The Great Riots of New York 1712 to 1873

J >> J.T. Headley >> The Great Riots of New York 1712 to 1873

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Produecd by Richard Prairie, David Moynihan, Charles Franks
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

THE

GREAT RIOTS

OF

NEW YORK

1712 to 1873

INCLUDING A FULL AND COMPLETE ACCOUNT

OF THE

FOUR DAYS' DRAFT RIOT OF 1863

By HON. J.T. HEADLEY

TO

THE METROPOLITAN POLICE,

WHOSE

UNWAVERING FIDELITY AND COURAGE IN THE PAST,

ARE A SURE GUARANTEE OF WHAT THEY WILL DO

FOR

NEW YORK CITY IN THE FUTURE,

THIS WORK

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED

BY

THE AUTHOR.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. BURNING OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL'S OFFICE

2. THE OLD NEW YORK HOSPITAL, SCENE OF THE DOCTORS' RIOT

3. COLORED ORPHAN ASYLUM (ERECTED SINCE THE RIOT)

4. HEADQUARTERS METROPOLITAN POLICE

5. HEADQUARTERS METROPOLITAN FIRE DEPARTMENT

6. FORT LAFAYETTE, NEW YORK HARBOR

7. FORT HAMILTON, NEW YORK HARBOR

8. SCENE IN LEXINGTON AVENUE

9. ATTACK ON THE TRIBUNE OFFICE

10. FIGHT BETWEEN RIOTERS AND MILITIA

11. HANGING AND BURNING A NEGRO IN CLARKSON STREET

12. THE DEAD SERGEANT IN TWENTY-SECOND STREET

13. DRAGGING COLONEL O'BRIEN'S BODY IN THE STREET

14. BURNING SECOND AVENUE ARMORY

15. RECEIVING DEAD BODIES AT THE MORGUE

PREFACE.

The materials for the descriptions of the Negro and Doctors' Riots were
gathered from the Archives of the Historical Society; those of the
immediately succeeding ones, from the press of the times.

For the scenes and incidents that occurred on the stage and behind the
curtain in the Astor-place Opera Riot, I am indebted to a pamphlet
entitled "_Behind the Scenes_."

The materials for the history of the Draft Riots were obtained in part
from the Daily Press, and in part from the City and Military Authorities,
especially Commissioner Acton, Seth Hawley, General Brown, and Colonel
Frothingham, who succeeded in putting them down.

Mr. David Barnes, who published, some ten years ago, a pamphlet entitled
"The Metropolitan Police," kindly furnished me facts relating to the
Police Department of great value, and which saved me much labor and time.

Much difficulty has been encountered in gathering together, from various
quarters, the facts spread over a century and a half, but it is believed
that everything necessary to a complete understanding of the subjects
treated of has been given, consistent with the continuity and interest of
the narrative.

Of course some minor riots--a collection of mobs that were easily
dispersed by the police, and were characterized by no prolonged struggle
or striking incidents--are not mentioned.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Character of a City illustrated by Riots.--New Material for History of
Draft Riots.--History of the Rebellion incomplete without History of
them.--The Fate of the Nation resting on the Issues of the Struggle in New
York City.--The best Plan to adopt for Protection against Mobs.

CHAPTER II.

THE NEGRO RIOTS OF 1712-1741.

Almost impossible for the present Generation to comprehend its true
Character and Effect on the People.--Description of New York at that
Time.--The Negro Slaves.--The Negro Riot of 1712.--Description of it.--The
Winter of 1741.--Governor's House burned down.--Other Fires.--Suspicion of
the People.--Arrest and Imprisonment of the Blacks.--Reward offered for
the supposed Conspirators.--Alarm and Flight of the Inhabitants.--
Examination and Confession of Mary Burton.--Peggy, the Newfoundland
Beauty, and the Hughson Family.--The Conspiracy.--Executions.--Fast.--
Hughson's Hearing.--Hung in Chains.--The Body, and that of a Negro, left
to swing and rot in the Air.--Strange Change in the Appearances of the
Bodies.--The People throng to look at them.--Negroes burned at the Stake.
--Terrific Spectacle.--Bloody Summer.--Execution of a Catholic Priest.--
Strange Scenes.--Upper Classes accused.--Executions stopped.--Reason of
the Panic.

