Body snatching. Bodies dug up by Medical
Students. Excitement of the People. Effect of the Discovery
of a human Limb from the Hospital. Mob ransack the Building.
Destruction of Anatomical Specimens. Arrival of Mayor, and
Imprisonment of Students. Second Day. Examination of
Columbia College and Physicians' Houses. Appeal of the Mayor
and distinguished Citizens to the Mob. Mob attempt to break
into Jail and seize the Students. The Fight. The Military
called out. Beaten by the Mob. Larger Military Force called
out. Attacked by the Mob. Deadly Firing. Great Excitement.
Flight of Doctors and Students.
In former times "body snatching," or digging up bodies for
dissections, was much, more heard of than at present. The
fear of it was so great, that often, in the neighborhood
where medical students were pursuing their studies, persons
who lost friends would have a watch kept over their graves
for several nights, to prevent them from being dug up.
Neither the high social position of parties nor sex was any
barrier to this desecration of graves, and the public mind
was often shocked by accounts of the young and beautiful
being disinterred, to be cut up by medical students. In the
city there was, a few years ago and perhaps there is now a
regular commercial price for bodies.
Although it was conceded that for thorough instruction in
medical science, subjects for dissection were necessary, yet
no one outside of the medical profession could be found to
sanction "bodysnatching." There is a sacredness attached to
the grave that the most hardened feel. Whenever the earth is
thrown over the body of a man, no matter how abject or
sinful he may have been, the involuntary exclamation of
every one is "requiescat in pace." When, it comes to be one
of our own personal friends, a parent, sister, or child, to
this feeling of sacredness is added that of affection, and
no wrong is like that of invading the tomb of those we love.
Shakespeare left his curse for him who should disturb his
bones; and all feel like cursing those who disturb the bones
of friends who are linked to them by blood and affection.
In the winter of 1787 and 1788, medical students of New York
City dug up bodies more frequently than usual, or were more
reckless in their mode of action, for the inhabitants became
greatly excited over the stories that were told of their
conduct. Some of these, if true, revealed a brutality and
indecency, shocking as it was unnecessary. Usually, the
students had contented themselves with ripping open the
graves of strangers and negroes, about whom there was little
feeling; but this winter they dug up respectable people,
even young women, of whom they made an indecent exposure.
The stories did not lose anything by repetition, and soon
the conduct of physicians and medical students became a town
talk. There seemed to be no remedy for this state of things;
the graveyards, which were then in the heart of the city,
were easily accessible; while plenty of men could be found,
who, for a small sum, would dig up any body that was
desired. A mere accident caused this state of feeling to
culminate and suddenly break out into action. In the spring,
some boys were playing in the rear of the hospital, when a
young surgeon, from a mere whim, showed an amputated arm to
them. One of them, impelled by curiosity, immediately
mounted a ladder that stood against the wall, used in making
some repairs, when the surgeon told him to look at his
mother's arm. The little fellow's mother had recently died,
and filled with terror, he immediately hastened to his
father, who was a mason, and working at the time in
Broadway. The father at once went to his wife's grave, and
had it opened. He found the body gone, and returned to his
fellow workmen with the news. They were filled with rage,
and, armed with tools, and gathering a crowd as they
marched, they surged up around the hospital.
At first many seemed to be impelled only by curiosity, but
as the throng increased, the masons became eager for
decisive action. Threats and denunciations began to arise on
every side, and then appeals for vengeance, till at length
they rushed for the door, and pouring into the building,
began the work of destruction. For a while there was a
terrible rattling of bones, as they tore down, and smashed
every anatomical specimen they could lay their hands on.
Valuable imported ones shared the common fate. They swarmed
through the building, and finally came upon fresh subjects,
apparently but just dug up. This kindled their rage tenfold,
and the students, who thus far had been unmolested, were in
danger of being roughly handled.
The news of the gathering of the crowd and its threatening
aspect, had reached the Mayor, who immediately summoned the
sheriff, and taking him with several prominent citizens,
hastened to the spot. Finding the students in the hands of
the infuriated mob, he released them, and to the
satisfaction, apparently, of the rioters, sent them to jail
for safe keeping.
There was now nothing left for them to do, and they
dispersed, and the matter was thought to be ended.
