CIVIL WAR -- NEW YORK CITY DRAFT RIOTS]. Autograph letter signed "Will," by an unidentified Union soldier, to "Dear Ones," St. Nicholas Hotel, [New York], Thursday 5a.m. [16 July 1863]. 3 pages, 8vo, ruled paper, part in pencil . "WE WERE ORDERED TO SHOOT DOWN THE RIOT IN 1ST AVE....GOD WAS MERCIFUL IN KEEPING ME THROUGH A TERRIFIC FIGHT" A gripping account of deadly street fighting during the New York City Draft Riot of 1863. Addressing his "Dear Ones," the 19-year old soldier writes: "I cannot commence to tell you all that has happened since I left you. I enroled myself in the Citizens Brigade at the 7th Military headquarters & was ordered to report myself at 4 o.c. but hoping we might be needed before I went up at two. At about six we were ordered to shoot down the riot in 1st Ave. We marched to the spot with a determination to shoot or die. We had a hard & terrible fight for the first. The company I was in had the hardest time. Four were dropped & about six slightly wounded. The Rebels were on the house tops lying down so that they could throw stones at us & shoot at their pleasure & we had a very poor chance of seeing them, but we must of shot some ten of them...We stand here until six & then I don't know what next. I expect a bloody day is before me but I do not fear. I will not disgrace you. If I die I am giving my life for a holy cause. God was merciful in keeping me through a terrific fight. Remember me ever as your affect Son & brother, Will. As you can see this is written in haste. My hand trembles in holding a musket all day & night." The riots began on Monday, 13 July, sparked by the calling of Draft numbers in the city a few days before. Troops had to be pulled off the line in the Gettysburg campaign to quell the anarchy. Dozens of rioters were killed by cannon and rifle fire on the 15th and 16th, and casualties were especially high where Will was fighting, on First Avenue, between 18th and 19th Street. The 16th was indeed a "bloody day." By Friday the 17th, order had more or less been restored.
CIVIL WAR -- NEW YORK CITY DRAFT RIOTS]. Autograph letter signed "Will," by an unidentified Union soldier, to "Dear Ones," St. Nicholas Hotel, [New York], Thursday 5a.m. [16 July 1863]. 3 pages, 8vo, ruled paper, part in pencil . "WE WERE ORDERED TO SHOOT DOWN THE RIOT IN 1ST AVE....GOD WAS MERCIFUL IN KEEPING ME THROUGH A TERRIFIC FIGHT" A gripping account of deadly street fighting during the New York City Draft Riot of 1863. Addressing his "Dear Ones," the 19-year old soldier writes: "I cannot commence to tell you all that has happened since I left you. I enroled myself in the Citizens Brigade at the 7th Military headquarters & was ordered to report myself at 4 o.c. but hoping we might be needed before I went up at two. At about six we were ordered to shoot down the riot in 1st Ave. We marched to the spot with a determination to shoot or die. We had a hard & terrible fight for the first. The company I was in had the hardest time. Four were dropped & about six slightly wounded. The Rebels were on the house tops lying down so that they could throw stones at us & shoot at their pleasure & we had a very poor chance of seeing them, but we must of shot some ten of them...We stand here until six & then I don't know what next. I expect a bloody day is before me but I do not fear. I will not disgrace you. If I die I am giving my life for a holy cause. God was merciful in keeping me through a terrific fight. Remember me ever as your affect Son & brother, Will. As you can see this is written in haste. My hand trembles in holding a musket all day & night." The riots began on Monday, 13 July, sparked by the calling of Draft numbers in the city a few days before. Troops had to be pulled off the line in the Gettysburg campaign to quell the anarchy. Dozens of rioters were killed by cannon and rifle fire on the 15th and 16th, and casualties were especially high where Will was fighting, on First Avenue, between 18th and 19th Street. The 16th was indeed a "bloody day." By Friday the 17th, order had more or less been restored.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
