Lightning aligns with the historical record. Black Union veterans did belong to the GAR, did attend political events, and did publicly assert their citizenship through both their service and their activism.
The result is a representation that captures the spirit of Black political action throughout the postwar period and serves as a reminder of the war’s revolutionary impact on racial politics.
Suggestions for Further Reading:
Barbara Gannon, The Won Cause: Black and White Comradeship in the Grand Army of the Republic.
Jonanthan D. Neu, Our Onward March: The Grand Army of the Republic in the Progressive Era.
Donald R. Shaffer, After the Glory: The Struggles of Black Civil War Veterans.
If you’ve had a chance to watch it or plan on watching it over the coming holiday week, I hope you will share your thoughts about the scene and the series in the comments below.
Loved the show. Motivated to learn more about Garfield. Wondering how he could have shaped a stronger, more moral and ethical government had he survived.
Thank you