Thomas F. (hardtack) -
An interesting book covering the major riots which occurred in New York City. Written in 1873, it is marred by the author's extreme prejudice against Catholics, the Irish, Negroes and others, especially immigrants. This prejudice became understandable when I read in the Afterword that the author was a high ranking member of the Know-Nothing Party in New York.
The author also tries to make the case that if the July, 1863 Draft Riots had succeeded, it would have resulted in a Confederate victory in the Civil War. I think that was a bit much.
I knew about the Draft Riots as they are mentioned in numerous Civil War history books. But I was astonished at the number of casualties, dead and wounded, the author describes, with well over a thousand dead. The rioters were so ruthless in their attacks on the police, military and innocent civilians, that the police and military finally engaged in brutal attacks, even with canister fired from cannons, to put down the riots. Rioting men and women were clubbed over the head, with many killed. However the Wikipedia site on the Riots has James McPherson, considered the Dean of Civil War historians, as estimating the number of deaths at only 120. Who should we believe?
Today the author's description of law enforcement's tactics at quelling the riot, and in fact the rioter' actions themselves, would result in world-wide media coverage and investigations on a vast scale due to their brutality.
And who would believe that numerous New York residents were burned at the stake in the 1700s? But it happened.
Still, after finishing the book, my favorite was the 1857 riot between the Dead Rabbits and the Roach Guards. The movie "The Gangs of New York" was based on this riot. However, I've never seen that movie.
The author also tries to make the case that if the July, 1863 Draft Riots had succeeded, it would have resulted in a Confederate victory in the Civil War. I think that was a bit much.
I knew about the Draft Riots as they are mentioned in numerous Civil War history books. But I was astonished at the number of casualties, dead and wounded, the author describes, with well over a thousand dead. The rioters were so ruthless in their attacks on the police, military and innocent civilians, that the police and military finally engaged in brutal attacks, even with canister fired from cannons, to put down the riots. Rioting men and women were clubbed over the head, with many killed. However the Wikipedia site on the Riots has James McPherson, considered the Dean of Civil War historians, as estimating the number of deaths at only 120. Who should we believe?
Today the author's description of law enforcement's tactics at quelling the riot, and in fact the rioter' actions themselves, would result in world-wide media coverage and investigations on a vast scale due to their brutality.
And who would believe that numerous New York residents were burned at the stake in the 1700s? But it happened.
Still, after finishing the book, my favorite was the 1857 riot between the Dead Rabbits and the Roach Guards. The movie "The Gangs of New York" was based on this riot. However, I've never seen that movie.
