"It was the largest civil insurrection in American History other than the South’s rebellion."
~Eric Foner, professor of History at Columbia University
~Eric Foner, professor of History at Columbia University
July 14
Luckily on Monday night, heavy rain fell, quenching many of the fires and driving the rioters off the streets. However, the crowd returned on Tuesday. Workers joined the crowd, halting business entirely. The homes of famous Republicans were attacked, because they were seen as supporting the war that the crowd despised so much now. The Governor, Horatio Seymour, arrived in the city and spoke at City Hall, attempting to calm the crowd by declaring the Conscription Act unconstitutional.
General John E. Wool brought in about 800 troops to the city from various forts in New York Harbor and from West Point. In addition, he ordered the militias that had journeyed to Pennsylvania to return to New York to help assuage the rioters.
General John E. Wool brought in about 800 troops to the city from various forts in New York Harbor and from West Point. In addition, he ordered the militias that had journeyed to Pennsylvania to return to New York to help assuage the rioters.
"Remember this—that the bloody and treasonable doctrine of public necessity can be proclaimed by a mob as well as by a government." New York Governor Horatio Seymour; Seymour is asking President Lincoln to end the drafting in New York
"I can not consent to suspend the draft in New York as you request, because, among other reasons, time is too important…"
~President Abraham Lincoln, August 7, 1863; Lincoln's response to the plea of Governor Seymour to end the drafting in New York
~President Abraham Lincoln, August 7, 1863; Lincoln's response to the plea of Governor Seymour to end the drafting in New York