88

REVOLUTIONS IN THE NORTH ATTEMPTED.

army of General Lee, who, when that sentence was written, was expected to lead his troops victoriously to the Schuylkill, and perhaps to the Hudson, was flying from Meade's troops, to find shelter from utter destruction, beyond the Potomac. And before the disheartening harangues of the Opposition orators were read by the gallant soldiers on the banks of the Mississippi, that great stream was opened, and the Imperial was making her way, without impediment, from St. Louis to New Orleans.' Such was the commentary on that speech; and the speedy response to it by the inhabitants of the city of New York, to whom it was addressed, was the sending of thousands of more troops to the field in defense of the Constitution and laws, and the life of the Republic.

But there was an immediate response in the City of New York to the utterances of leaders of the Peace Faction (of which those of Pierce and Seymour were mild specimens), appalling but logical. The Draft was about to commence there. Making that measure a pretext, as we have observed, leading Opposition journals were daily exciting the subjects of it to resistance; and one went so far as to counsel its readers to provide themselves. with arms, and keep in every family "a good rifled-musket, a few pounds of powder, and a hundred or so of shot," to "defend their homes and personal liberties from invasion from any quarter." On the evening of the 3d of July, a highly incendiary handbill, calculated to incite to insurrection, was circulated throughout the city; and it is believed that an organized outbreak on the 4th had been planned, and would have been executed, had not the news of Lee's defeat at Gettysburg, and Grant's success at Vicksburg, disap-pointed and dismayed the leaders. Lee's invasion, as we have observed, was a part of the programme of revolution in the Free-labor States, and so was the raid of Morgan into Indiana and Ohio, at about the same time, which we shall consider presently. There can be no doubt that a sword, like that which startled Damocles, hung by a single hair over the heart of the Republic at Gettysburg. Lee failed, and the nation was saved. The grand scheme of a counter-revolution in favor of peace and the independence of the "Confederate States," assumed the lesser proportions of a riot in New York City and outbreaks elsewhere, but its promoters were no less active in: preparations for another opportunity.

1 See page 637, volume II.

2 The World newspaper, quoted on pages 207 and 208 of the Martyr's Monument.

3 An army chaplain from New York recorded that on that day, while on the steamer Cahauba with a large number of Confederate prisoners, one of them, who seemed to be a shrewd politician, said: "Lee will not only invade Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but New York also. You will find war in the streets of your very city, carried on by those who hate your Government and love ours. You will be surprised at the number of friends we have in your very midst; friends who, when the time comes, will destroy your railroads, your telegraph wires, your government stores and property, and thus facilitate the glorious invasion now breaking you in pieces." Compare this with note 2, page 358, volume I.

At this time the Knights of the Golden Circle, who were numerous in the West, were very active. They held a meeting at Springfield, Illinois, on the 10th of June, when it was resolved to make the Draft the pretext for a revolution, and measures were accordingly adopted. They formed alliances with active members of the Peace Faction throughout the country, and it was arranged that New York should take the initiative in the revolutionary movement. The plan was for each State to assume its "independent sovereignty." New York and New Jersey were to do this through their Governors; the rest of the States (excepting New England, where there was no chance for success) were to be brought into the same attitude through the Knights of the Golden Circle and the armed Peace Faction. The argument to be offered was, that, the Government having failed to suppress the rebellion, the Union was dissolved into its original elements, the States, and each of these was left at perfect liberty to enter into new combinations.-Correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, August 5. 1963.