But, during the evening, knots of men were everywhere
discussing the events of the day, and retailing the exciting
reports that were now flying thickly around; and next
morning, whether from any concert of action, or impelled by
mere curiosity, is not known, crowds began to fill the
street and yard in front of the city hospital. The discovery
of the bodies the day before had deepened the excitement,
and now a more thorough examination of the building was
proposed, and also an examination of the physicians' houses.
Matters were beginning to wear a serious aspect, and the
Governor, Mayor, Chancellor, and some of the prominent
citizens of the town, came together to consult on a course
of action. It was finally resolved to resort in a body to
the spot where the mob was assembled, and make a personal
appeal to it. They did so, and presented an imposing
appearance as they advanced up Broadway. Although
representing the State and city, they did not presume on
their authority, but attempted persuasion. Mounting the
steps, they in turn addressed the throng, which now kept
momentarily increasing, and exhorted them as law abiding
citizens to use no violence. Some made most pathetic appeals
to their feelings, their pride and self respect; indeed,
begged them, by every consideration of home and justice, to
desist, and retire peacefully to their homes. They solemnly
promised that a most thorough investigation should be made,
and they should have all the satisfaction the laws could
afford. More they ought not to ask. These appeals and
promises produced a favorable effect on many of the mob, and
they left. But the greater part refused to be pacified.
Their blood was up, and they insisted on making the
examination themselves. They did not propose to commit any
violence, but having begun their investigations they were
determined to go through with them.
The Mayor and the Governor seemed to have an unaccountable
repugnance to the use of force, and let the mob depart for
Columbia College without any resistance. The professors and
students were amazed at this sudden inundation of the crowd,
who swarmed without opposition through every part of the
building. Finding nothing to confirm their suspicions, they
left without doing any material injury. Still unsatisfied,
however, they repaired to the houses of the neighboring
physicians, and the leaders, acting as a delegation of the
crowd, went through them with the same result. It was a
singularly well behaved mob, and they received the report of
the self constituted committees with apparently perfect
satisfaction, and when they had made the round of the
houses, gradually broke up into knots and dispersed.
But the lawless spirit of a mob seldom arrests and controls
itself. Having once felt its strength and power, it is never
satisfied till it measures them against those of the legal
authorities, and yields only when it must. Hence, as a rule,
the quicker "it feels the strong hand of power" the better
for all parties. Promising legal satisfaction, to law
breakers is a very unsatisfactory proceeding. Obedience
first and discussion afterwards is the proper order to be
observed.
The Mayor had hardly time to congratulate himself on having
overcome so easily a serious difficulty, before he found
that he had not as yet touched it. In the afternoon, the
crowd again began to assemble, and this time around the
jail, with the avowed purpose of taking vengeance on the
students and physicians locked up there for safe keeping.
Having asserted and exercised, against all law, the right of
domiciliary visits, it was but a short and easy step to
assert the right to punish also contrary to law. As they
gathered in front of the jail, it was seen that a different
spirit from that which they had hitherto exhibited ruled
them. The tiger was unchained, and loud shouts and yells
were heard. "Bring out your doctors! bring out your
doctors!" arose on every side. They threatened to tear down
the building unless they were given up. The inmates became
thoroughly alarmed, and barricaded the doors and windows,
and armed themselves the best way they could for self
defence. Attempts were made to parley with the crowd, but
they would listen to nothing, and answered every appeal with
loud shouts for the doctors. What they intended to do with
them by way of punishment was not so clear, though what
their fate would have been, if once at their mercy, there
was little doubt. The city authorities now became alarmed,
murder was imminent, and having no police force sufficient
to cope with such a formidable mob, they decided that the
city was in a state of insurrection, and called out the
military. About three o'clock, the force marched up the
street, and passed quietly through the crowd, which opened
as they advanced. As they moved past, a shower of dirt and
stones followed them, accompanied with taunts, and jeers,
and mocking laughter. The whole military movement was
evidently intended only for intimidation to show the rioters
what could be done if they resorted to violence; for the
soldiers, instead of taking up their quarters, as they
should have done, in the building, having exhibited
themselves, marched away. But the mob, still retaining its
position and threatening attitude, another force, a little
later, consisting of only twelve men, was sent up. This was
worse than nothing, and as the little handful marched
solemnly up, the crowd broke out into derisive laughter, and
all sorts of contemptuous epithets were heaped upon them.
