The Great Riots of New York, 1712 to 1873Headley, Joel Tyler
History
The Great Riots of New York, 1712 to 1873
Headley, Joel Tyler
Draft Riot, New York, N.Y., 1863; New York (N.Y.) -- History; Riots -- New York (State) -- New York
Soon after this affair in Seventh Avenue, word was telegraphed that
Jackson's foundry, corner of Twenty-eighth Street, First and Second
Avenues, was threatened. A military force was despatched forthwith to
it, piloted by four policemen. At Twenty-first Street and First Avenue,
they were fired on by the mob. The attack was continued through the
street to Second Avenue, and up this to Twenty-fifth Street, without
any notice being taken of it by the troops. Made reckless by this
forbearance, the rioters began to close up in more dangerous proximity,
when the howitzer was unlimbered and pointed down the avenue. The mob
not liking the looks of this, scattered, when the column resumed its
march. The mob then rallied, and followed after, with shouts and distant
shots, till the foundry on Twenty-eighth Street was reached. Here
another mob came up from First Avenue, and the two made a simultaneous
attack. The command was then given to fire, and a volley was poured into
the crowd. Rapidly loading and firing, the troops soon stretched so many
on the pavement, that the rest broke and fled. The military then entered
the building and held it. The mob gathered around it, threatening to
storm it, but could not pluck up courage to make the attempt. They
seemed especially exasperated against the policemen, and had the
effrontery to send a committee to the officer in command, demanding
their surrender. If their request was refused, they declared they would
storm the building at all hazards; but if complied with, they would
disperse. The committee had to shout out their demands from the street.
In reply, the officer told them if they did not take themselves off
instantly, he would fire upon them; upon which they incontinently took
to their heels.
As the day wore on, things began to wear a still more threatening
aspect. Despatches came in from every quarter, announcing the activity
of the mob. To a question sent to the Thirteenth Precinct, a little past
twelve, inquiring how things were going on in Grand Street, was returned
the following reply: "Lively; store-keepers have fired into the mob; no
force there yet."
12.20. From Twenty-first. Building corner Thirty-third Street, Second
Avenue, is set on fire by the mob.
12.50. From Fifteenth. Send assistance to Twenty-first Precinct; they
are about attacking it.
12.55. From Twenty-sixth. It is reported that Government stores in
Greenwich, near Liberty, are on fire; fired by mob.
1.10. From Twenty-seventh. Send more men here forthwith.
1.25. From Fourth. Fire corner of Catharine Street and East Broadway.
1.45. A man just in from Eleventh Precinct, reports a number of bands of
robbers, numbering from fifty to one hundred each, breaking into stores
in Houston, near Attorney Street.
1.47 P.M. From Twenty-ninth. The mob have cleared Twenty-first Precinct
station-house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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