Beschreibung:

Lot of 3 albumen photographs, each approx. 4.625 x 7.625 in. on 8 x 10 in. mounts, showing the 5th Battery of Ohio National Guard. Two photos show the battery on duty at the Hamilton County Courthouse, Cincinnati, in March 1884, just after the devastating civil riot, which destroyed the interior of the building. The first photo shows the battery deployed with their guns. In the background is an infantry company at shoulder arms just outside the courthouse. The second photo was also taken outside the courthouse with battery personnel informally posed around their guns and limbers, which are Civil War vintage brass six-pounders. A third albumen shows the mounted battery in an open field with guns and limbers. Although none of these photos are annotated or imprinted, vegetation in this image indicates it was taken later in the year. These images surfaced in Springfield, OH, the home station of one of three Ohio batteries on duty during the riot and is believed-to-be the 5th Battery. The Cincinnati Courthouse Riots were sparked following an unpopular murder trial verdict, at a time when citizenry felt that criminals were getting off too leniently. Occurring only a month after the Flood of 1884, outraged citizens called a public meeting to protest the verdict of manslaughter. After the meeting a crowd spilled into the streets and headed for the county jail, where it sought to lynch the prisoners. City police responded in kind and a bloody confrontation occurred. The following day, Governor Hoadly called out much of Ohio's militia to quell three nights of street fighting, arson and looting. Over 45 persons died and 125 were injured in the riot, which is still considered one of the bloodiest in US history. Condition: Average tonal qualities for photo prints, with stronger tones in the mounted battery image. Mounts are in average condition with light foxing to borders.