Francis E. Dumas

Francis Ernest Dumas was a wealthy resident of Louisiana, plantation owner, slaveholder, and Major in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was of African American and Creole peoples heritage. He spoke five languages and had lived in France. Dumas was Captain of Company B of the 1st Regiment and received a promotion to major in the 2nd Louisiana Native Guards, one the highest ranks achieved by an African American during the war. He enlisted many of his slaves for service in the Union Army. He was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1868 on the James G. Taliaferro ticket backed by publisher Louis Charles Roudanez.

He turned down a nomination to be Louisiana's Republican Party nominee for Lieutenant Governor after losing the nomination for governor to Henry C. Warmoth by a few votes on the second ballot after leading the first. Dumas was chosen as minister to Liberia in 1869 but turned it down.

Dumas inherited a sugar plantation upon his return from France. There was no legal way for him to manumit (free) his slaves in Louisiana. Dumas was an octoroon (1/8 Black heritage).