In 1867 , Congress suspended the right of each former Confederate state to organize its militia until it resumed normal functions as part of the United States .
The U.S. Army enforced martial law during Reconstruction and guarded polls during the presidential election of 1876 .
In 1867 , Congress suspended the right of each former Confederate state to organize its militia until it resumed normal functions as part of the United States , and the U.S. Army enforced martial law during Reconstruction and guarded polls during the presidential election of 1876 .