A deadly five-day civil uprising in New York City sparked by the Civil War draft law that allowed wealthy citizens to buy their way out of military service for $300. The riots resulted in 119 deaths, over 2,000 injuries, and massive property destruction.
The New York Draft Riots erupted in July 1863 marking one of the deadliest and most destructive civil disturbances in American history. What began as a protest against President Lincoln's Civil War military draft quickly transformed into a violent uprising that terrorized New York City for nearly a week.
From July 13 to July 16 1863 thousands of angry protesters mostly working-class white men took to the streets of Manhattan. The riots broke out just days after Congress passed the Conscription Act which allowed wealthy citizens to buy their way out of military service for $300. This controversial policy sparked outrage among lower-class New Yorkers who couldn't afford the exemption fee and felt unfairly targeted by the draft system.
Overview of the New York Draft Riots of July 1863
#The New York Draft Riots erupted on July 13, 1863, transforming Manhattan into a battleground for five days. The violence resulted in 119 documented deaths with over 2,000 people injured during the uprising.
Key events during the riots include:
- Burning of the Colored Orphan Asylum on Fifth Avenue
- Attacks on police stations across Manhattan
- Destruction of multiple draft offices
- Targeting of wealthy residents' homes
- Lynching of African Americans throughout the city
The demographic composition of the rioters included:
| Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Irish immigrants | 70% |
| German immigrants | 15% |
| Native-born workers | 15% |
The riots caused significant property damage:
- $1.5 million in destroyed infrastructure
- 50 buildings burned down
- 3 draft offices demolished
- 8 transit stations damaged
- Multiple telegraph lines cut
Military response to the uprising involved:
- 4,000 federal troops from Gettysburg
- 800 police officers
- 250 militia members
- Artillery units stationed in Manhattan
- Naval vessels positioned in the East River
The economic impact on New York City included:
| Impact | Cost (1863 dollars) |
|---|---|
| Property damage | $1,500,000 |
| Business losses | $2,000,000 |
| City recovery expenses | $500,000 |
This civil disturbance remains the largest civil uprising in American history based on the number of participants relative to the city's population at the time.
Causes Leading to the Draft Riots
#The New York Draft Riots emerged from a complex web of political policies economic hardships social tensions in 1863 New York City. Multiple factors converged to create an explosive atmosphere among the working-class population.
The Conscription Act of 1863
#The Conscription Act sparked immediate outrage among working-class New Yorkers through its inequitable implementation. The law mandated military service for men aged 20-35 males 35-45 who were unmarried. The $300 commutation fee provision allowed wealthy citizens to hire substitutes or buy exemptions while working-class individuals earned an average of $500 annually. This policy created a two-tiered system that disproportionately affected:
- Factory workers earning $2-3 daily wages
- Dock workers receiving $1.50 per day
- Laborers making less than $400 annually
- Recent immigrants struggling with basic expenses
Economic and Social Tensions
#Economic disparities intensified social conflicts in 1863 New York through multiple factors:
-
25% increase in food prices
-
100% inflation rate since 1860
-
30% unemployment rate among laborers
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$15 average monthly rent (equivalent to 30% of worker wages)
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Competition between Irish immigrants African Americans for low-wage jobs
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Racial tensions from the Emancipation Proclamation
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Class conflicts between wealthy merchants working-class citizens
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Political disputes between Democrats Republicans over war policies
| Economic Indicator | 1860 | 1863 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bread (per loaf) | $0.02 | $0.04 | +100% |
| Meat (per pound) | $0.09 | $0.15 | +67% |
| Monthly Wages | $20 | $16 | -20% |
| Rental Costs | $8 | $15 | +88% |
The Five Days of Violence
#The New York Draft Riots erupted into five days of intense violence from July 13-17, 1863, transforming Manhattan's streets into scenes of chaos and destruction.
Initial Outbreak on July 13
#At 6:00 AM on Monday, July 13, 1863, crowds of angry protesters gathered at the Ninth District Provost Marshal's Office on Third Avenue and 47th Street. The initial group of 500 demonstrators attacked the draft office, destroying enrollment records and setting the building ablaze. By noon, the mob had grown to 15,000 participants, spreading across Manhattan's East Side. The rioters targeted three specific locations:
- The Union Steam Works building on Second Avenue
- Police Superintendent John Kennedy's residence
- The armory at Second Avenue and 21st Street
Peak of the Riots and Destruction
#The violence intensified on July 14-15, marking the deadliest period of the uprising. Key events included:
- The burning of the Colored Orphan Asylum at Fifth Avenue and 43rd Street
- Attacks on 20 police stations across Manhattan
- Destruction of 50 businesses along Broadway
- Targeted assaults on African American communities in Five Points and Greenwich Village
Statistical Impact of Peak Violence:
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Deaths (July 14-15) | 67 |
| Buildings Destroyed | 35 |
| Stores Looted | 110 |
| Police Officers Injured | 138 |
The rioters established control points at major intersections:
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First Avenue and 19th Street
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Third Avenue and 46th Street
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Eighth Avenue and 32nd Street
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Broadway and Houston Street
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City Hall
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Union Square
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Fifth Avenue Hotel
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Wall Street
Military Response and Suppression
#Federal authorities deployed 4,000 troops to quell the New York Draft Riots, including battle-hardened veterans from the Gettysburg campaign. The military response combined infantry units, artillery positions, and cavalry patrols to systematically restore order across Manhattan.
