Marshall Harvey Twitchell | |
|---|---|
.png) From 1894's Men of Vermont Illustrated | |
| United States Consul to Kingston, Ontario, Canada | |
| In office 1878–1905 | |
| Preceded by | James M. True |
| Succeeded by | Howard D. Van Sant |
| Member of the Louisiana State Senate from Bienville, Red River and De Soto Parishes | |
| In office 1870–1877 | |
| Preceded by | John R. Williams |
| Succeeded by | James W. Sandiford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 29, 1840 Townshend, Vermont, USA |
| Died | August 21, 1905 (aged 65) Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
| Resting place | Oakwood Cemetery, Townshend, Vermont |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Adele Coleman Twitchell (m. 1866-1873, her death) Henrietta Day Twitchell (m. 1876-1902, her death) |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Government official |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America
|
| Branch/service |  United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1861-1866 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | 4th Vermont Infantry 109th Colored Infantry Freedmen's Bureau |
| Commands | Company H, 109th Colored Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Marshall Harvey Twitchell (February 29, 1840 – August 21, 1905) was a teacher, officer in the Union Army, and businessman. Originally from Vermont, he became a prominent political figure in Louisiana's post-war Reconstruction, including two terms as a Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate. He was seriously wounded during the Civil War and was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt by white supremacists after the war. He returned north, served as a diplomat in Canada, and wrote a memoir.
A native of Townsend, Vermont, Twitchell taught school before joining the Union Army for the American Civil War. After service with the 4th Vermont Infantry, he joined 109th Colored Infantry and commanded a company as a captain. His command was part of the column that broke the Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia, and he was present at Appomattox for Lee's surrender.
After service in Louisiana with the Freedmen's Bureau, Twitchell became active in Louisiana's post-war Reconstruction. He became a plantation owner and expanded his holdings to include stores, mills, hotels, and newspapers. He was elected to the state senate in 1869, where he played a key role in creating Red River Parish, over which he exercised political control because of his alliance with African American voters, who voted for anti-slavery Republicans over pro-Confederate Democrats.
In 1876, an assassin armed with a rifle attempted to murder Twitchell as he traveled by boat to Coushatta, the Red River Parish seat. Twitchell was hit multiple times, and survived by pretending to be dead. Both his arms had to be amputated, and Twitchell wore artificial arms and hands for the rest of his life. The assassin targeted Twitchell as the result of efforts by Redeemer Democrats to end Louisiana's Reconstruction and prevent black voters from participating in the political process; Twitchell's death would have given Democrats control of the state senate. They already held the state's House of Representatives and governorship, so controlling the senate would have ended Republican political leadership of the state. After recovering from his wounds, Twitchell left Louisiana, which was taken over by Democrats. In 1878, he was appointed U.S. Consul in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, where he served until his death. Twitchell died in Kingston on August 21, 1905, and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend.