Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[437] increased as a knowledge of the disturbances was made known, and during the afternoon many were looking on through curiosity, while others talked over the matter of the draft with considerable feeling.

These serious indications of difficulty caused measures to be taken to increase the police force in suitable locations, and orders were issued to notify the Lancers, the Eleventh battery, Captain Jones, and the Forty-fourth regiment, to be ready for immediate service. An order was also sent to Fort Warren for troops, and three companies ware sent up, which, after being marched through several of the principal streets, were quartered at the barracks in Beach street. A company of regulars was also sent up from Fort Independence, and nearly a company of the Second cavalry, from Readville. These precautions, it was believed, would be sufficient to prevent any difficulty during the night.

As night approached, many young men, in squads of from six to twelve or more, from various parts of the city, were seen moving toward the North End, some of them with sticks or clubs, but even then it was not clear that any mischief was designed. At about half-past 8 o'clock, a crowd of from five hundred to one thousand gathered in front of the armory of the Eleventh battery, in Cooper street, with riotous demonstrations. Captain Jones warned the crowd of the dangers of a riot, but this did not avail, and an assault was made upon the building. Stones and bricks were freely thrown, the windows were broken, and the door forced, when some of the rioters entered the building, and several of the members of the battery were injured. It was then manifest that some more effectual measures must be taken, or the guns in possession of the battery would be captured. A gun had been loaded with canister-shot, and when the mob were about to triumph, it was fired with fatal effect, killing several and wounding many more.

This shot caused the mob to waver, but they did not give way entirely until a bayonet-charge was made upon them. The statements during the evening were very conflicting as to the result of the firing, but as near as could be ascertained at a late hour, the killed and wounded were as follows: A man about thirty-five years of age, name not known, was killed, eleven shot taking effect in his head and body, and his right arm was nearly shot off. The body was taken to the First station-house. William Currier, a man of seventy-one years, father of Officer William W. Currier, who lived near the Armory, was killed, it is supposed, by the mob. He belonged in Bow, New-Hampshire, and had been living in this city about six months. John Norton, a boy ten or twelve years of age, living at No. 166 Endicott street, shot through the heart, and died instantly. Michael Gaffy, fourteen years old, living at No. 31 Cross street, was shot in the bowels, and probably did not survive the night; his hand was also shot off. P. Reynolds, a boy of twelve years, living in Boston Place, was shot in the hip, the bone being badly shattered, and his arm broken. He was sent to the hospital, and may survive.

The boys were all taken to the office of Dr. Walsh, in North square, and such measures were taken for the relief of the living as were found to be necessary. There were reports that the body of a woman was seen carried through the streets on a bier, but it could not be learned who she was. Reports of other persons being killed and wounded it was difficult to verify.

About the same time with the attack on the Armory, a mob of several hundred persons made a rush into Dock Square, to procure arms. The store of Thomas P. Barnes, No. 28, was broken open, the door and window being demolished, when the best arms in the store were immediately seized upon and carried away. Not less than one hundred guns, nearly as many pistols, and three or four dozen bowie-knives, valued at some three thousand dollars, were stolen. From appearances in the choice of the articles, and the position from which some of them were taken, it is believed that the leaders must have had knowledge of their location. The door of the entry adjoining was broken open, and the mob rushed up-stairs to the shop of John P. Lovell, gunsmith, but it did not appear that the shop was entered.

The next rush was made for the store of William Read & Son, Faneuil Hall Square. A guard of several officers has been stationed in this store, known to have a larger and more choice stock of fire-arms than any other in the city. When the mob entered Dock Square, John M. Dunn, detective officer, who was at Mr. Read's store, hurried to the Second station-house, filled a carriage with officers well armed, and driving rapidly reached the store just as the mob was breaking in. One man who struck a blow upon the window was shot in the head, and the mob received a check. This man was James Campbell, very stout and muscular, and although the shot took effect above his eye, causing much blood to flow, it did not appear that he was seriously injured. He was carried to the station-house, and locked up. Some efforts were made to effect his release on bail, which, however, proved ineffectual.

As soon as the riotous demonstrations became known, an alarm was given to turn out the military, as well as the police force. It was but a short time before nearly the entire day police force in the city proper reported for duty at the Second station, with a delegation of some thirty from South-Boston. This force was sent to Dock Square as fast as assembled, but the mob had separated, departing in different directions. The Mayor, Chief of Police, and Deputy Chief, were early at the scene of the riot, promptly and efficiently directing the movements of the police, and giving directions for the posting of the military.

The Light Dragoons were early on duty, and were placed as a patrol force in the neighbor. hood of the Cooper street Armory, in Haymarket