After the raucous start on Monday, July 13, 1863, the Draft Riots continued throughout the week. Each day brought more outrages, as mobs assembled and moved through the city, attacking targets.
A number of stores were looted, and public buildings were burned. The local authorities couldn't bring things under control, and US Army troops were rushed into the city to deal with the mayhem. At times pitched battles erupted in the streets.
In this magazine illustration, a mob of rioters is fired upon by troops on Second Avenue. By the middle of 1863 the American public was used to hearing about battles, but needless to say, the nation was shocked by the outbreaks of violence in New York City.
It was said that President Lincoln, upon getting reports by telegraph, shuddered at the news coming from New York City.