Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-09-12
An Incident in the New York Draft
Riot.

An Incident in the New York Draft
Riot.
In a book concerning the Great Ri
OTIS in New York, recently issued by ] /.
I. Headley, we find sketch treating of
the gallant charge of Sergeant Carpen-
ter and his two hundred policeman upon
the infuriated Draft Mob of July, 1868.
Few readers have forgotten the intense
anxiety with which the country waited
for news from New York during the days
New York was at the mercy of this mob.
This charge of Sergeant Carpenter was
the first complete success of the police
over the lawless spirits who then over
awed the city, and but for its success no
man can foretell what might have been
the future of the country. The follow
ing is Mr.. Headley's description of the
fight:
An immense mob was reported coming
down Broadway for the purpose, some
thought, of attacking the negro walters
in the Lefarge House, between Amity
and Bleecker streets, but in fact to at
tack police headquarters in Mulberry
street, and break up the very center of
operations. 1t was bold stroke, but
the ring-lesders had been drinking all
day, and now, maddened by liquor, were
ready for the most desperate attempts.
When the news Of this movement reach
ed headquarters, the commissioners saw
thai crisis had come. The mob num-
bered at least five thousand, while they
could not muster at that moment two
hundred men. The clerk, Mr.. Hawley,
went to the commissioners room and
said Gentlemen, the crisis has come.
A battle has got to be fought now, and
won, too, or all is lost" They agreed
with him. " But who," they asked, will
lead the comparatively small force in
this fight !? He replied that he thought
Sergeant Carpenter should be selected
as one of the oldest and most experienc.
ed officers of the force. WE'LL" they
said, will you go down to his room and
see what he says about it? He went,
and laid before him the perilous condi-
tion of things, and that an immediate
and successful battle must be fought.
Carpenter heard him through and tax
ing in fully the condition of things,
paused moment, and then rising to his
full hight and lifting his hand said, "Tll
go, and I'll win that fight, or Daniel
Carpenter will never come back live
man." He walked out and summoned
the little force, and as, " Fall in, men
fall in" was repeated, they fell into line
along the street. When all was ready,
Acton turned to Carpenter, every linea.
ment Of whose face showed the stern
purpose that mastered him, and quietly
said, " Sergeant make no arrests"
1t was to be battle in which no pris.
oners were to be taken. Gall right" I"
replied Carpenter, as he buttoned up his
coat and shouted Forward" Solid
and silent, save their heavy measured
tread on the pavement, they moved down
Bleecker street toward Broadway. As
they turned into the latter street, oaly a
block and a half away, they saw the
mob, which filled the entire street as far
as the eye could reach, moving tumul.
tuously forward. Armed with clubs,
pitchforks, iron bars, and some with
guns and pistols, and most of them in
their shirt.sleeves and shouting as they
came, they presented wild and savage
appearance. Pedestrians fled down the
side streets, stores were hastily closed
stages vanished and they had the street
to themselves. A huge board on which
was inscribed "No Draft" was borne
aloft as a banner, and beside it waved
the Stars and Stripes.
The less than two hundred policemen
compact and firm, now halted, while
Carpenter detached two companies o.
fifty each up the parallel streets to the
right and left, as far as Fourth street
Coming down this street from both di
reetions, they were to strike the mob on
both fanks at the same time he charged
them in front. He waited till they had
reached their positions, and then shout.
ed, "By the right flank company front,
double-quick, charge" Instantaneously
every club was swung in air, and solid