The draft riots occurred from July 13 to July 16, 1863. The were the result of opposition to:

• The first federal conscription act to draft soldiers for the Civil War
• The emmancipation of slaves
• The economic hard times of Irish immigrants

Men with enough money could buy there way out of the draft for $300. This meant that only the poor had to serve. Blacks were competing with the Irish for jobs especially as longshoremen.

The first draft lottery was held quietly on July 11. The second lottery was scheduled for July 13. The morning of the 13th several policemen were beaten and the uptown draft office was stormed. The riots quickly spread to all sections of the city. Stores were looted. 105 people died including 11 blacks who were murdered by the rioters. Order was restored on July 15-16 by five regiments of Union soldiers who were brought up from the battlefield at Gettysburg.

THE RIOTS IN NEW YORK: DESTRUCTION OF THE COLOURED ORPHAN ASYLUM

THE RIOTS IN NEW YORK: CONFLICT BTWEEN THE MILITARY AND THE RIOTERS IN FIRST-AVENUE

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