The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 27, 1863.

AMERICA.

nce onunt
e the
rot
that it gained power and assumed enormous propor-
-3
nldlaeveo
office
,whichh
ni o
the s .
awttnaockawt afisrmotadoeonis.
fined 'to that immediate locality. The officers
escaped, it is hoped, without serious injury, but the
furious ere% d vented their rage on the building, set
fire to it, and then forbade any interference of the
fire companies, so that it was destroyed. The fire
was not cotfined to this house. Like the mob,
once kindled it was unrestrained and destroyed
what it touched, no one staying its course. From
the locality in which it commenced the riot spread
into various parts of the city. Men everywhere
were excitable, and the whole community seemed
to be in a state of nervous anxiety, while portions
of it were ready to add to the fury of the mob.
Nothing was talked of but the draught, and the
burden of conversation on that subject was the old
story, which had been again and again talked over,
but which now had fresh interest. The rapidity
with which the riot spread is unexampled in his-
tory. In a few hours the whole of the upper part
of the city was in possession of the mob, and a scene
commenced whose horror is beyond description.
Without leadership, without any common design,
they selected objects for their attack, and went from
one to another with tremendous rapidity. The de-
tails of much that was done will be found elsewhere.
Much remains unreported, Once, for various rea-
sons, it was impossible to collect the facts. The
lower part of the city remained quiet until the even-
ing, with the exception of excited crowds in the
neighbourhood of the park. About half-past 7 a
sudden attack was made en the office of the Tribune.
For a few minutes the mob had possession of the
building, and a considerable amount of damage was
done, when a body of police charged on them,
cleared the building and formed a strong guard
around it. Night then came down on the city in a
condition not to be described. From the roof of
the irournaly Commerce building the view presented
in the misty atmosphere was such as we hopenever
to see again, In our neighbourhood all was quiet,
and profound stillness reigned, where the city
is by day most crowded and noisy. But in
the distance new conflagrations and the remains of
those kindled during the day lit the drifting clouds
with a red glow, and the shouts of the mob came
down to us from far off scenes of riot. The fire bells
hate scarcely ceased their loud call from hour to
hour, and the night has been full of alarms and ap-
prehensions. At the moment of writing, 3 o'clock,
a large fire has suddenly appeared in the western
part of the city, lighting the clouds, but we are un-
able to say whether it proceeds from the works of
the rioters or other causes."

The rioting Of the second day (14th) is thus de-
scribed :