CHAPTER III.

THE STAMP-ACT RIOT OF 1765.

Thorough Understanding of the Principles of Liberty by the People.--The
Stamp Act.--How viewed by the Colonists.--Colden strengthens Fort George
in Alarm.--Arrival of the Stamps.--How the News was received by the Sons
of Liberty.--A Bold Placard.--Stamp Distributor frightened.--Patriotic
Action of the Merchants.--Public Demonstration against the Stamp Act.--
Colden takes Refuge in the Fort.--Dare not fire on the People.--The People
at the Gate demand the Stamps.--Colden and Lord Bute hung in Effigy.--
Colden's Coach-house broken open.--The Images placed in the Coach, and
dragged with Shouts through the Streets.--Hung again in Sight of the
Fort.--A Bonfire made of the Fence around Bowling Green, and the
Governor's Carriages, while the Garrison look silently on.--Prejudice
against Coaches.--Major James' House sacked.--Great Joy and Demonstration
at the Repeal of the Stamp Act.--Celebration of the King's Birthday.--
Loyalty of the People.--Mutiny Act.--A Riot becomes a Great Rebellion.

CHAPTER IV.

DOCTORS' RIOT, 1788.

Body-snatching.--Bodies dug up by Medical Students.--Excitement of the
People.--Effect of the Discovery of a human Limb from the Hospital.--Mob
ransack the Building.--Destruction of Anatomical Specimens.--Arrival of
Mayor, and Imprisonment of Students.--Second Day.--Examination of Columbia
College and Physicians' Houses.--Appeal of the Mayor and distinguished
Citizens to the Mob.--Mob attempt to break into Jail and seize the
Students.--The Fight.--The Military called out.--Beaten by the Mob.--
Larger Military Force called out.--Attacked by the Mob.--Deadly Firing.--
Great Excitement.--Flight of Doctors and Students.

CHAPTER V.

SPRING ELECTION RIOTS OF 1834.

Fatal Error in our Naturalization Laws.--Our Experiment of Self-government
not a fair one.--Fruit of giving Foreigners the Right to Vote.--Bitter
Feeling between Democrats and Whigs.--First Day of Election.--Ships
"Constitution" and "Veto."--Whigs driven from the Polls.--Excitement.--
Whigs determined to defend themselves.--Meeting called.--Resolutions.--
Second Day's Election.--Attack on the Frigate "Constitution."--A Bloody
Fight.--Mayor and Officers wounded.--Mob triumphant.--Excitement of the
Whigs.--The Streets blocked by fifteen thousand enraged Whigs.--Military
called out.--Occupy Arsenal and City Hall all Night.--Result of the
Election.--Excitement of the Whigs.--Mass-meeting in Castle Garden.

CHAPTER VI.

ABOLITION RIOTS OF 1834 AND 1835.

The Slavery Question agitated.--The End, Civil War.--The Results.--William
Lloyd Garrison.--Feeling of the People on the Subject.--First Attempt to
call a Meeting of the Abolitionists in New York.--Meeting in Chatham
Street Chapel.--A Fight.--Mob take Possession of Bowery Theatre.--Sacking
of Lewis Tappan's House.--Fight between Mob and Police.--Mobbing of Dr.
Cox's Church, in Laight Street.--His House broken into.--Street
Barricaded.--Attack on Arthur Tappan's Store.--Second Attack on Church in
Laight Street.--Church sacked in Spring Street.--Arrival of the Military.
--Barricades carried.--Mr. Ludlow's House entered.--Mob at Five Points.--
Destruction of Houses.--The City Military called out.--Mob overawed, and
Peace restored.--Five Points Riot.--Stone-cutters' Riot.

CHAPTER VII.

FLOUR RIOT OF 1837.

Starvation will always create a Riot.--Foreign Population easily aroused
against the Rich.--Severe Winter of 1836.--Scarcity of Flour.--Meeting of
Citizens called without Result.--Meeting called in the Park.--Speeches.--
Sacking of Hart & Co.'s Flour Store, in Washington Street.--Strange
Spectacle.--National Guards called out.--Disperse the Mob.--Attack on
Herrick's Flour Store.--Folly of the Riot.