Instead of waiting for them to come near, they rushed down,
the street to meet them, and swarming like bees around them,
snatched away their muskets, and broke them to pieces on the
pavement. [Footnote: John Jay and Baron Steuben were both
wounded in trying to allay the mob.] The soldiers, disarmed,
scattered, and hustled about, were glad to escape with whole
bodies.
This first act of open resistance excited the rioters still
more they had passed the Rubicon, and were now ready for
anything, and "to the jail! to the jail!" arose in wild
yells, and the turbulent mass poured like a tumultuous sea
around the building. They rushed against the doors, and with
united shoulders and bodies endeavored to heave them from
their hinges. But being secured with heavy bolts and bars,
they resisted all their efforts. They then smashed in the
windows with stones, and attempted to force an entrance
through them; but the handful of men inside took possession
of these, and, with such weapons as they could find, beat
them back. Numbers were of no avail here, as only a few at a
time could approach a window, while those within, being on
the defensive, knocked them back as often as they attempted
to climb in. The rioters, baffled in their attempts, would
then fall back, and hurl paving stones and bricks at the
windows, when those who defended them would step one side.
But the moment the former advanced again, the latter would
crowd the windows with clubs and sticks. The enraged
assailants tore off pickets, and advancing with these, made
desperate efforts to clear the windows. But those within
knew it was a matter of life and death with them, and
stubbornly held their ground. The fight was thus kept up
till dark, amid yells and shouts and a pandemonium of
noises, and no efforts apparently were made to put an end to
it, and release the inmates of the jail. But steps had been
taken to organize and arm a large body of militia under an
experienced officer, and now in the dim starlight their
bayonets were seen gleaming, as they marched steadily
forward on the dark, heaving mass that filled the street far
as the eye could see. The rioters, however, instead of being
intimidated at the sight, sent up a yell of defiance, and
arming themselves with stones and brick bats, hurled them in
a blinding volley on the troops. So fierce was the assault,
that before the latter had time to form, many were knocked
down, and some badly wounded. The commanding officer,
finding the fight thus forced on him, gave the order in a
ringing voice, "Ready, aim, fire!" A flash broad as the
street followed, lighting up the gloom, and revealing the
scowling faces of the mob, the battered front of the jail,
and the pale faces of those guarding the windows. They had
not expected this close, point blank volley, for the timid
action of the authorities had not prepared them for it, and
they stopped in amazement and hesitation. The commanding
officer understood his business, and instead of waiting to
see if they would disperse, poured in another volley. The
rioters were confounded as they saw their comrades fall by
their side, but still stood at bay; until at last, seeing
the dead and wounded on every side, they could stand it no
longer, but broke and fled in every direction. In a few
minutes the street was clear of all but the dead and
wounded, the groans of the latter loading the night air. The
poor wretches were carried away, and the troops remained on
the spot all night. The next day the city was in a fever of
excitement. The number of killed was greatly exaggerated,
and the denunciations of the butchery, as it was called,
were fierce and loud. On almost every corner groups of
excited men were seen in angry discussion multitudes
gathered in front of the jail, and gazed with horror on the
blood stained pavement.
The soldiers who had committed the slaughter were cursed and
threatened by turns, but they quietly rested on their arms,
ready, it was evident, to repeat the experiment at the first
open act of violence. For awhile there was danger of a
general outbreak throughout the city; but the authorities
had become thoroughly aroused to the danger of the
situation, and seeing that the quicker they brought the
conflict to a close, the better, made such a display of
force, that the riotous spirit was overawed. Still, it was
not entirely subdued, and it was evident that it was kept
under by fear alone. The physicians of the city came in for
almost as large a share of the hatred as the military. They
were the original cause of the disturbance, and threats
against them became so open and general, that they were in
constant dread of personal violence, and many fled from the
city. They scattered in every direction, and there
threatened to be a general Hegira of physicians. All the
medical students were secretly stowed into carriages, and
hurried off into the country, where they remained till the
excitement died away. It did not, however, subside readily;
indeed, the danger of open revolt was so great for several
days, that the military continued to keep guard at the jail.
Great Riots of New York 1712 to 1873, Including a Full and Complete Account of the Four Days' Draft Riot of 1863