"The fire broke out yesterday morning, about 10
o'clock, in the 7th and 13th wards. A large body
of men who had convened at different points in the
above-mentioned wards, marched down Pitt-street
for the purpose of visiting the shipyards and com-
pelling the workmen to join them. Word had been
received at the central police office of this move-
ment, and a detachment of 150 regulars, under com-
mand 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 speak with him. The
officer told him to stand aside, when a volley of
stones were hurled at the troops. They stood their
ground; and then the lieutenant directed his men
to fire over the heads of the crowd, The rioters then
discharged pistols at the soldiers, when the lieute-
nant 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 aot 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 accidentally 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 2d
avenue, near 34th street. The mob commenced firing
buildings and assailing persons in the streets. In-
formation of the outbreak being sent to the central
office, a powerful force of policemen and a detach-
ment of artillery were ordered to the spot. The
rioters were found to be 5,000 strong- The police-
men attacked them at once with clubs, and used
their pistols where it was necessary. The crowd
broke before their determined onslaught, but rallied
again. The battery of two 6-pounders, under com-
mand of Col. 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 last accounts. A large number of the rioters
were wounded, and several are believed to have been
killed. Report was brought to the central office at
11 o'clock that Mayor Opdyke's house, in sth-avenue,
had been sacked and burnt. Subsequent informa-
tion states that this report is unfounded. At 10
o'clock, the house occupied by Col. O'Brien (who
had volunteered his services to assist in suppressing
the mob), in Second Avenue, was assaulted by the
mob and most of the furniture destroyed and a large
number of valuable articles stolen. The house would
have been burnt down, but the fact became known
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 16th and 18th wards, stating that
riots were going on there. Forces of policemen and
military were promptly sent to quell them. Com-
missioner Acton took general charge of the police
arrangements, and manifested great energy and
decision, Gen. Harvey Brown superintended the
military. At half-past 12 o'clock yesterday several
hundred citizens had been sworn in as special police-
men, and placed on duty. The volunteers were gene-
rally business men and proPerty holders. Governor
Seymour arrived in 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 and taking measures to restore
peace. As soon as the Governor's presence at
the City-hall was known, a large crowd of people
assembled in front of the hall and called for the
Governor. He responded to their request and made
his appearance on the front steps. He was loudly
cheered. After order had been restored, the Go-
vernor made a very few remarks. He said, in sub-
stance,:that he had been called here by existing
trouble, and begged the people to understand that in
destroying life and property they only injured them-
selves. 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 con-
scription. The conscription was not in progress. He
had sent Adjutant-General Sprague to Washington
to ask that the draught might be stopped until the
Cares could decide upon its legality. (Here there
was an outburst of enthusiasm, lasting several
minutes.) To the decision of the Courts they owed
obedience and respect. If the Courts decided the
. .
law legal, he would use every exertion to see that
there should be no inequality in the matter of exemp-
tion between rich and poor. (Great cheering.) If
they, would leave the matter in his hands, all would
be well. The Governor closed by appealing for good
order. The Governor then withdrew, amid loud
cheering. a The crowd at the City-hall was orderly
and appeared to•comprise few rioters. The riot in
the 16th precinct appeared to be a very serious
affair. The school-house at the corner of 17th street
and 3d avenue had been set on fire. A mob ,was
also destroying the soap and candle factory of
Jones and Co. Captain Petty with 100 men dis-
persed the rioters without a fight. At the 7th Regi-
ment Armory,. 400 men under Lieutenant Kemp
kept guard with two howitzers loaded with grape
-and canister. Colonel Henry E. Davies !was

organising a force at that place, and expected to
raise a force of 6,000 citizens, most ex-members of
the militia. At the Bth Regiment Armoury 100
men with one howitzer were on guard. Colonel Sar-
dine and his Hawkins' Zouaves have the 9th Regi-

went Armoury in their keeping. A large number
of the Zauaves have offered their services. The
attack on Major's Opdyke's house resulted only in
the breaking of the lanterns in front of the pre-
mises. A body of about 150 citizens, aided by a
few policemen, drove the rioters away. Subse-
quently 200 soldiers from Staten Island were placed
on guard at the mayor's house. By request of the
mayor, a force of 50 policemen were sent to his
office 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 jewellery establish.
ments 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 employes 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 daring the whole day; but they were well
fed on Tuesday. The St. Nicholas and other up-
town hotels spread tables for them. A great quan-
tity of hams, smoked beef, crackers, and bread his
also been stored at the police head-quarters for the
sustenance of the men. At one p.m. on Tuesday a
large force of marines, and the James T. Brady
Light Infantry (11th Regiment of Volun-
teers) 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 after-
noon, and were assigned to duty. A large crowd
collected in Anthony-street, opposite Claflin and
Mellan's dry goods store, with the evident inten-
tion of sacking the Government stores there. Only
a few men were on guard, but they succeeded in
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 Anthony-street both ways.
This little precaution kept the mob at a respectful
distance for the rest of the day. One of the build•
ings burnt down yesterday morning was the resi-
dence of the city postmaster, on 86th street, between
4th and sth avenues. The occupants had left, fear-
ing an attack. The house was stripped of all its
valuable contents, and a fire was started on the par-
lour floor. In a few minutes the whole building
was in flames. No firemen were present to assist
in putting out the conflagration. The fire soon
communicated to the 24d precinct station-house
opposite. The doorman in charge of the premises,
Mr. Charles Ebling, succeeded in saving the tele-
graph box and clock, and made good his escape. The
building with all its contents was soon in ashes.
Col. Nugent's residence, on 86th street, between 3d
and 4th avenues, was also burnt. Soon after these
occurrences, a large body of rioters marched to Co-
lumbia College, with the intention of sacking and
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 Broad-
way and Broome, was destroyed by fre at the hands
of the mob during the forenoon. The plaining, turn-
ing, and sawmill of Mr. Hanson, at Harlem, were
fired at 4 a.m. Two restaurants, a cigar' store, a feed
store, a coal-office, and a butcher's shop adjoining,
were also burnt. The Hudson River 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 in the
afternoon the rioters in the 22d ward sacked the
store of Mr. Molter, corner of 86th street and 3d
avenue, and fired it. Harlem was next visited, and
Washington-hall, and two buildings on 3d avenue,
near 120th street, burnt to the ground. A porter
house on sth avenae,near 91st street, was also burnt,
the mob having been refused free drinks by the pro-
prietor. It was reported that the bridge over
M'Comb's dam had been destroyed, The telegraph
which had been working in Ist and 2d avenues dur-
ing the forenoon were cut shortly after mid-day. A t
3 p.m., a telegram was received from Col. Fry, Pro-
vost Marshal-General, by Col. Nugent, directing
him to suspend the draught in the city. It was re-
ported at the central office that Col. O'Brien, of the
11th New York Volunteers, had been beaten to
death on 2d avenue. The crowd who tore up the
Hudson liver track sacked a grocery store on 11th
avenue, between 41st and 42d streets. No policemen
were in the neighbourhood, and but few soldiers,
who could do nothing to stop the rioters. Governor
Seymour issued the following proclamation and ac-
companying notice :

