THE NEW YORK RIOTS.

Press, Volume III, Issue 285, 29 September 1863, Page 2

THE NEW YORK RIOTS.

The Times says " tho New York papers give fearful descriptions of the scenes of riot which followed the attempt to enforce the conscription," and then gives the account from the New York Journal of Commerce of July 14th, of which the following is an extract -. —

"Yesterday witnessed the most serious not which has ever been known in our city, »pd it raged all day unsuppressed. In fact the upper portion of New York was seized by the mob, and held throughout the day, and no exertions sufficed to give the least check to their proceedings. It is with tho deepest pain that we record the facts elsewhere—facts which will be memorable in the history of our city, hitherto celebrated for its lawabiding character. The origin of the riot was in tho Ninth Congressional District, where the draughting commenced on Saturday last. A great crowd gathered yesterday morning around the 3d-avenue, where the draughting" was in progress. On Saturday the drawing of names had »°P bcon interrupted. Sunday intervened, and no one anticipated any trouble, nor is there any reason to believe that the occurrences of yesterday were premeditated or organized. Ou the contrary, there was probably no idea of it in the mind of any one concerned up to the momsjit of the outbreak. Then a pent-up fire seemed to break out suddenly, and the absence of the military forces relied «_ ip check such demonstrations prevented an immediate suppression, so that it gained power anil assumed enormous proportions. Tho office on which the attack was made is in the 3d-avenue, and the riot was at first confined to that immediate locality. The officers escaped, it _ hoped, without

