This is the second in a three-part series of posts about Joseph F. Smith?s experiences during the New York Draft Riots of July 1863.  See the first part here.

Image:  CHARGE OF THE POLICE ON THE RIOTERS AT THE “TRIBUNE” OFFICE, Harper?s Weekly, August 1, 1863, p. 484 [1]

Joseph F. Smith arrived in New York City on July 6, 1863, after an unremarkable journey from Liverpool (though he did mention with disappointment on July 4^th that ?no demonstrations were mad[e] to commemorate the aneversery of American Independence,?[2] ).  He had been recently released from his missionary duties in the British Isles Mission, and was fulfilling an assignment to see several groups of Mormon emigrants safely into the U.S. and on their way toward Utah.  

After seeing the first group of emigrating Saints on their way toward Florence, Nebraska (the staging point for overland travel to the Salt Lake Valley), and while waiting for the remaining emigrant ships to arrive, Joseph F. spent several days touring New York City with other Mormon elders.[3]  He stayed with John W. Young, one of Brigham?s sons, in a hotel called the Stevens House, [4] located at No. 25, Broadway, close to the steamship docks and Castle Garden (through which the emigrants were processed, on the very southwestern tip of Manhattan Island).

While in Manhattan he did what any traveler would do:  he ate at restaurants, he saw the sights, and enjoyed himself capitally.  One day he toured P.T. Barnum?s American Museum, a popular attraction at Broadway and Ann Street, and came away most impressed with General Tom Thumb and wife and Commodore Nutt (Charles & Lavinia Stratton and George Nutt, three midgets in Barnum?s employ).  In fact, Joseph F. called Lavinia ?the prettiest little thing I ever saw,? and purchased a carte-de-visite of the Strattons and Nutt.[5]  He was also impressed with Ned the ?learned seal,? who played the organ.[6]  Another day Joseph F. Smith and John W. Young ?had a good swing? in the afternoon on Staten Island.[7]

Then the draft riots broke out.  In his diary on 13 July, this is what Joseph F. wrote:

[July 13, 1863; Monday]

Most of the day in the Office alone.  Partly arranged with bro. [Horace S.] Eldredge about going to Nauvoo.  to day is the seacond day[8] of drafting in the City.  When the provost Marshal of the 4^th Ward opened the business a mob gathered around and threatened to tear down an[d] demolish his office, the City guard were sent for, and were soon drawn up in front of the premicies, when the momb [sic] closed in upon them from all sides so thick, they could not hold their arms.  One of the guard however discharged his gun & kill?d one of the mob.  the rest discharged their pieces indiscriminately amongst the croud.  they were then engaged in a hand to hand fight.  the mob disarmed the Guard, who broak & run in every direction, mob following as closely as they could hurling stones, bricks, s[t]icks and everything they could wield, shooting when they could.  Some women joined in and helped on the row.  several houses were set on fire and were burned down.  The negrows were as[s]aulted wherever found, and beaten and mauled to death.[9]  the police dared not interfere [except] only where they were in sufficient numbers to ensure safety from the mob.  several policemen were killed, some beaten to a complete jelley.  John [W. Young] and I went over to Williamsburgh[10] in the evening for some clothes?been to wash.  on our return, we saw the Street lighted up and went that way, when we found a Negrow Boarding house had been attacked by the mob and torne down and all that would burn thrown out into the Street and set fire to.[11]  Crowds were assembled in all the publick Streets, excitedly discussing the proceedings of the day?and of Government respecting the draft.  the bone of contention & riot seemed to be, the privelige granted by the government for any person being drafted to purchase his freedome for $300.00, while those who were not able to pay the money had to go to the war.[12]  troops were sent for from several quarters, but not many had arrived up till late in the night.  the Tribune Office was threatened, and several other publick buildings. [13]

Note Joseph F.?s observational tone.  He intersperses errand-running with descriptions of the day?s events, mined from other sources except for what he and John W. Young witnessed on their return from Williamsburg.  He does not pass any judgment on the moral implications of the draft or response to it; there is no emotional reaction to the events other than a general concern for public safety and order.  This was something happening to New York City and its residents, not to him, as he saw it.

The next day, 14 July, Joseph F. recorded the following:

[July 14, 1863; Tuesday]

This morning earley I was awakened by the Command of Officers and the heavy quick March of Soldiers, by the Hotel, Coming in to protect the City.[14]  More riots are expected, the ?long Shore? men have left their work and gathered up into the town.  I wrote out 60 [emigration] tickets for bro. [Horace S.] Eldredge.  the day is very warm.  In the afternoon accompanied John W. Young and others of the brethren, viz. William Wrighton and Moar Gilit from the valley, en rout[e] to England on a mission and Samuel Fenton from Philadelphia, up Broadway some 2 miles.  Great excitement, the streets near the public buildings were thronged to excess with police, armed Citizens, Crowds of fireman, fire bells ringing in all directions, and the greatest excitement prevailing in all Circles.  Public meetings have been called but nothing decided upon.  All the negrows have ?skeedadled,? leaving all the boarding houses & Eating saloons, some of which were closed entirely.  it is with difficulty that we can get even our meals.  Some of the mob threatened to burn down the ?Steaven?s House,? where we are lodging.  25 killed & wounded during the day.

Note again in this entry the formal tone in reporting events, though the experience was becoming something that was happening to Joseph F., chiefly in the form of inconveniences.  Black New Yorkers were dying in the streets, yet Joseph F. wrote about touring the riot scenes as if they were part of Barnum’s museum, and lamented the difficulty of securing restaurant food?the riots had not yet become a personally affective event for him.  He was simply an observer, an outsider.  That would change late on the night of 15 July, which I will showcase next in the final part of this brief series.