Updated 07/13/2026

Burning of The Colored Orphan Asylum - Civil War Draft Riots

Now that The Four Seasons of Florence Wallace is out in the world, people have expressed surprise at the festering climate of New York and the actions of New Yorkers during the Civil War Draft riot. It is surprising if you view NY from the lens of a cosmopolitan, diverse and progressive city. But the truth is many New Yorkers had a vested interest in keeping Black people enslaved. Southerners owed New York banks millions. How would they receive payment from men at war? New York ship owners supplied cotton plantation owners with the means to transport their product." Cotton represented 40 percent of all the goods shipped out of the city's port." (History.com) New York would receive a big hit financially and with man power, with the mandatory draft lottery.

Irish immigrants feared losing their jobs to newly freed slaves. Yes, there were progressive New Yorkers who opposed slavery and the secession of southern states, but the loudest voices are often the people on the wrong side of history. In this case, the loudest voices flamed the toxic flames of hate.

Unsurprisingly, New Yorkers voted against Lincoln twice.

Newspaper ad for draft substitutes

The draft called for men between ages 20-35, and unmarried men ages 35-45 to serve. Black men (and Black people) were not considered citizens and could not serve.

African American history museum in DC.

It didn't help matters that rich men could buy a substitute to replace their war service for $300 due to the Conscription Act of 1863. Imagine a man's life being worth $300?? This and more led to the 1863 Draft Riots.

By Monday, July 14, 1863, the rioters were in a frenzy. They set upon the city, attacking Black people, homes of abolitionists, Republicans (the party that supported Lincoln), newspapers, the draft office, and more.

Conscription ad

Rioters on Lexington Avenue holding a "No Draft" sign

Around 2:30 PM, they set upon the Colored Orphan Asylum, where 200 Black children called home. The staff quickly ushered the children out through the back while police and firemen tried their best to keep the rioters at bay. Older children carried younger ones to the police station where they resided for several days until the military could restore order.

The question that haunts me is what would make adults attack a home for orphans? What kind of heinous people would do such a thing? Many of the books and articles I’ve read stated that the rioters were jealous of the children. They lived in a nice home with furnishings and food, whereas the rioters were immigrants struggling to survive in their new country while living in not-so-great conditions in tenements. They didn’t believe colored children DESERVED to have a nice place to live while they struggled in squalor. When I think of how terrified the children must have been having adults yell and scream obscenities just because of their race, I’m incensed. All children deserve to feel and be safe.

plaque in honor of the orphanage

The rioters took everything from the orphanage. They looted their books, school supplies, furniture, clothing, bedding, vegetables, animals, rugs, pictures from the wall — you name it! Then they burned the building to the ground, leaving innocent Black orphaned children homeless. Still, they survived the ordeal unlike others.

Rioters chasing Black family

At minimum, hundreds of people did not survive these vicious attacks. Black men were lynched. Women, children and those who disagreed with slavery were attacked, injured, or killed. Over 100 victims resulted from the draft riots, but unofficial numbers claim thousands. Order wasn't restored until some military men could return from Gettysburg.

Lynching of Black man during riots

The destruction of buildings, telegraph lines etc. would cost millions in today's dollars. But the cost of innocent life was far greater.

The burning of the orphanage leaves my protagonist, Florence, heartbroken. Sadly, this isn't a story that is widely known in our collective US History, but I hope to change that. Florence's story is so much more than the draft riots. She is a brave, gutsy girl who isn't going to let evil doers hold her back. I'm excited The Four Seasons of Florence Wallace is finally out and hope readers' curiosity is sparked to go deeper and learn more about our collective American history - the good, and the bad.

Sources:

Harris, L. M. (n.d.). The New York City Draft Riots of 1863. University of Chicago Press. https://press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/317749.html=The+New+York+City+Draft+Riots+of+1863=

History.com Editors. (n.d.). New York Draft Riots: 1863, Civil War & Causes | History. History. https://www.history.com/articles/draft-riots