New York City draft riots

The New York Draft Riots (July 13 – 16, 1863), known at the time as Draft Week, were violent disturbances in New York City during a time that anger with President Abraham Lincoln and his laws was highest. The potests were at first caused by anger at the draft but later became violent, and the historian Eric Foner worte that "a virtual racial pogrom, with uncounted numbers of blacks murdered on the streets."

New York Draft Riots
Part of American Civil War
Rioters and Federal troops clash
Date July 13–16, 1863 Location New York City Result Riot crushed
Casualties and losses
120, although counts vary by sources.

Major General John E. Wool said on July 16, "Martial law ought (should) to be proclaimed, but I have not a sufficient (enough) force to enforce it." The military stopped the mobs by using weapons. However, they had already destroyed many buildings, including homes and an orphanage for black children.

New York City Draft Riots Media

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  A recruiting poster in New York City in June 1863 for the Enrollment Act, also known as the Civil War Military Draft Act, which authorized the federal government to conscript troops for the Union army

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  John Alexander Kennedy, NYC police superintendent from 1860 to 1870

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  Bull's Head Hotel, depicted in 1830, was burned after it refused to serve alcohol to the rioters.

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  Attack on the Tribune building

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  The Colored Orphan Asylum which was burned.

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  Rioters attacking a building on Lexington Avenue.