Who were scalawags and what did they try to accomplish

Scalawags were the Southern white who supported the Reconstruction after the Civil War in America. They tried to gain wealth and power after the Civil War in America with the help of the North in the South. Scalawags before the war were not wealthy and not among the planter elite. Some were non-slave owners and struggled with poverty. They supported the reconstruction plan in the South and assisted the blacks in giving them some rights.  

which time period is this? or is this story fictional, i'm going to need more info to answer this question