New York Draft Riot
The
New York Draft Riots of
1863 represented protests against the
conscription of civilians into the
Union Army during the
United States Civil War. In July of 1863, antiwar newspapers in
New York City began to inflame their readers (largely working class and white) against fighting for the emancipation of blacks. One of the major complaints was the ability of wealthy individuals to buy a surrogate for $300, so that they themselves need not fight.
The first draft lottery was held on July 11, 1863. The riots, which lasted five days, began July 13, 1863. Targets of the rioters were initially government buildings, but soon spread to black property and organizations, and white sympathizers. The mobs caused more than $1.5 million of damage. The number killed during the riot is estimated from two dozen to over 100. One estimate gives 119 people killed, 306 injured.
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