RIOT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

89

The riot in New York presented singular elements and phases. There were evidences of an organization in confusion, wildly led by perplexed leaders. When on Monday, the 13th of July, the Draft commenced in a building on the corner of Third Avenue and Forty-sixth Street, the spectators within were quiet and orderly, when suddenly a large crowd (who had destroyed the telegraph wires leading out of the city) assembled in the street near, a pistol was fired, missiles were hurled at the doors and windows of the building wherein the Draft was going on, the rioters rushed in, the clerks were driven out, and the papers were torn up; a can of spirits of turpentine was poured over the floor, and very soon that building and adjoining ones were in flames. The firemen were not allowed to extinguish them, and the policemen who came were overpowered, and their Superintendent (Mr. Kennedy) was severely beaten by the mob. So began the tumult in which thousands of disorderly persons, chiefly natives of Ireland, and strangers,' were active participants, and who, for full three days and nights, defied all law. Like a plague the disorder broke out simultaneously at different points, evidently having a central head somewhere. The cry against the Draft soon ceased, when the shouts, "Down with Abolitionists! Down with Niggers! Hurrah for Jeff. Davis !" were heard. Hundreds of citizens, found in the streets or drawn out of large manufacturing establishments which were closed at the command of the mob, were compelled to fall into the ranks of the insurgents on peril of personal harm. Arson and plunder became the business of the rioters, who were infuriated by strong drink and evil passions; and maiming and murder was their recreation. The colored population of the city were special objects of their wrath. These were hunted down, bruised and killed, as if they had been noxious wild beasts. Neither age nor sex were spared. Men, women, and children, shared a common fate at the hands of the fiends. The Asylum for Colored Orphans, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Forty-sixth Street, one of the noble city charities, in which about two hundred children without parents found a home, was first plundered and then laid in ashes, while the poor affrighted children, some beaten and maimed, fled in terror to whatever shelter they could find.

From Monday until Thursday the inhabitants of the great city were kept in mortal terror by the mob (which the organs of the Peace Faction spoke of as "a great uprising of the people "), for they were plundering and destroying almost without resistance. The Governor of the State interposed his authority as mildly as possible. The troops at the service of General

2

It is asserted, on what seems to be good authority, that large numbers of secessionists and rowdies had been for several days gathering in the city, at appointed places of rendezvous, chiefly from Baltimore, which, it is said, furnished about 3,000 of them.

2 Governor Seymour had been in the city on the Saturday previous, and went, that evening, to Long Branch, a watering-place on the New Jersey shore, about two hours' travel from New York. The riot began on Monday morning. He returned to the city on Tuesday at noon, when the riot was at its height, and the mob were menacing the Tribune building, near the City Hall, with destruction. The rumor spread among the mob that the Governor was at the City Hall, when large crowds flocked thither. Mr. Seymour was politely introduced to them by the Deputy Sheriff, on the steps of the Hall, when, after being loudly cheered by the rioters, he addressed them as follows: "My Friends: I have come down here from the quiet of the country to see what was the difficulty-to learn what all this trouble was concerning the Draft. Let me assure you that I am your friend. [Uproarious cheering.] You have been my friends [cries of Yes,' Yes,' That's so,' 'We are and will be again'], and now I assure you, my fellow-citizens, that I am here to show you a test of my friendship. [Cheers.] I wish to inform you that I have sent my Adjutant-General to Washington, to confer with the authorities there, and to have this Draft suspended and stopped. [Vociferous cheers.] I now ask you, as good citizens, to wait for his return, and I assure you that I will do all that I can to see that there is no inequality

90

ATTEMPT TO POSTPONE THE DRAFT.

Wool, commander of the military district, were too few at the beginning to quell the riot. Others were summoned from the military posts in the harbor, and these, with the efficient Metropolitan Police, managed, by Thursday, to hold the mob in check. At that time the volunteer companies of the city were beginning to return from Pennsylvania,' and the leaders of the riot plainly saw that further resistance to authority would be dangerous. So the city, after a sacrifice of life estimated at full four hundred persons, and a loss of property, for which it was compelled to pay, valued at $2,000,000,3 became quiet and orderly. The Draft was temporarily suspended until further orders from Washington, and the Governor gave assurances that it would not be renewed in the State of New York until the question of its constitutionality should be decided by the courts. His political friends urged him to use the military power of the State in the maintenance of that position.

