Draft Riot, New York, N.Y., 1863

Sketch: 1 p. An unfinished drawing of seven soldiers resting along the side of a tent. Two soldiers are standing, one of whom is shouldering a rifle. Drawn on verso of leaf, and upside down.

Sketch: 1 p. A drawing of an American Eagle sitting on a tree branch, looking down to its right at a snake with a man's head. The snake represents the Copperhead movement, and in particular Clement L. Vallandigham. The snake is facing a group of people who are situated underneath the eagle. This sketch means to respond to the Copperhead movement. On verso of leaf and upside down.

Sketch, note: 1 p. Two sketches of a man's head surrounded by writing. Written along the top of the sketch, 'Rejected Aug. 17th, 1863, 2d time.' Written below the sketches of the mens' heads 'Jim Best, 21 years old, party to the death of Mrs. Derrickson, colored.'

Sketch, right side of page. A woman faces away, and is carrying a sack on her head. A sign to her right is about the impending war. Various animals, all in different positions, are situated above the sign. Behind her, a dog is lying down, front facing and looking to its left.

Sketch: 1 p. Two soldiers standing, facing left and crossing their arms. They are surrounded by numerous tents and trees. Written on verso, 'Camp 8th Reg. [?] Reg. Army, Capt. Reade, Cmnding.' Not attached to binding.

Sketch: 1 p. A campsite on the Battery, New York City. Two figures are shown, standing separately, with trees and tents. 'Battery' is written on verso of the page.

Sketch: 1 p. A Ribbon bearing the motto 'Sketch-book,' and bearing the inscription 'Bart. del.' on a ribbon in front of two crossed pencils. The sketch is on the inside front cover of the sketchbook.

Sketch: 1 p. An unfinished drawing of the homes of draft riot participants. The image is drawn looking from the opposite side of two intersecting roads.

Sketch: 1 p. A drawing of an army campsite at Castle Garden, New York. In the foreground are tents, soldiers standing about, and horses. In the background is the upper portion of Castle Clinton, a flag being flown at full mast above the structure. Inscribed on verso, 'Headquarters Capt. Baldwin, Battery C. 5th Reg. Art., Battery, NY.' Not attached to the binding.

Sketch: 1 p. A soldier is crossing his arms, and standing in front of an Union-American flag and a recruiting poster. A saber hangs from the soldier's waistband. The poster reads, 'WANTED / 500 / GOOD MEN / REGULAR ARMY / BOUNTY / $510.'

Sketch, left side of page. Two men standing, wearing formal attire and top hats. The man on the left motions towards a working water spout, while the second man looks at the first, holding a cup in his right hand. Behind them is a sign that reads 'KEEP OFF [The] Grass.'

Sketch: 1 p. This is a finished and detailed sketch of the dwellings, likely of some rioters, in the Five Points area of Manhattan. Written on the verso, 'On the 13th of July not a single thief was left in the Five Points.-Capt. John Jourden, 6th ward Metropolitan Police.' Written on the recto, 'On the.'

Sketch: 1 p. An unfinished sketch of two men sitting on shallow steps. A third man, a policeman, is sitting on the street curb, his head turned to his left. He is holding a night stick. On verso of leaf and upside down.

This collection of thirteen sketches (graphite, and black ink and wash on paper) has been digitized from a small sketchbook in the New-York Historical Society's Museum. Most of these Civil War-era sketches were done by an artist identified only as 'J.H.W.', with other sketches inscribed 'Bart del.' Although there are other subjects in the sketchbook, including New York City street scenes and depictions of various types of people, only those sketches depicting New York during the Civil War at the time of the Draft Riots are included in the digital collection.

The Association for the Benefit of Colored Orphans was founded in 1836 and was originally located on Fifth Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets in Manhattan. The Colored Orphan Asylum was among the earliest organizations in the country to provide housing, training, and employment specifically for African American orphans. During the Draft Riots of July 14, 1863, the Colored Orphan Asylum was attacked by a mob. At that time, it housed some 600 to 800 homeless children in a large four story building surrounded by grounds and gardens.

The diaries of Charles Willoughby Dayton (1846-1910) date from 1863 to 1865: and contain entries about the weather and war news. He writes negatively about African Americans, African American soldiers, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Abraham Lincoln. He also mentions the New York Draft Riots and his fear of being killed by the mobs.