serious injury, but the furious crowd vented their 1 rage on the building, set fire to it, and then forbade I any interference of the fire companies, so that it t was destroyed. The fire was not confined to this 1 house. Like the mob, once kindled it was un- s restrained and destroyed what it touched, no one r staying its course. From the locality in which it f commenced the riot spread into various parts of c the city. Men everywhere were excitable, and r the whole community seemed to be iv a state t of nervous anxiety, while portions of it were ready I to add to the fury of the mob. Nothing was c talked of but the draught, and the burden of con- i versation on tliat subject was the old story, which i had been again and again talked over, but which r now had fresh interest. The rapidity with which c the riot spread is unexampled in history. In a i few hours the whole of the upper part of the city c was in possession of the mob, and a scene com- 1 menced whose horror is beyond description. I Without leadership, without any common design, < they selected objects for their attack, and went i from one to another with tremendous rapidity. 1 The details of much that was done will be found ] elsewhere. Much remains unreported, since, for 1 for various reasons, it was impossible to collect the f facts. The lower part of the city remained quiet 1 until the evening, with the exception of excited j crowds in the neighbourhood of the park. About ] half-past 7 a sudden attack was made on the i office of the Tribune. For a few minutes the mob 1 had possession of the building, and a considerable t amount of damage was done, when a body of r police charged on them, cleared the building, and . formed a strong guard around it. Night thcu i came down on the city in a condition not to bo *. described. From the roof of the Journal of *. Commerce building the view presented in the misty . atmosphere was such as we hope never to see again. In our own neighbourhood all was quiet, i and profound stillness reigned where the city is by < day most crowded and noisy. But in the distance i new conflagrations and the remains of those i kindled during the day lit the drifting clouds i with a red glow, and the shouts of the mob came i down to us from far off scenes of riot. The fire 1 bells have scarcely ceased their loud call from i hour to hour, and the night has been full of alarms and apprehensions. At the moment of '. writing, three o'clock, a large fire has suddenly 1 I appeared in the western part of the city, lighting i the clouds, but we are unable to say whether it : proceeds from the work of the rioters or other causes." Tho rioting of the second day (14th) is thus described.-— " The riot broke out yesterday morning, about 10 o'clock, in the 7th and 13th wards. A large body of men who had qonveued at different points in the above-mentioned wards, marched down Pitt-street for the purpose of visitiug the shipyards and compelling the workmen to join. Word had been received at the central police-office of this movement; and a detachment of 150 regulars, under command of Lieut. Wood, marched to the scene of action. As they passed along Pitt-street they encountered the mob, 2,000 strong, who were yelling like demons. Lieut. Wood drew his men into line, and ordered ' Shoulder arms.' One of the ringleaders approached Lieut. Wood and desired to spoak with him. Tho officer told him to'stand aside, when a volley of stones was hurled at the troops. They stood their ground ; and then the lieutenant directed his men to lire over the heads of the crowd. The rioters then discharged pistols at the soldiers, when the lieutenant gave the word to fire point blank, and a volley was fired, killing 12 men and two children, and wounding 17 men. The soldiers then loaded for another volley, but the mob did not -wait for it. The first fire scattered them like sheep. They ran frightened, at the top of their speed into the side streets, the soldiers pursuing them, but without further firing. No soldier was injured. Lieut. Wood slipped acoidently and sprained his ankle severely. In less than five minutes after the firing there was not a citizen to be seen for a space of several blocks around the scene of slaughter. About 10 o'clock a formidable riot broke out in 2nd. avenue, near 34th street. Tho mob commenced firing buildings aud assailing persons in the streets. Information of the outbreak being sent to the central office, a powerful force of policemen and a detaclmient of artillery were ordered to the spot. The rioters were found to be 5,000 strong. The policemen attacked them at once with clubs, aud used their pistols where it was necessary. The crowd broke before their deterniined onslaught, but rallied again. The battery of two six-pounders, under command of Colonel O'Brien, then opened on the rioters with blank cartridges, and at the first discharge the crowd were dispersed and had not reassembled at the latest accounts. A large number of the rioters were wounded, and several believed to have been killed. Report was brought to the central office , at 11 o'clock that Mayor Opdyke's house, in the sth-avcnue, had been sacked and burnt. Sub- ' sequent information states that, this report is i unfounded. At 10 o'clock, the house occupied by Colonel O'Brien (who had volunteered his services to assist in suppressing the mob), in 2ndAvenue, was assaulted by the mob and most of ; the furniture destroyed and a large number of valuable articles stolen. The houso would have j beeu burnt down, but the fact became known i that it was owned by another person, and it was ? therefore spared. Despatches were received at the central office from different portions of the city, particularly the lGth and 18th wards, stating • that riots were going on there. Forces of policemen and military were promptly sent to quell them. Commissioner Acton took general charge i of the police arrangements, and manifested great . energy and decision, General Harvey Brown su- ', periutended the military. At half-past 12 o'clock yesterday several hundred citizens had been sworn , in as special policon.eii, and placed on duty. The volunteers were generally business men and property holders. Governor Seymour arrived iv the • city this morning, and stopped at the St. Nicholas Hotel. About half-past 12 o'clock the Governor proceeded in a carriage to the City-hall for the purpose of consulting with the city authorities s and taking measure to restore peace. As soon as the Governor's presence in the City-hall was known, a large crowd of people assembled in front of the hall and called for the Governor. He responded to the request, and made his appearance on the front steps. He was loudly cheered. After ! order had been restored the Governor made n very few remarks. He said, in substance, that he had been called here by existing trouble, and t begged the people to understand that in destroyr ing life and property they only injured themselves. He was their friend. They had the power to maintain order. It was their interest to do it, and : it was also their duty. It was not a question of : conscription. The conscription was not in pro- • gregs. He had sent Adjutant-General Sprague to I Washington to ask that the draught might be i stopped until the Courts could decide upon its i legality. [Here there was an outburst of enthu- > siasm lasting several minutes.] To the decision of > the Courts they owed obedience and respect. If ■ the Courts decided the law legal, he would use i every exertion to see that there should be no i inequality in the matter of exemptiou between ; rich and poor. [Great cheering] If they would s leave the master in his hands, all would be well . The Governor closed by appealing for good order, i The Governor then withdrew, amid loud cheering. ■ The crowd at the City-hall was orderly and api pcared to comprise few rioters. The riot in the • 16th precinct proved to bo a very serious affair. • The school-house at the corner of l*7th street and > 3d avenue had been set on fire. A mpb was also" destroying the soap and candle factory of Jones and Co. Cbptain Petty with 100 men dispersed > the rioters without a fight. At the 7th Regiment Armory, 400 men under Lieutenant Kemp kept i "iiard with two hpwitzers loaded with grape and i canister. Colonel Henry E. Paris was organizing a force at that place, and expected to raise a force i of 6,000 citizens, mostly ex-members of the militia. At the Sth Regiment Armory 100 mea with one

