No
time is wasted, no argument is used. This produces an army which will
soon turn upon our now victorious soldiers already in the field, if they
shall not be sustained by recruits as they should be."
Notwithstanding Governor Seymour's neglect to give the enrolling
officers any cooeperation, preparations for the draft went on in New York
city without prospect of serious disturbance, except the incendiary
language of low newspapers and handbills. But scarcely had the wheel
begun to turn, and the drawing commenced on July 13, when a sudden riot
broke out. First demolishing the enrolling-office, the crowd next
attacked an adjoining block of stores, which they plundered and set on
fire, refusing to let the firemen put out the flames. From this point
the excitement and disorder spread over the city, which for three days
was at many points subjected to the uncontrolled fury of the mob. Loud
threats to destroy the New York "Tribune" office, which the inmates as
vigorously prepared to defend, were made. The most savage brutality was
wreaked upon colored people. The fine building of the colored Orphan
Asylum, where several hundred children barely found means of escape, was
plundered and set on fire. It was notable that foreigners of recent
importation were the principal leaders and actors in this lawlessness in
which two million dollars worth of property was destroyed, and several
hundred persons lost their lives.
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