Virtual Trivia

Question 26: The Most Violent Insurrection

April 26, 2021

Harper's Weekly illustration of the draft process.

On July 14, 1863, Anna Marie wrote of an event where there were 12,000 men with various weapons setting fires to a building, destroying the Colored Orphan Asylum, burning two houses and a block of stores.

What event was she describing?

New York City Draft Riots

On Saturday, July 11, 1863, the first lottery of the conscription law was held. For twenty-four hours the city remained quiet. Early on Monday, July 13, 1863, there began the five days of mayhem and bloodshed that would be known as the Civil War Draft Riots.