CHAPTER VIII.

ASTOR-PLACE RIOTS, 1849.

Rivalry between Forrest and Macready.--Macready's Arrival in this
Country.--The Announcement of his Appearance at the Astor-place Opera
House, and Forrest at the Broadway Theatre the same Night posted Side by
Side.--Bowery Boys crowd the Opera House.--Anxiety of the Managers.--
Consultations and Dramatic Scenes behind the Curtain.--Stamping of the
People.--Scene on raising the Curtain.--Stormy Reception of Macready.--
Howled down.--Mrs. Pope driven from the Stage by the Outrageous Language
of the Mob.--Macready not allowed to go on.--His foolish Anger.--Flees for
his Life.--His Appearance the Second Night.--Preparations to put down the
Mob.--Exciting Scene in the Theatre.--Terrific Scenes without.--Military
arrive.--Attacked by the Mob.--Patience of the Troops.--Effort to avoid
Firing.--The Order to Fire.--Terrific Scene.--Strange Conduct of Forrest.
--Unpublished Anecdote of General Scott.

CHAPTER IX.

POLICE RIOT--DEAD-RABBITS' RIOT--BREAD RIOT, 1857.

Creation of the Metropolitan District.--Collision between Mayor Wood's
Police and the Metropolitan Police.--Seventh Regiment called out.--Dead-
Rabbits' Riot.--Severe Fight between the Roach Guards and Dead Rabbits.--
Police driven back.--Barricades erected.--Military called out.--Killed and
Wounded.--Bread Riot.--Financial Distress.

CHAPTER X.

DRAFT RIOTS OF 1863.

Cause of the Riots.--The London _Times_.--Draft called a despotic
Measure.--The despotic Power given to Washington by Congress.--Despotic
Action sometimes Necessary, in order to save the Life of the Nation.--The
Rights of Government.--Drafting he Legitimate Way to raise an Army--It is
not Unequal or Oppressive.

CHAPTER XI.

Rights of Municipalities.--Interference of the Legislature with the City
Government.--Conflict between the Governor and Police Commissioners.--A
Wrong becomes a Practical Blessing.--Provost Marshals.--Riot not
anticipated.--Bad time to commence the Draft.--Preparations of
Superintendent Kennedy.--The Police System.--Attack on Provost Marshal
Captain Erhardt.--Telegrams of the Police.--Kennedy starts on a Tour of
Observation.

CHAPTER XII.

Commencement of the Mob.--Its Line of March.--Its immense Size.--Attacks a
Provost-marshal's Office, in Third Avenue.--Set on Fire.--Terrible
Struggle of Kennedy for his Life with the Mob.--Carried to Head-quarters
unconscious.--Acton's Preparations.--The Telegraph System.--Mob cutting
down Telegraph Poles.--Number of Despatches sent over the Wires during the
Riot.--Superintendent of Telegraph Bureau seized and held Prisoner by the
Mob.

CHAPTER XIII.

Soldiers beaten by the Mob.--Gallant Fight of Sergeant McCredie.--Mob
Triumphant.--Beat Police Officers unmercifully.--Fearful Scenes.--Fifty
thousand People block Third Avenue.--A whole Block of Houses burning.--
Attack on a Gun Factory.--Defeat of the Broadway Squad.--Houses sacked in
Lexington Avenue.--Telegraph Dispatches.--Bull's Head Tavern burned.--
Block on Broadway burned.--Burning of the Negroes' Orphan Asylum.--Attack
on Mayor Opdyke's House.--A Crisis nobly met.--Gallant Fight and Victory
of Sergeant Carpenter.--A thrilling Spectacle.

CHAPTER XIV.

No Military in the City.--The Mayor calls on General Wool, commanding
Eastern Department, for Help.--Also on General Sandford.--General Wool
sends to General Brown, commanding Garrison in the Harbor, for U. S.
Troops.--Marines of the States appealed to for Troops.--General Brown
assumes Command.--Attack of Mob on the _Tribune_ Building.--Its
severe Punishment.--Government Buildings garrisoned.--Difficulty between
Generals Brown and Wool.--Head-quarters.--Police Commissioners' Office
Military Head-quarters.

