The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-08-07


The New York Riot.
We have heard it asserted that the
celebrated draft riot in New York city,
in 1863, was quelled by Governor
SEYMOUR, and that it was owing to
his personal influence and exertions
that a much greater destruction of
property and life did not take place.
This is a very great mistake, as any
one can prove by turning to the files
Of the New York papers, and reading
an account Of that most terrible affair.
The.riots commenced on the 18th
of July, and during that day were
confined to two or three wards. Sew
eral persons were killed, however,
and considerable property burned
and otherwise destroyed. On the
14sh the riot had spread to other
wards, and threatened the entire city.
lit was on this, the second day Of the
riot, that Governor SEYMOUR adj
dressed the rioters as his friends, and
promised them if they would quietly
dispense that nc would send his agent
TO Washington aud have the draft
suspended. lie also issued q pro-
clamation begging them to desist from
their work of devastation and dis
perse. But, while the rioters cheered
his speech. they went on with their
bloody work, and Colonel O'BRIEN,
one of the most gallant soldiers of
the war, fell a victim to their hatred
and malignity. On this day the riot
ers also sent a notification to some of
the principal printing Offices that
they must close up their establish
ments.
On the 14th, the riot continued
with increased fury. Negroes were
chased through the streets and many
of them murdered. Property was be-
ing fired in every direction and de-
strUction in every form carried on.
The police fought maufully, bat we're
unable to stem the tide. Fourteen Of
the militia were killed in the various
combats which took place 10 different
parts Of the city. This probably was
the most gloomy day tho citizens Of
New York ever experienced. Their
chief magistrate had nothing for the
brutal mob but soft words and
smooth phrases, which were alto
gether disregarded. They looked for
the entire destruction of their city,
and many Of them were in fear Of
their lives. as they had reason to be.
On the 10th the most desperate
fighting occurred in the 18th, 10th
and 2lst Wards. 1t was during this
day the soldiers who had but recent
ly driven LEE from the bloody field
of Gettysburg began to arrive in the
city. The 74th Regiment, New York
Volunteers, marched down Broadway
with fixed bayonets, pausing to let a
funeral procession with some OF the
victims Of the murderous riots, pass
through its ranks. 1t was followed
by other equally gallant regiments,
several Of them composed of Western
men. They were received with shouts
of gratitude by the intimidated and
.mob-ridden people.
On the next day, the 18th, Arch
bishop HUGHES sent out his circulars,
inviting the rioters to his house, where
he desired to address them. At first
his address was listened to with evil
dent dissatisfaction, but the contin-
ued arrival of the veterans from the
Army OF the Potomac convinced the
rioters that further resistance would
be madness, and consequently they
sulienly dispersed. In the mean
time General CANBY had reached the
city and established his beadonor
tiers. He had under his cor,man1
no less than twelve or fifteen ron;
ments Of infantry and cavalry ana
four or five batteries Of artillerv
These We're the men who established
peace, and maintained it while the
draft was enforced as had Originally
been intended. All the facts 20 to
show that Gov. SEYMOUR was as help
less before the mob, and as inefficient.
as was BUCHANAN in the presence of