PROCLAMATION-TO THE PEOPLE OP THE CITY OF
NEW YORK.

" A riotous demonstration in your city, originating in
opposition to the conscription of soldiers for the military
service of the United States, has swelled into vast propor-
tions, directing its fury against the property and lives of
peaceful citizens. I know that many of those who have
participated in these proceedings would not have allowed
themselves to be carried to such extremes of violence and
of wrong, except under an apprehension of injustice, but
such persons are reminded that the only opposition to the
conscription which can be allowed is an appeal to the courts.
" The right of every citizen to make such an appeal will
be maintained, and the decision of the courts must be re-
spected and obeyed by people and rulers alike. No other
course is consistent with the maintenance of the laws, the
peace and order,of the city, and the safety of its inhabitants.
" Riotous proceedings must and shall be put down
the laws of the State of New York must be enforced ; its
peace and order maintained, and the lives and property of
all its citizens protected at any and every hazard. The rights
of every citizen will be properly guarded and defended by
the chief magistrate of the State.
"' I do therefore call upon all persons engaged in these
riotous proceedings to retire to their homes and employ..
ments, declaring to them that unless they do so at once I
shall use all the power necessary to restore the peace and
order of the city. I also call upon all well-disposed persons
not enrolled for the preservation of order to pursue their
ordinary avocations.
" Let all citizens stand firmly by the constituted autho-
rities, sustaining law and order in the city, and ready to
answer any such demand as circumstances may render
necessary for me to make upon their services, and they may
rely upon a rigid enforcement of the laws of this State
against all who violate them.

_
‘' ' HORATIO SEYMOUR, Governor.
1‘ ' New York, July 14!

" The mob in the 18th ward yesterday afternoon
attacked the gun factory of Marston and Co., corner
safe
-ak's es:IP linte:
of 22d street and 2d avenue, occupied the building,
and seized the arms. A large detachment of pOlice
under Inspector Dilke 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 came up the
stairs, and a sharp contest ensued, resulting. in the
complete discomfiture of the rioters. Many of
them were seriously injured by clubs,
the guns.
lid
naBl.l were The
driven out: The police recovered all ,
muskets rescued from the arsenal in 21st street and
2d avenue on Monday
in the Union Steam Works, at the corner of 22d
were stored,' for
street and 2d avenue. The riotcr6 ret-NiNLd inf?ram-
afteitioon
tion of a:it, Let, and yesterday
and' took possession P
f the works. A force of 300
policemen arrived soon after, when the rioters at-
temptedwithout using the musket Al
to escape, 8. ost
of them got away, but about 30 were dreadfully
clubbed about the head, and some probably y killed.
Three musket shots were fired at the police as they
advanced up the street. The Police then held t4heir
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 dislodgedand
the rioters in full possession. A fresh force oft4ice,