http://www.ck12.org Chapter 5. A Nation Divided: The American Civil War and Reconstruction
5.2 The New York City Draft Riots
The Union imposed a military draft, in which men between the ages of 18 and 35 were required to join the army.
The penalty for disobeying the law was a $300 fine. Many wealthy people were willing to pay that fine rather than
risk their lives in the army, so they essentially bought their way out of the draft. Poorer people had no such option,
and considered the policy unfair. In 1863, Irishmen in New York City rioted in protest. As you read the following
documents, think about how each one portrays the protesters. What parties do they describe most sympathetically?
What parties doyoufind most sympathetic?
The Reign of the Rabble –New York Times
Source: Excerpts from “The Reign of theRabble," New York Times, Wednesday, July 15, 1863.
The colored boarding house on Vandewater Street, was attacked by the rioters about 6 1/2 o’clock P.M., the doors
broken open and the windows entirely demolished; nine of the inmates were injured.
About the same time THOMAS JOHNSON, a colored man, had one of his arms broken by jumping from the third
story window of a house No. 62 Roosevelt-street, while the house was on fire. He was rescued from the rioters by
the police and was taken to thestation-house.
MARYWILLIAMS, a colored woman, 24 years old, while being pursued by the infuriated mob, jumped from a
window of No. 74 Roosevelt-street to the pavement, and was terribly injured – the building was then on fire. She
was taken to Bellevue Hospital.
Question:
- According to this document, what did rioters do during the Draft Riots of 1863?
Facts and Incidents of the Riot –New York Times
Source: Excerpt from “Facts and Incidents of the Riot," New York Times, July 16, 1863.
Looting seems to have been the sole object with the rioters in their attack upon the store. The fine ready-made
clothing was tempting. Fortunately, the Police and the employees of the establishment successfully stopped the
invaders before much property had been stolen. Three or four persons, whose names could not be confirmed, lost
their lives at this place, and many others were badly injured.
At a late hour on Tuesday night the mob, number 4,000 or 5,000, made an attack upon the clothing-store of
BROOKS BROTHERS. Sergeant FINNEY was knocked down, beaten on the head and body with clubs, and
afterward shot in the hand by a pistol by one of the rioters. He is very severely injured, and no hopes are entertained
of his recovery....