howitzer were on guard. Colonel Jardiiie and his Hawkins' Zouaves have tho 6th Regiment Armory in their keeping. A large number of the Zouaves hare oiTered their services. The attack on Mayor's Opdyke's house resulted only in the breaking of the lanterns in front of the premises. A body of about ,150 citizens, aided by a few policemen,' drove tbe rioters away. Subsequently 200 soldiers from Stilton Island were placed on guard at the Mayor's house. By request of the Mayor, v force of 50 policemen were sent to his o;Tic and remained there during Tuesday. The effect of the riot on business was very injurious. Large numbers of stores and saloons on Broadway were closed. The proprietors of jewelry establishments put up their shutters early in the morning. None of the city cars were running, and but few of the lines of stages. A meeting was called at the Merchants' Exchange at 2 p.m., to take steps for organising merchants, bankers, clerks, and others, into companies to aid the local authorities. Mr. F. S. Winston presided, and speeches were made. It was then resolved to form companies, and business men were requested to furnish every facility to their employers for this purpose. A large number of volunteers presented themselves. At a later meeting in Wall-street several companies were organised. The soldiers and policemen on duty had a hard time of it on Monday, being without food during the whole day; but they were well fed on Tuesday. The St. Nicholas and other up-town hotels spread tables for them. < A great quantity of hams, smoked beef, crackers, and bread, has also been stored at the police headquarters for tho sustenance of tho men. At 1 p.m. ou Tuesday a large force of marines, and the James T. Brady Light Infantry (11th Regiment of Volunteers) reported to General Wool, and were at once sent to posts of importance. A battalion of 500 men from Riker's Island also arrived in the afternoon, and were assigned to duty. A large crowd collected in Anthony-street, opposite Claflin and Mellan's dry goods' store, with the evident intention of attacking the Government 6tores there. Only a few men were on guard, but they succeeded iv frightening off the rioters until a detachment of regular artillery, consisting of two howitzers, arrived. The howitzers were loaded to the muzzle, and posted so as to rake Anthonystreet both ways. This little precaution kept the mob at a respectful distance for the rest of the day. One of the buildings burnt down yesterday morning was the residence of the city postmaster, on 86th street, between 4tli and sth avenues. The occupants had left, fearing an attack. The house was stripped of all its valuable contents, and a fire was started on the parlor floor. In a few minutes the whole building was iv flames. No firemen were present to assist in putting out the conflagration. The fire soon communicated to the 23rd precinct station-house opposite. The doorman, in charge of the premises, Mr. Charles Ebling, succeeded in saving the telegraph-box and clock, and made good his escape. The building with all its contents was soon in ashes. Colonel Nugent's residence, on 86th street, between 3rd and Ith avenues, was also burnt. Soon after these occurrence?, a large body of rioters marched to Columbia College, with the intention of sacking aud burning the building. A Catholic priest stopped them as they were about to perform their work, and earnestly implored them to refrain, as they would surely destroy "a church which was attached to the edifice. The crowd, at this suggestion, moved away. A range of stables, in Spring-street, between Broadway and Broome, was destroyed by fire at the bauds of tho mob during the forenoon. The planing, turning, and sawmill of Mr. Hanson, at Harlem, was fired at 4 a.m. Two restaurants, a cigar store, a feed store, a coal-oflice, and a butcher's shop adjoining, were also biu-nt. The Hudson Biver Railroad track, at 50th street, was torn up for some distance on Tuesday, in order to prevent the bringing in of out-of-town militia regiments. Between 2 and 3 o'clock in the afternoon the rioters in the 22nd ward sacked the store of Mr. Molter, corner of 86th street and 3rd avenue, and fired it. The waggon shop of Robert Lennox was also destroyed. Harlem was next visited, and Washing-ton-hall, and two buildings on 3rd revenue, near 120 th street, burnt to the ground. A porter house on sth avenue, near 91st street, was also burnt, the mob having been refused free drinks by the proprietor. It was reported that the bridge over M'Comb's-dam had been destroyed. The telegraph wires which had been working in 1 st and 2nd avenues during the forenoon were cut shortly after mid-day. At 3 p.m. a telegram was received from Colonel James B. Fry, Provost MarshalGeneral, by Colonel Nugent, directing him to suspend the draught in the city. It was reported - at the central office that Colonel O'Brien, of the 11th New York Volunteers, had been beaten to death on 2nd avenue. The crowd who tore up i the Hudson River track sacked a grocery store on 11th avenue, between 41st and 42nd streets. No policemen were in the neighborhood and but few soldiers, who could do nothing to stop the rioters.