Governor Seymour implored the President first to suspend the Draft because of alleged inequality in its operation, and to postpone it until the courts should pass judgment upon it. The Executive agreed to suspend it

ernor would be the most speedy and efficient means for securing the triumph of the Conspirators; also, that the theory involved in that demand, when and no wrong done any one. I wish you to take good care of all property, as good citizens, and see that every person is safe. The safe keeping of property and persons rests with you, and I charge you to disturb neither. It is your duty to maintain the good order of the city, and I know you will do it. I wish you now to separate as good citizens, and you can assemble again whenever you wish to do so. I ask you to leave all to me now, and I will see to your rights. Wait till my Adjutant returns froin Washington, and you shall be satisfied."

And then the rioters cheered loudly, and went on plundering, burning, and murdering, while waiting for the return of the Adjutant, notwithstanding the Governor issued, on the same day, a proclamation against such disorderly conduct.

1 See note 8, page 52.

2 In his next annual message, Governor Seymour said the estimated number of the killed and wounded was 1,000.

3 About twenty persons (twelve of them colored) were killed by the rioters. The remainder were slain by the military and police in the performance of their duty. They made exemplary work with the insurgents, firing directly among them, with deadly effect. Over fifty buildings were destroyed by the mob, and a large number of stores and dwellings, not burned, were sacked and plundered.

4 Governor Seymour," said the New York Daily News, "has pledged his word and honor (and the people of New York trust in and believe in him) that not one single drafted citizen shall be forced away from the State until the constitutionality of the conscription act shall have been decided." The New York Express said: "He is virtually pledged to call forth the entire militia force of the State of New York, to resist the kidnapping which Abolitionist howlers declare is inevitable, and we entertain no doubt that he will keep his word."

5 This little picture represents the manner of drafting. The names of persons liable to the Draft or co

THE WORK OF THE PEACE FACTION.

91 put in practice, would be destructive of the sovereignty of the people, so clearly declared in the Preamble to the National Constitution. It would so subordinate the Legislative to the Judicial branch of the Government, that Congress, which is the direct representative of the people, would have its powers confined to the duty of simply suggesting laws for the Supreme Court to create by a judicial fiat. The theory was inconsistent with the principles of representative Government.

August 19,

1563.

After proper investigation, the Draft went peaceably on; the armies were filled; the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus was suspended" throughout the entire Republic, and the war was prosecuted with vigor, in spite of formidable and organized opposition, which prolonged it. The Peace Faction, as essentially disloyal in theory and practice as were the armed Confederates, never represented the great mass of the Democratic or Opposition party in the Free-labor States. Its words and deeds were libels upon the genuine patriotism of the vast majority of the members of that party. Yet the influence of that active faction was such as to control the political action of the party, and to hold back thousands from the duty to their country which their patriotic instincts would have led them to perform. But in times of real, imminent danger to the sacred cause, they broke away from the thralls of the scheming demagogues who sought to make them instruments of mischief to their beloved country, and went nobly to battle. By that Peace Faction the war was prolonged at least two years, and, as a consequence, tens of thousands of precious lives, and tens of millions of treasure, were wasted. Its aims appeared no higher than the control of the powers and emoluments of public officers, and its loudest and most popular war-cry was, "Down with the Abolitionists! Down with the Negro!" That is to say, "Cursed be all Christian Philanthropists! Away with Justice and Humanity. Crucify them! Crucify them!" But the " common people" said "No;" and six months after the terrible "three days of July” in the City of New York, when no colored person's life was considered safe there, a regiment of Negro soldiers (Twenty-sixth United States Colored Troops), raised and equipped in the space of twenty days by the Loyal League of that city, marched down Broadway for the field, escorted by many of the leading citizens of the metropolis, and cheered by thousands who covered the sidewalks and filled windows and balconies. Everywhere the recruiting of this class of citizens was then going vigorously on. In that business Massachusetts had taken the lead, and Pennsylvania was a worthy imitator in zeal and success. When, late in 1864, the writer visited General Weitzel's (Twenty-fifth) corps, in front of Richmond, composed of colored troops, he found a large proportion of them from those States.'

