The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-07-03
They had been under

upon the scene. Ihey naQ Deen unuel
arms in their armory at Centre Market.
The National Guard troop of horse led
the advance, turning into Astor Place
from Broadway. A vigorous charge was
made on the mob. 1t was met with
discharge of stones thrown by thousands
of the worst ruffians in the city. Many of
the mounted men fell, stunned, from
their saddles. Their unframed horses
plunged wildly about and the entire troop
was thrown into confusion.
At this point, Colonel Duryee gal
lantly pressed on toward the mob, which
seemed to be on the verge of victory.
He led his men in close file to the walls
of the building in the rear and then
forced his way to the front. The mob
received them with q shower of stones,
shattering over thirty stand of arms in
the hands that held them. Many of the
men were struck to the ground, severely
injured by jagged stones found in
nearby stone-yard. No orders to fire
had yet been given, and Recorder Tall
madgc, who, in the absence of the Mayor
represented the supreme authority of the
city, was notified that unless the order
to fire was given the soldiers would with
draw. The Recorder, Generals Hall and
Sanford held a consultation and it was
decided to fire. The order was given by
Sheriff Westcrvelt. The fist volley was
over the heads of the mob at blank
wall. This only encouraged the mob.
They believed the troops were afraid of
them and that they would not dare
to use ball. Colonel Duryee shouted to
the mob that 'the next volley of stones
would be returned with lead"
"Fire awayw shouted one of the ring
leaders, boldly barring his breast before a
musket. "Fire, will you?" beloved an
other as he hurled stone at General San
ford.
The order to fire was given. "Only
one musket," an account of the riot says,
"responded, and was answered by de-
fiant yclls and more pelting by the mob.
'Fire' again shouted General Sanford,
his voice almost smothered by the roar of
the seething multitude. Only two or
three muskets responded, when Colonel
Duryee, in ringing tones, shouted Fire!
and ringing volley all along the line re-
sponded." This fire was fatal, and the
mob fell back on all sides. A stand was
made at several points, and it was
found necessary to fire second and
q third vollcy before they finally dis
pcrsed. Twenty-three persons were
killed and twenty-five wounded.
The rioters made bonfres behind barri-
cades on the Bowery. They had the
effect of enabling the police to identify
the ringleaders, more than Thirty of
whom were arrested. The troops re-
manned masters of the situation. The
killed and wounded were removed to the
hospitals and their homes, and night of
horror, such as New York had never
before seen, came to On end. At an
early stage of the riot, Macready man
aged to escape from the building in the
disguise of militia officer. Next day,
he went to Boston and shortly after
tailed for England. Forrest played at
he Broadway while the tumult was rag
idg in and around the Opera House. He
was not. of course, in any way response
BILE for the horrible outbreak. Macready
subsequently expressed his regret that he
had not taken the advice of those who
counseled him not to play.
Next day the town was in tornado of
excitement. A mass meeting of citizens
was called to meet in City Hall Park.
Several thousand persons who sympa-
thized with the rioters assembled and
after fiery addresses by Isaah T. Rynders,
Edward Strahan, "Mike" Walsh and
others, resolutions were adopted censur-
ing the authorities and calling for the in
dictment of the officials who were respon-
sible foc the heartless sacrifice of human
life. A coroner's jury justified their ac-
tio1s