The movement of black refugees into the cities both during the war and after increased racial tensions and produced new waves of violence. In Memphis clashes between mustered-out black soldiers and the largely Irish police led to a confrontation on May 1, 1866, in which two policeman were shot. The police, supplemented by largely Irish mobs, descended on South Memphis, first singling out black men in uniform—current or discharged soldiers—and then killing blacks indiscriminately. In ensuing days the rioting spread back into Memphis proper.
