The Draft Riots in New York, July, 1863 (Civil War)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1863. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Capt. Warlow awards to his men the highest praise as prompt, willing, courageous. Sergt. Babcock, who was absent, on hearing of the riot, returned and reported for duty before expiration of leave. On the morning of the 14th, in Second Avenue, the fighting was very severe, gun and pistol shots and missiles of all kinds being hurled from the buildings on to the police. In the charge ordered by Inspector Carpenter into the houses, up and on to their roofs, the First Precinct were prominent. To reach the rioters overhead was a perilous task; the scuttles were narrow; six determined men could have kept five hundred at bay; but a portion of the force made a rush, and soon gained the roofs, where a hand-to-hand conflict ensued; in every instance the rioters were knocked senseless; others searched the rooms. Rioters in their fright dropped from second and third story windows, some escaping unharmed, others receiving fearful injuries. Four of the rioters fled into a yard, and took shelter in an out-house. They were well armed, and how to get them out was the question. Assailing their shelter would be certain death. At length an ingenious plan was adopted to dislodge them. A large coping-stone, from the roof of the house overtopping it, was dropped on the out-house, demolishing one side and uncovering the refugees, who on the instant were assailed by the police in waiting, and rendered powerless for good or evil. During this exciting and terrible fight Capt. Warlow was struck on the foot with a stone, and two of his toes mashed badly, but he continued, thus crippled, on duty. On the evening of the 14th, when Brooks Brothers' clothing store was attacked, and thirty of this precinct served in its defence, all the street lamps in the vicinity were turned out, and the lights ...