The mob in the 18th ward yesterday afternoon attacked the gun factory of Marston and Co., corner of 22ncl street and 2nd avenue, occupied the building, and seized the arms. A large detachment of police under Inspector Dilkc soon arrived on the ground, and took possession of the entrance and stairway. The rioters had not time to load the guns. They assailed the policemen as the latter come up the stairs, and a sharp contest ensued, resulting in the complete discomfiture of the rioters. Many of them were seriously injured by clubs.and all were driven out of the building. The police recovered all the guns. The muskets rescued from the arsenal in 21st street and 2nd avenue on Monday were stored, for safe keeping, in tho Union Steam Works, at the corner of 22nd street and 2nd avenue. The rioters received information of this fact, and yesterday afternoon assaulted and took possession* of the works. A' forco of 300 policemen arrived soon after, when the rioters attempted to escape, without using the muskets. Most of them got away, but about 30 were dreadfully clubbed about the head, and some probably killed. Three musket shots were fired at the police as they advanced up the street. The police then held their ground for some time, but the mob gathered new strength, and made a desperate assault on the works. After a fierce contest the police were dislodged and the rioters hi full possession. A fresh force of police under Captain Hclme, and a detachment of regulars, under Captain Franklin, soon afterwards arrived, with instructions to take the place at all hazards. The police made the first attack, and with such energy that the rioters in turu were soon routed, severely whipped. The polico were very courageous. After the rioters had withdrawn they rallied again, and assaulted the regulars with stones, hooting at them at the same time. Captain Franklin thereupon gave the order to fire, and 15 were killed and wounded. The crowd dispersed as if by magic, and the regulars remained masters of the field.. There was some fighting in the 6th avenue between the mob and the 20th pr_.ob.ct police, aided by a detachment of regulars under Captain Pamam. Tho rioters were everywhere worsted, although no shots were fired by the soldiers. The regulars could scatter the mob by charging bayonets, the rioters not waiting to receive the cold steel. It was reported at the police headquarters late yesterday afternoon that Colonel O'Brien, after being severely beaten by the crowd in 2nd avenue, had heon hung t;p a lamppost. In 11th avenue, between 40th and 47th street, fighting occurred, the police were everywhere repelled, and the mob had everything their own way. Tho Western Hotel, the Western Drove Yards, and several other buildings in tliat vicinity were burnt down. Tbe women assisted the male rioters in these acts of destructior. The police have seized all the stages on Broadway and the Bowery, and are using them for the transportation of men to tlrreatcned points. All the enralling officers in Captain Mannierrc's (ProvostMarshal) office have been s\>orn in as policemen.

At 5 o'clock the mob attacked a budding in 29tli streot, supposed by them to belong to Horace Greeley. The police happened fortunately to be near at hand, and drove away the rioters after a brief engagement. Two policemen were slightly wounded by pistol shots from persons in the crowd. In the 19th Ward over 300 citizens have enrolled themselves as a Vigilant Committee, and in several instances have whipped small knots of rioters. A fire, which had been set in the colored

house at the foot of 57th street, East River, was r put out by this committee. They have offered t their services at the Central Office, and been [ accepted as special policcinen. In the 18th Ward c a large mob roved through the streets last evening, firing houses and robbing stores. In one case they 1 set fire to a store, but afterwards agreed to extin- t guish it on the payment of 100 dollars by the i owner. A detachment of soldiers from Fort i Hamilton and auother from Fort Schuyler re- s ported at the Central Office last night, and were i immediately sent out to points where the' mob i were at work. It was reported that the 7th t regiment, N. G., had been ordered back from 2 Pennsylvania, and would be in the city to-day. £ A number of regiments from the interior of thee State were expected to arrive during the night. 1 The whole number of Dei-sons killed or wounded * in the 2nd Avenue fight during the afternoen is a thus far ascertained to be -11. It is thought, however, that there are others who were taken away by their friends. The number above given is that ? of persons who were in the hospitals and station- * houses last night. During the night reports l poured in at the Central Office of riotous pro- I ceedings in different parts of the city. Police and •- military were despatched in the directions mdi- I cated with great promptness, and short work made 1 of rioters in every direction. Several hundred 8 citizens who were sworn in yesterday as special l policemen rendered valuable service. The whole 8 number of soldiers who will be in town to-day j will be not far from 5000, and it is hoped that « with them the rioters may be effectively squelched within the next twenty-four hours. J Last evening, about nine o'clock, as a party of soldiers were marching up Broadway, they were . followed b_ a crowd, groaning and yelling at them. The soldiers bore the insults patiently, but when opposite the City Hall a squad of police then stationed in the park, hearing the noise, rushed after the crowd and pitched into them, using their clubs freely. A number of the rioters ' were considerably damaged. Late intelligence from the mob in 11th Avenue reports tliat they had burned the ferry-house at the foot of 42nd street, and several other houses in that neighborhood.