CHAPTER XV.

Telegraph Bureau.--Its Work.--Skill and Daring and Success of its Force.--
Interesting Incidents.--Hairbreadth Escapes.--Detective Force.--Its
arduous Labors.--Its Disguises.--Shrewdness, Tact, and Courage.--Narrow
Escapes.--Hawley, the Chief Clerk.--His exhausting Labors.

CHAPTER XVI.

DRAFT RIOT--SECOND DAY.

Appearance of the City.--Assembling of the Mob.--Fight between Rioters and
the Police and Soldiers.--Storming of Houses.--Rioters hurled from the
Roofs.--Soldiers fire on the People.--Awful Death of Colonel O'Brien.--
Fight in Pitt Street.--Deadly Conflict for a Wire Factory.--Horrible
Impaling of a Man on an Iron Picket.--Mystery attached to him.--Second
Attack on Mayor Opdyke's House.--Second Fight for the Wire Factory.--
Telegraphic Dispatches.--Citizens Volunteering.--Raid on the Negroes.--
They are hunted to Death.--Savage Spectacle.--Negroes seek Head-quarters
of Police.--Appearance and State of the City.--Colonel Nugent's House
sacked.--Fight with the Mob in Third Avenue.--Battle at Gibbon's House.--
Policeman Shot.--Night Attack on Brooks and Brothers' Clothing Store.--
Value of the Telegraph System.--Captain Petty.--Seymour's Speech to the
Mob.--Cars and Stages seized.--Barricades.--Other Fights.--Acton and his
Labors.

CHAPTER XVII.

DRAFT RIOT--THIRD DAY.

Scenes in the City and at Head-quarters.--Fight in Eighth Avenue.--Cannon
sweep the Streets.--Narrow Escape of Captain Howell and Colonel Mott.--
Battle for Jackson's Foundry.--Howitzers clear the Street.--State of
Things shown by Telegraph Dispatches.--General Sandford sends out a Force
against a Mob, at Corner of Twenty-ninth Street and Seventh Avenue.--
Colonel Gardin's Fight with the Mob.--Is Wounded.--Mob Victorious.--Dead
and Wounded Soldiers left in the Street.--Captain Putnam sent to bring
them away.--Disperses the Mob.--Terrific Night.

CHAPTER XVIII.

DRAFT RIOT--FOURTH DAY.

Proclamations by the Governor and Mayor.--City districted.--Appearance of
the East Side of the City.--A small Squad of Soldiers chased into a
Foundry by the Mob.--Fierce Fight between the Mob and Military in Twenty-
ninth Street.--Soldiers driven from the Ground, leaving a dead Sergeant
behind.--Captain Putnam sent to bring the Body away.--Mows down the
Rioters with Canister.--Storms the Houses.--Utter Rout of the Mob.--
Colored Orphans and Negroes taken by Police to Blackwell's Island.--
Touching Scene.--Coming on of Night and a Thunder-storm.--Returning
Regiments.--Increased Force in the City to put down Violence.--Archbishop
Hughes offers to address the Irish.--Curious Account of an Interview of a
Lady with him and Governor Seymour.--Strange Conduct of the Prelate.

CHAPTER XIX.

CLOSING SCENES.

Tranquil Morning.--Proclamation of the Mayor.--Mob cowed.--Plunderers
afraid of Detection.--Dirty Cellars crowded with rich Apparel, Furniture,
and Works of Art.--Archbishop Hughes' Address.--Useless Efforts.--Acton's
Forty-eight Hours without Sleep over.--Change in Military Commanders in
the City.--General Brown relinquishes his Command.--True Words.--Noble
Character and Behavior of the Troops and Police.--General Brown's
invaluable Services.

CHAPTER XX.

Continued Tranquillity.--Strange Assortment of Plunder gathered in the
Cellars and Shanties of the Rioters.--Search for it exasperates the
Irish.--Noble Conduct of the Sanitary Police.--Sergeant Copeland.--
Prisoners tried.--Damages claimed from the City.--Number of Police
killed.--Twelve hundred Rioters killed.--The Riot Relief Fund.--List of
Colored People killed.--Generals Wool and Sandford's Reports.--Their
Truthfulness denied.--General Brown vindicated.

