Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-20

hazy atmosphere, was such as our eyes never be-
fore beheld. The buildings fired were giving
forth lurid flames. that the atmosphere reflected
and refracted in a solemn gloom, while the toll
ing of the fire bells brought back "reminiscences OF
Moscow burning, and the Kremlin in lanes"
The state of the atmosphere ~feasfully exaggera-
ted the spectacle-wnile the excited crowds in
the streets, but added to the fearful magnitude
of the whole scene. The rain between III and
IL O'Clock ! st night blessed be the rain y dis,
persed the mob, and sent it off 10 bed. Rains
often are thus more effective than artillery.
TIL Journal of Commerce, of Friday, thus
comments upon the origin and progress of the
riot:
The origin of the riot was in the Ninth Con-
gresslonal District, where the drafting commenced
on Saturday last. A great crowd gathered yes-
terday morning around the Office in Third Ave
nue., where the drafting was in progress. On
Saturday the drawing of names had not been in
terrupted. Sunday interviewed and no one antic-
ipated any trouble, nor was there any reason to
believe that the occurrences of yesterday were
premeditated or organized. On the contrary,
there was probably no idea of it in the mind of
any one concerned, up to the moment of the out
break. Then a pent up fire seemed to break out
suddenly, and the absence of the military forces
relied on to check such demonstrations pre-
vented an immediate suppression so that it gained
power and assumed enormous proportions. The
office on which the attack was made is in the
Third Avenue, and the riot was at first confined
to that Locality. The officers escaped, it is hoped
without serious injury, bat the furious crowd
vented their rage on the building. set fire 20 il,
and then forbade any interference of the fire
companies, so that it was DESTROYED. The fire
was not confined 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 il commenced. the riot
spread into various parts of the city. Men every
where 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 draft,
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 un-
exampled in history. In a few hours the whole
of the upper part of the city was in possession oil
the mob. and a scene commenced whose horror
is beyond description. Without leadership, with
out any common design. thew selected objects
for their attack, and went from Que TO another
with tremendous raDidity. The details of much
that was done will he found elsewhere. Much
remains unreported, since, for various reasons, il
was impossible to collect the facts.
The lower part of the city remained quiet un.
til the evening, with the exception of excited
crowds in the neighborhood of the Park.
At about half past seven a sudden attack was
made on 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 con
dition not to he described. From the roof of the
Journal of Commerce building the view pre-
sented in the misty atmosphere was such as We
hope never to see again. In our own neighbor
hood all was quiet. and profound stiffness reigneC
where the city is by day most crowded and noisy
But in the distance new combinations and thu
remains of those kindled during the day lit tbs
drifting clouds with a red glow. and the shouts O.
the mob came down to us from far off scenes o.
riot. The fire bells have scarcely ceased thei
loud calls from hour to hour, and the night hal
been full of alarms and apprehensions.