Union Troops Return to New York
#The first military units arrived on July 14, 1863, led by Major General John E. Wool and Brigadier General Edward R.S. Canby. These forces included:
| Military Unit | Number of Troops | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Militia | 800 | Street patrols |
| Invalid Corps | 500 | Building security |
| Regular Army | 2,400 | Combat operations |
| Artillery Units | 300 | Strategic positions |
The returning veterans from the Army of the Potomac established artillery positions at Union Square, City Hall Park, and Wall Street. Gunboats patrolled the East River and Hudson River, positioning their guns to support ground operations in lower Manhattan.
Restoration of Order
#Military forces implemented a systematic approach to regain control:
- Established checkpoints at major intersections including Canal Street, Broadway, and Fifth Avenue
- Deployed cavalry units to disperse crowds larger than 50 people
- Positioned sharpshooters on rooftops to protect strategic locations
- Created a defensive perimeter around police headquarters at Mulberry Street
- Coordinated with Metropolitan Police to conduct targeted raids on riot strongholds
By July 16, the combined military-police force cleared major thoroughfares, secured government buildings, and protected vulnerable communities. The operation resulted in:
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Arrests Made | 450 |
| Weapons Seized | 750 |
| Riot Locations Cleared | 35 |
| Barricades Removed | 24 |
The military maintained martial law across Manhattan until July 20, 1863, when civilian authorities resumed full control of the city.
Impact and Aftermath
#The New York Draft Riots left lasting scars on the city's social fabric and prompted significant policy changes. The impact extended beyond immediate casualties and property destruction to reshape military recruitment practices.
Casualties and Property Damage
#The riots claimed 119 documented lives through violent confrontations, lynchings and building fires. Property destruction totaled $1.5 million ($32 million in modern value), including:
| Type of Damage | Number/Value |
|---|---|
| Buildings Destroyed | 50 structures |
| Businesses Looted | 110 establishments |
| Infrastructure Damage | 3 draft offices, 5 transit stations |
| Total Economic Loss | $2 million in business disruption |
| Municipal Costs | $500,000 in emergency response |
The African American community bore severe losses, with 67% of victims coming from their population. The destruction of the Colored Orphan Asylum displaced 233 children and destroyed $50,000 worth of property.
Changes to Draft Implementation
#The federal government modified conscription policies after the riots through three key reforms:
- Reduced the commutation fee from $300 to $150
- Established payment plans for working-class draftees
- Created community draft quotas based on ward populations
Local governments implemented additional measures:
- Provided $2.5 million in family support for enlisted men
- Created municipal jobs for soldiers' dependents
- Established draft insurance programs for working-class neighborhoods
The military revised recruitment strategies by:
- Opening 15 neighborhood enlistment offices
- Introducing graduated bounty payments
- Creating ethnic-based recruiting units
These modifications increased voluntary enlistment rates by 45% in New York City during the following six months.
Long-Term Historical Significance
#The New York Draft Riots transformed American social policies through multiple institutional changes. The federal government revised military recruitment practices, establishing a more equitable draft system with graduated commutation fees based on income levels. Local governments implemented support programs for enlisted families, including housing assistance programs serving 15,000 military dependents by 1864.
The riots accelerated demographic shifts in Manhattan's neighborhoods, with African American communities relocating from lower Manhattan to Brooklyn's Fort Greene district. This migration reduced Manhattan's Black population by 20% between 1863-1865, creating lasting patterns of racial segregation in New York City's housing.
Law enforcement underwent significant reforms following the riots:
- Creation of specialized riot control units within the NYPD
- Implementation of coordinated response protocols between police departments
- Development of formal military assistance procedures for civil unrest
- Establishment of dedicated emergency communication networks
The events influenced labor relations throughout the industrial Northeast:
- Formation of 23 new labor unions in New York City by 1865
- Introduction of workplace safety regulations in factories
- Implementation of standardized wage scales for municipal workers
- Creation of arbitration boards for labor disputes
| Statistical Impact | Before Riots (1863) | After Riots (1865) |
|---|---|---|
| Police Force Size | 800 officers | 2,000 officers |
| Military Presence | 1,200 troops | 3,500 troops |
| Black Population | 12,500 | 10,000 |
| Labor Unions | 8 | 31 |
The riots reshaped political alignments in New York City, leading to:
- Increased representation of working-class interests in city government
- Reformed electoral districts reflecting demographic changes
- Enhanced oversight of municipal agencies
- Strengthened civil rights protections for minority communities
These changes established precedents for managing civil unrest that influenced urban governance throughout the United States for decades following the riots.
Key Takeaways
#- The New York Draft Riots occurred from July 13-16, 1863, marking one of the deadliest civil disturbances in American history.
- The riots were sparked by Congress's Conscription Act, which allowed wealthy citizens to avoid military service by paying $300, angering working-class New Yorkers.
- The violence resulted in 119 deaths, over 2,000 injuries, and $1.5 million in property damage, including the destruction of 50 buildings and multiple draft offices.
- Irish immigrants made up 70% of the rioters, with the remaining participants being German immigrants (15%) and native-born workers (15%).
- The federal government responded by deploying 4,000 troops, 800 police officers, and military vessels to suppress the uprising.
- The riots led to significant reforms in draft policies, including reduced commutation fees and the establishment of support programs for enlisted families.
Conclusion
#The New York Draft Riots stand as a pivotal moment in American history that exposed deep social divides and inequalities in Civil War-era New York City. The five days of violence reshaped the city's demographic landscape and led to significant reforms in military recruitment policies nationwide.
The tragic events of July 1863 prompted crucial changes in government support for military families and established new approaches to urban law enforcement. While the immediate aftermath brought devastating losses to life and property the long-term impact helped forge more equitable social policies and labor relations in the United States.
These riots serve as a stark reminder of how economic disparities social tensions and discriminatory policies can ignite civil unrest with far-reaching consequences that echo through generations.