Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2) : $b A complete and reliable history of the war from its commencement to its close ... together with a complete chronological analysis of the warStephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
History
Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2) : $b A complete and reliable history of the war from its commencement to its close ... together with a complete chronological analysis of the war
Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
About half past two o’clock a large force of the mob stopped at a
lumber-yard on Fourteenth street, fired it, and burnt it to the ground,
causing the luckless owner a loss of ten thousand dollars. The rage of
the bloodthirsty rioters continued to expend itself upon the colored
population, and upon all who had the reputation of being abolitionists.
Many beautiful buildings were laid in ashes, for no other reason than
because some maliciously disposed person volunteered the information
that “an abolitionist lived in the pile somewhere.”
It was certain death not only to any negro to be seen upon the streets
but to any white person who expressed pity for the bad treatment to
which the poor wretches were subjected. The telegraph wires were cut in
many directions; and much inconvenience as well as a great deal of
damage caused thereby. All the principal hotels in the city were
organized for defence, and the male boarders armed themselves in case of
attack; while in private families there was an almost universal
compulsory fast, both because the markets were closed up, and because it
was dangerous to go into the streets even for the purpose of purchasing
the necessaries of life.
Nearly all day there were demonstrations by the rioters in Seventh
avenue, in the vicinity of the arsenal. Cannon had been placed so as to
command all the approaches to the arsenal, and a strong force of cavalry
was on the ground. These preparations had the effect of keeping the mob
at a respectful distance, but the spirit of turbulence manifested itself
occasionally, and was often met by a terrible retribution from the
military. Cannon were held in readiness, and the conflicts during the
day, resulted in the killing and wounding of between forty and fifty
men, women, and children. Toward night the mob found a negro man, and,
having expended their rage by nearly killing him, they then hung him to
a lamp post at the corner of Twenty-eighth street and Seventh avenue.
An attack upon the gas-house was made, but before it resulted in
anything disastrous, a detachment of infantry came up, and immediately
put the rioters to flight. To protect the works from any further damage
the military kept guard upon them all night.
Late in the afternoon a consultation was held by Governor Seymour,
General Sandford, General Wool and General Brown on the propriety of
proclaiming martial law; but Governor Seymour was averse to such an
extreme measure, depending upon the military forces then in the city and
those expected to arrive to quell the disturbances.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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