Federal Army and Abe Lincoln powerless as New York riots and burns
As a southern newspaper that cherishes and values the right of free speech, we are able to report some 120 dead, 2,000 injured and millions of dollars in property damage, as New Yorkers riot in a backlash to compulsory draft service for the Union Army.
On the 12th July tensions were already high with working class men resenting that wealthier men, who could afford to pay $300 - would be spared from the draft. Also that black men were excluded from the draft as they were largely not considered to be citizens.
Despite the seething crowd, the draft lottery continued as planned at the enrolment office on 3rd Avenue and 47th Street. After a few dozen more names had been drawn, a gunshot rang out; as if on cue, rioters threw stones and then invaded the building to try to seize the draft documents. During the next 3 days gangs of white men attack shops, destroyed numerous public buildings and two Protestant churches.
 |
| On the Spot Etchings by Walter De Sney |
During the riots, landlords fearing that the mob would destroy their buildings, drove black residents from their homes. Middle-class respectably people were ordered to stay at home. To prevent other parts of the Union being notified of the riots, the federal government under Abe Lincoln ordered that telegraph lines be cut!
Whilst Federal officials would not comment, on hearing the news about the riots in New York, General Green said: “Conscription is clearly unpopular, unwieldy, and unfair. Let’s hope that their conscription is going to raise more discontent than yankee soldiers.”