CHAPTER XXI.

ORANGE RIOTS OF 1870 AND 1871.

Religious Toleration.--Irish Feuds.--Battle of Boyne Water.--Orangemen.--
Origin and Object of the Society.--A Picnic at Elm Park.--Attacked by the
Ribbonmen.--The Fight. After Scenes.--Riot of 1871.--Conspiracy of the
Irish Catholics to prevent a Parade of Orangemen.--Forbidden by the City
Authorities.--Indignation of the People.--Meeting in the Produce
Exchange.--Governor Hoffman's Proclamation.--Morning of the 12th.--The
Orangemen at Lamartine Hall.--Attack on the Armories.--The Harpers
threatened.--Exciting Scenes around Lamartine Hall and at Police Head-
quarters.--Hibernia Hall cleared.--Attack on an Armory.--Formation of the
Procession.--Its March.--Attacked.--Firing of the Military without
Orders.--Terrific Scene.--The Hospitals and Morgue.--Night Scenes.--Number
of killed and wounded.--The Lesson.

THE GREAT RIOTS OF NEW YORK CITY.

CHAPTER I.

Character of a City illustrated by Riots.--New Material for History of
Draft Riots.--History of the Rebellion incomplete without History of
them.--The Fate of the Nation resting on the Issues of the Struggle in New
York City.--The best Plan to adopt for Protection against Mobs.

The history of the riots that have taken place in a great city from its
foundation, is a curious and unique one, and illustrates the peculiar
changes in tone and temper that have come over it in the course of its
development and growth. They exhibit also one phase of its moral
character--furnish a sort of moral history of that vast, ignorant,
turbulent class which is one of the distinguishing features of a great
city, and at the same time the chief cause of its solicitude and anxiety,
and often of dread.

The immediate cause, however, of my taking up the subject, was a request
from some of the chief actors in putting down the Draft Riots of 1863, to
write a history of them. It was argued that it had never been written,
except in a detached and fragmentary way in the daily press, which, from
the hurried manner in which it was done, was necessarily incomplete, and
more or less erroneous.

It was also said, and truly, that those who, by their courage and energy,
saved the city, and who now would aid me not only officially, but by their
personal recollections and private memoranda, would soon pass away, and
thus valuable material be lost.

Besides these valid reasons, it was asserted that the history of the
rebellion was not complete without it, and yet no historian of that most
important event in our national life had given the riots the prominence
they deserved, but simply referred to them as a side issue, instead of
having a vital bearing on the fate of the war and the nation. On no single
battle or campaign did the destiny of the country hinge as upon that
short, sharp campaign carried on by General Brown and the Police
Commissioners against the rioters in the streets of New York, in the
second week of July, 1863. Losses and defeats in the field could be and
were repaired, but defeat in New York would in all probability have ended
the war. It is not necessary to refer to the immediate direct effects of
such a disaster on the army in the field, although it is scarcely possible
to over-estimate the calamitous results that would have followed the
instantaneous stoppage, even for a short time, of the vast accumulations
of provisions, ammunition, and supplies of all kinds, that were on their
way to the army through New York. Nor is it necessary to speculate on the
effect of the diversion of troops from the front that such an event would
have compelled, in order to recover so vital a point. Washington had
better be uncovered than New York be lost. One thing only is needed to
show how complete and irreparable the disaster would have been; namely,
the effect it would have had on the finances of the country. With the
great banking-houses and moneyed institutions of New York sacked and
destroyed, the financial credit of the country would have broken down
utterly. The crash of falling houses all over the country that would have
followed financial disaster here, would have been like that of falling
trees in a forest swept by a hurricane. Had the rioters got complete
possession of the city but for a single day, their first dash would have
been for the treasures piled up in its moneyed institutions. Once in
possession of these, they, like the mobs of Paris, would have fired the
city before yielding them up. In the crisis that was then upon us, it
would not have required a long stoppage in this financial centre of the
country to have effected a second revolution. With no credit abroad and no
money at home, the Government would have been completely paralyzed. Not
long possession of the city was needed, but only swift destruction.

