THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIER TAKES CHARGE As the year 1877 was beginning, the carpetbag governments in nine of the Southern States had been already overthrown.

In two other States were two sets of officers, one of which represented the great mass of the whites while the other was based upon negro suffrage and was supported by Federal bayonets.

Both sides seemed determined, and trouble was expected.

The Republican contestants in Florida had already yielded to a decision of the Supreme Court of the State, but in South Carolina and Louisiana the Republican claimants held on until the orders to withdraw the troops were given in April, 1877.

The withdrawal of the troops marked the definite end of Reconstruction.