William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[479] riot; in which he was ably assisted by Major Hooker, assistant Surgeon-General of the Commonwealth. Surgeon-General Dale detailed two surgeons to the Cooper-street Armory, one to Faneuil Hall, and one to the office of the assistant Quartermaster-General, United-States Army. They were directed to make their requisitions directly upon the Surgeon-General. Dressings were also forwarded to the various commands. The surgeons thus detailed were Dr. Ezra Palmer, surgeon of the Cadets; Dr. John P. Ordway, of the Eleventh Battery; and Dr. J. F. Harlow, of the Second Heavy Artillery.

Every precaution in the power of the Governor was taken to prevent outbreaks in the other cities of the Commonwealth; but in neither of them was there any organized effort to break the peace. In Boston alone did the rioters assume a menacing, hostile attitude. They assembled on the evening of the 14th, in the neighborhood of the armory of the Eleventh Battery, in Cooper Street, which they attacked with stones and other missiles. The doors were closed, and the military inside kept profound silence. The rioters knew that the military were in the armory, and ready to defend the place. By direction of the Governor, the Adjutant-General visited the armory late in the evening to learn if the officers and men were on duty. An immense throng of riotous persons thronged the streets, and everywhere imprecations were heard denunciatory of the national and State Governments, of the war, and of the draft. Being in citizen's dress, and conducting himself so as not to attract attention, he quietly made his way through the crowd to the door of the armory, into which he was admitted by a sentinel. He found every thing properly guarded. The military, under command of Major Cabot, were in position, quiet and reserved, but with firm determination expressed in every man's countenance, that the armory should not be attacked, the guns and ammunition captured, and their lives imperilled, without a manly resistance. After a survey of the position, he quietly left the armory as he had entered, made his way through the crowd, which every moment became more turbulent and excited, and apparently more determined than ever to attack the