The Confederados Format: Paperback

The story of exiles from the Confederate South who fled to Brazil after the US Civil War. The collection includes a previously unpublished narrative by an original settler

In the wake of the American Civil War, thousands of disillusioned Southerners sought refuge far from Reconstruction’s reach―many found it in Brazil. The Confederados is a compelling exploration of this little-known migration, tracing the journey of Confederate exiles who forged new lives in the sugarcane fields of São Paulo. Through vivid personal narratives, scholarly essays, and rare archival insights, this volume uncovers the cultural, agricultural, and religious legacy these settlers left behind.

From the harrowing voyage of Sarah Bellona Smith Ferguson to the enduring traditions of the Campo chapel, the book reveals how these Americans shaped―and were shaped by―their Brazilian surroundings. It examines their impact on education, Protestantism, and farming, and how their descendants maintain a distinct identity more than a century later.

Richly illustrated and deeply researched, The Confederados is essential reading for anyone interested in Southern history, diaspora studies, or the global echoes of the Civil War. This is not just a story of exile―it’s a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the enduring ties between two nations.

Cyrus B. Dawsey is Professor of Geography and Director of the Institute for Latin American Studies at Auburn University. 

James M. Dawsey is Dean of the Faculty at Emory and Henry College. 

Michael L. Conniff is Professor and Director of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of South Florida.