Series 5 - London Times report on the New York draft riots, 1863

6pp

Reproductions made from National Library of Ireland microfilms of articles from the 28 July and 30 July 1863 editions of the Times of London covering the 13-16 July 1863 riots in New York City widely regarded as the culmination of working-class discontent with new laws passed by Congress that year to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War. Much of the participants in the riots, and the police, soldiers, and pro-war politicians opposing them, were Irish Americans. The protests turned into a race riot against African Americans by Irish American rioters. President Abraham Lincoln diverted several regiments of militia and volunteer troops after the Battle of Gettysburg to control the city. The official death toll was listed at either 119 or 120.