Doubtless the disastrous effects would have been increased tenfold, if
possible, by uprisings in other cities, which events showed were to
follow. Even partial success developed hostile elements slumbering in
various parts of the country, and running from Boston almost to the
extreme West.

In this view of the case, these riots assume a magnitude and importance
that one cannot contemplate without a feeling of terror, and the truth of
history requires that their proper place should be assigned them, and
those who put them down have an honorable position beside our successful
commanders and brave soldiers. It is also important, as a lesson for the
future, and naturally brings up the question, what are the best measures,
and what is the best policy for the city of New York to adopt, in order to
protect itself from that which to-day constitutes its greatest danger--
_mob violence?_ If it ever falls in ruins, the work of destruction
will commence and end within its own limits. We have a police and city
military which have been thought to be sufficient, but experience has
shown that though this provision may be ample to restore law and order in
the end, it works slowly, often unwisely, and always with an unnecessary
expenditure of life. In conversing with those of largest experience and
intelligence in the police department on this subject of such great and
growing importance, we are convinced, from their statements and views, a
vast improvement in this matter can be made, while the cost to the city,
instead of being increased, will be lessened; that is, a cheaper, wiser,
and more effectual plan than the present one can be adopted. Of course
this does not refer to mere local disturbances, which the police force in
the ordinary discharge of its duties can quell, but to those great
outbreaks which make it necessary to call out the military. Not that there
might not be exigencies in which it would be necessary to resort, not only
to the military of the city, but to invoke the aid of neighboring States;
for a riot may assume the proportions of a revolution, but for such no
local permanent remedy can be furnished.

The objections to relying on the military, as we invariably do in case of
a large mob, are many. In the first place, it takes the best part of a day
to get the troops together, so that a mob, so far as they are concerned,
has time not only to waste and destroy for many hours, but increase in
strength and audacity. The members of the various regiments are scattered
all over the city, engaged in different occupations and employments, and
without previous notice being given, it is a long and tedious process to
get them to their respective headquarters and in uniform. This wastes much
and most valuable time. Besides, they are compelled to reach the mustering
place singly or in small groups, and hence liable to be cut off or driven
back by the mob, which in most cases would know the place of rendezvous.

In the second place, the members are taken out from the mass of the
people, between whom there might be a strong sympathy in some particular
outbreak, which would impair their efficiency, and make them hesitate to
shoot down their friends and acquaintances.

In the third place, in ordinary peace times, these uniformed regiments are
not the steadiest or most reliable troops, as was witnessed in the riots
of 1863, as well as in those of the Astor Place in 1849.

They hesitate, or are apt to become hasty or disorganized in a close,
confused fight, and driven back. In the commencement of a riot, a defeat
of the military gives increased confidence, and indeed, power to a mob,
and snakes the sacrifice of life, in the end, far greater.

In the fourth place, clearing the streets does not always dissipate a mob.
A whole block of houses may become a fortress, which it is necessary to
storm before a permanent victory is gained. Half-disciplined men,
unaccustomed, and unskilled to such work, make poor headway with their
muskets through narrow halls, up stairways, and through scuttle-holes.

In the fifth place, the military of the city cannot be called away from
their work for two or three days, to parade the city, without a heavy
expense, and hence the process is a costly one.

In the last place, the firing of these troops at the best is not very
judicious, and cannot be discriminating, so that those are shot down often
least culpable, and of least influence in the mob--in fact, more lives
usually are taken than is necessary.

The simplest, most efficient, and most economical plan would be to select
five hundred or more of the most courageous, experienced, and efficient
men from the police department, and form them into a separate battalion,
and have them drilled in such evolutions, manoeuvres, and modes of attack
or defence, as would belong to the work they were set apart to do. A
battery might be given them in case of certain emergencies, and a portion
carefully trained in its use. At a certain signal of the bell, they should
be required to hasten, without a moment's delay, to their head-quarters. A
mob could hardly be gathered and commence work before this solid body of
disciplined, reliable men would be upon them. These five hundred men would
scatter five thousand rioters like chaff before them. It would be more
efficient than two entire regiments, even if assembled, and would be worth
more than the whole military of the city for the first half day.

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