We have alluded to Morgan's raid across the Ohio River, at about the time of Lee's invasion. The leader of it was the famous guerrilla chief, John

scription, were written on cards that were placed in the cylinder, made of tin, in which was a door. The drawing was public. A person, blindfolded, stood by the cylinder, and when it was turned several times, so as to mix the cards, he thrust in his hand and took out one. This was handed to the marshal, or his deputy, the name on the card distinctly spoken, and then recorded. This process was repeated, until the required number in the township or ward was drawn.

1 So early as February, 1868, a few colored recruits were raised in Philadelphia, by Robert R. Corson and a few others, and sent to Boston to join the Fifty-fourth Regiment there. Such was the prejudice there against employing negroes in the army, that Mr. Corson was compelled to buy the railway tickets for his recruits, and get them into the cars, one at a time and place, to avoid creating excitement. From time to time this class of

92

RAID OF JOHN H. MORGAN.

H. Morgan, already mentioned.' The raid about to be considered had manifold objects in behalf of the Confederacy, namely, to prepare the way for General Buckner, who was in East Tennessee on the borders of Kentucky, to dash into that State and seize Louisville, and, with Morgan, capture and plunder Cincinnati; to form a nucleus for an armed counter-revolution in the Northwest, where the "Knights of the Golden Circle," and the "Sons of Liberty," of the Peace Faction, were numerous, and to prevent re-enforce ments from being sent from that region to Meade. Also for the purpose

• June 19, 1868.

с

⚫ June 27. July 1, 2.

of plunder for himself and followers. So early as the middle of June, a pioneer party of about eighty Kentuckians crossed the Ohio into Indiana, at Leavenworth, to test the temper of the people. They swept through two or three counties in that region of the State, but were captured" when making their way back, by the Leavenworth Home Guards, under Major Clendenin, and the steamer Izetta. Morgan started northward a little later, with thirty-five hundred well-mounted men and six guns. He crossed the swollen Cumberland River at Burksville, after some opposition from General Jacobs's cavalry,' and pushed rapidly on to Columbia, where he was encountered and kept in check for three hours by one hundred and fifty of Wolford's cavalry, under Captain Carter, who was killed in the affray. After partly sacking the town, the raiders proceeded to destroy a bridge over the Green River, at Tebb's Bend, where they were confronted by two hundred Michigan troops, under Colonel Moore, and, after a desperate fight of several hours, were repulsed with a loss of more than two hundred killed and wounded. Moore was intrenched, and lost only six killed and twenty-three wounded.

July 3.

July 4.

recruits were thus sent out of the State for enrollment, the authorities of Pennsylvania refusing to accept them

as volunteers. Finally, at the middle of June, Governor Curtin forbade their being sent away. A new policy was begun. Major George H. Stearns was sent to Philadelphia with authority to raise colored troops. Mr. Corson, M. L. Hallowell, of the Society of Friends or Quakers, and Colonel Wagner, went to Chelten Hills, in the neighborhood of the city, and selected a spot for a recruiting station for colored troops, which was named Camp William Penn, by authority from Washington, to the command of which Colonel Wagner was appointed. Seventy-five men, whom Mr. Corson had recruited, were joined to the Third United States Colored Troops, and these, combined, pitched their tents, on the 20th of June, on the site of Camp William Penn, which became a great rendezvous for colored soldiers. A Supervisory Committee for recruiting colored soldiers was then appointed, and Mr. Corson was chosen general agent. Very soon the Government had at Camp William Penn barracks for 1,600 men, with every necessary appurtenance. A recruiting station was also opened in a large building on Chestnut Street, in Philadelphia; and from the ladies of the city thecolored troops received regimental banners, when 1 See page 499, volume II.

about to take the field.

2 Morgan's artillery and baggage was crossed on hastily-constructed scows, and the troops swam their horses.

3 Among the latter was a feminine soldier, a sprightly girl from Canada, only sixteen years of age, who served eighteen months in our service. She had been in seven different regiments, and participated in several battles. At Fredericksburg she was severely wounded. On account of the discovery of her sex, she was