It was certain death not only to any negro to be seen upon the streets but to any white person who expressed pity for the bad treatment to which the poor wretches were subjected. The telegraph wires were cut in many directions; and much inconvenience as well as a great deal of damage caused thereby. All the principal hotels in the city were organized for defence, and the male boarders armed themselves in case of attack; while in private families there was an almost universal compulsory fast, both because the markets were closed up, and because it was dangerous to go into the streets even for the purpose of purchasing the necessaries of life.
Nearly all day there were demonstrations by the rioters in Seventh avenue, in the vicinity of the arsenal. Cannon had been placed so as to command all the approaches to the arsenal, and a strong force of cavalry was on the ground. These preparations had the effect of keeping the mob at a respectful distance, but the spirit of turbulence manifested itself occasionally, and was often met by a terrible retribution from the military. Cannon were held in readiness, and the conflicts during the day, resulted in the killing and wounding of between forty and fifty men, women, and children. Toward night the mob found a negro man, and, having expended their rage by nearly killing him, they then hung him to a lamp post at the corner of Twenty-eighth street and Seventh avenue.
An attack upon the gas-house was made, but before it resulted in anything disastrous, a detachment of infantry came up, and immediately put the rioters to flight. To protect the works from any further damage the military kept guard upon them all night.
Late in the afternoon a consultation was held by Governor Seymour, General Sandford, General Wool and General Brown on the propriety of proclaiming martial law; but Governor Seymour was averse to such an extreme measure, depending upon the military forces then in the city and those expected to arrive to quell the disturbances.
In the course of the day the mob increased to the number of eight hundred persons. A large body of them attacked a shoe store on Grand street, and having appropriated every article of property it contained they set the building on fire, and reduced it to ashes. The citizens of the Tenth, Eleventh, Fifteenth, Seventeenth, and Nineteenth Wards having organized themselves into Committees of Safety, patrolled the streets carrying arms. Toward evening the Tenth, and Sixty-fifth regiments returned to the city, and were loudly cheered as they walked up Broadway. This somewhat sobered the rioters, but robbery and pillaging continued during the succeeding night, although both the military and police were on the alert. On this day the excitement had spread on the one side of the city to Brooklyn; and on the other to Hoboken; fires occurring in both cities ignited by the incendiaries, who profited by their wicked acts. Boston, Troy, Buffalo, and very many other cities of the North suffered by the riot during the fifteenth, and for several days succeeding.
THE FOURTH DAY.
The morning of the fourth day of the riot opened under auspicious circumstances. People awoke to find the cars and omnibuses running, and they never were so glad to see them before. The railroads and stage lines were assured ample protection by an order of Governor Seymour requiring General Sandford to furnish the Police Commissioners such force as they might require to protect their depots and stables.
The public confidence was still further increased by the arrival of the Seventh, and Seventy-fourth Regiments, and the battery of the Eighth.
The Sixty-fifth, Colonel Burns, of Buffalo, was placed by Governor Seymour under the orders of General Wool, and at an early hour three companies of it were assigned to the sub-treasury building. The other four companies were retained for street service at General Brown’s headquarters.
The battery of the Eighth regiment, Captain Brown, which arrived with the Sixty-fifth, was threatened by a mob at the Battery, but the two negro servants accompanying it were firmly protected.