Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-05-17
Terrible Riot I'm New YOrk City,
E;Okteen Killed and 25 Wounded.

Eighteen Killed and % Wounded.
One of the most lamentable and trag-
ic occurrences that ever took place in this
city, occurred last night at the Astor
Place Opera House. For some time
contest Of unusual bitterness and animos-
ity has been going on in this city between
tie partisans of rival actors, Mcready and
Forrest, which has grown out Of the hos
tile feelings that are said to exist towards
each other by both these tragedians, and
which have been excited to great pitch
Of intensity, of late, from the correspond
ence that has passed between them in
the public press. DIN consequence Of
this state of feeling, ar. Mcready was
driven from the stage of the Astor Place
Opera House, with every kind Of indig-
nifty, on Monday night last, by the par
tizans of Mr.. Forrest, and the play was
completely stopped.
This conduct induced Mr.. Mcready to
determine not to give farewell, but at
the solicitation of friends, he consented
to appear last uight. Assurances were
given that he should be protected by the
authorities, and to that end, yesterday a
considerable portion Of the police force
stationed themselves in and around the
house, and company of the National
Guards and one of the Governors Guards
with company of flying artillery gener-
ally known as Yates Battery, occupied
the park, ready to be called on at any
moment their services might be required.
About 5 O'Clock the crowd began to as
semble in the neighborhood of the Opera
House; and from that till seven their
numbers gradually increased till they
reached, it is estimated 10000. After
several manifestations of tumultuous feel
ing on the part of the crowd, stones at
length began to be fired at the windows,
and the doors at the back entrance of
the Theatre were broken in.
The principal attack was commenced
about O'Clock, when the windows of
the Opera House were demolished, and
various attempts made to force the doors.
The police contended with them until a.
bout o'clock, when the National Guards
came up (having been detained by the
l"ck of amunition) Their appearance
seemed to exasperate the crowd who
commenced throwing stones with greater
violence than before. The military at
length fired volley of blank cartridges,
which only had the effect ofirritating the
mob to greater degree. Orders we're
then given to load with ball, and three
volies, we ale informed, were fred with
the most disastrous effect. The mob
was not subdued till about IL o'clock.
The Recorder and Sheriff remonstra-
ted with the crowd to dispense, but be-
ing disregarded, the military were Or
dered to fire as a last resort.
Between 2 and o'clock, some 70 or
80 prisoners, who had been confined with
in the Opera building, were removed to
various police stations under a strong
guard of the 9th Ward police.
The crowd, perceiving, from the num-
Der of wounded and dead falling on ell
sides, that they were likely to be over
powered, and that further resistance was
vain, gave way, and peace was finally re-
stored.
There were Is citizens killed, and %
wounded. Of the soldiers some 80 or
40 were wouneed. Among the dead are
three women.
1t is said that many of the killed were
entirely innocent of the riot. A gentle
man and lady crossing the Bowery were
struck b, shot and both are reported
dead. A boy, 8 years old, was shot
through the foot. Mr.. Edgar, brokerin
Wall street, is reported among the killed.
Last Of Killed and Wounded-Jos.
Mcdonald, aged II, wounded in the left
lung, Geo. N. Kay, %, wounded Of right
lung, merchant of New Brunswick;
Bridget Pagan. Of Ireland, 80, wounded
of knee joint Henry Burgett, 81 Shout
err; Geo. A. Curtis, 80, printer, right
lung, of N. York; Geo. Lincoln, Mass.
80, shoemaker abdomen, dangerously;
Thos. Ayword. 10, Halifax, leg Stephen
Bolton, eve, 81, neck Conrad Becker,
J Germany, %, thigh; Ed. Mccormack,
N. Y.,doubtful, groin; john Balzeil,
Scotland, %, side.
OF the Cif'zens Two dead and nine woun-
ded, of whom seven are supposed to be NOR
sally wounded.-Oy the Military, six, who
were seriously injured by stones.
Henry Often, killed, Fred Gillespie, wonn-
ded, McGowen, wounded, Brown, Of AZ Mer-
Ger street, dead, a colored woman, who was
struck by a bsll and afterwards died while
on the way 10 the Hospital. A butcher
named Romaine, resident in LIST street,
was also killed.
AT the l7th Ward Station House are three
more dead bodies, viz. VIM. Parker, sailor.
VIM, Butler, ship joiner. Cd, unknown.
VIM. Smith, of 18th street, dead.
30 or 40 soldiers were wounded, aud as
many policemen, by balls and stones.