Red Coats, Blue Coats

Baltimore's Pratt Street Riot 4-19-1861 (LOC - LC-USZ62-132929)

[Edit April 19, 2022: The National Park Service summarizes the April 19, 1861 Pratt street riot on its Fort McHenry website.] Here’s how The New York Times reported the events from Baltimore 86 years after Battles of Lexington and Concord:

STARTLING FROM BALTIMORE.; The Northern Troops Mobbed and Fired upon The Troops Return the Fire Four Massachusetts Volunteers Killed and Several Wounded Several of the Rioters Killed.

BALTIMORE, Friday, April 19.

There was a horrible scene on Pratt-street, today. The railroad track was taken up, and the troops attempted to march through. They were attacked by a mob with bricks and stones, and were fired upon. The fire was returned. Two of the Seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania were killed and several wounded.

It is impossible to say what portion of the troops have been attacked. They bore a white flag as they marched up Pratt-street and were greeted with showers of paving-stones. The Mayor of the city went ahead of them with the police. An immense crowd blocked up the streets. The soldiers finally turned and fired on the mob. Several of the wounded have just gone up the street in carts.

At the Washington depot, an immense crowd assembled. The rioters attacked the soldiers, who fired into the mob. Several were wounded, and some fatally. It is said that four of the military and four rioters are killed. The city is in great excitement. Martial law has been proclaimed. The military are rushing to the armories.

Civil war has commenced. The railroad track is said to be torn up outside of the city. Parties threaten to destroy the Pratt-street bridge.

As the troops passed along Pratt-street a perfect shower of paving stones rained on their heads.

The cars have left for Washington, and were stoned as they left.

It was the Seventh Regiment of Massachusetts which broke through the mob. Three of the mob are known to be dead and three soldiers. Many were wounded. Stores are closing, and the military rapidly forming. The Minute Men are turning out.

Fighting against coercion (Currier and Ives LOC - LC-USZC4-1736)

BALTIMORE, Friday, April 19 — 2:30 P.M.

Affairs are getting serious. Before all the cars got through, great crowds assembled at various points and commenced obstructing the road.

Reports are now arriving that the mob are tearing up the track.

It is understood the principal portion of the troops have got through.

BALTIMORE, Friday, April 19 — 4 P.M.

A town meeting has been called for 4 o’clock.

It is said there have been 12 lives lost.

Several are mortally wounded.

Governor Thomas Holliday Hicks (LOC - LC-DIG-cwpbh-02372)

Parties of men half frantic are roaming the streets armed with guns, pistols and muskets.

The stores are closed.

Business is suspended.

A general state of dread prevails.

Parties a short time ago rushed into the telegraph office, armed with hatchets, and cut the wires. Not much damage was done.

BALTIMORE, April 19 — 9 P.M.

R.W. DAVIS, of the firm of PEGRAM, PAYNTER & DAVIS, was shot dead during the riot, near Camden Station.

It is reported that the Philadelphians are now at the outer depot.

The President of the Road has ordered the train back, at the urgent request of the Mayor and Governor. They are already off.

The citizens who were mortally wounded are, JOHN MCCAN, P. GRIFFIN and G. NEEDHAM.

Four of the Massachusetts troops were killed and several wounded, but it is impossible to learn their names.

As far as ascertained, only two of the Massachusetts soldiers were killed, belonging to Company C. Their bodies are now at the Police Station.

At the same Station are the following wounded:

Sergeant AMES, of the Lowell City Guard, wounded in the head, slightly.

Private COLUM, of the same place, shot in the head, not serious.

Private MICHAEL GREEN, of Lawrence, Mass., wounded in the head, by stones.

H.W. DANFORTH, Company C, Sixth Regiment, of Massachusetts, slightly wounded.

News Received in Cumberland. MD 4-20-1861 (stereo shot LOC - LC-DIG-stereo-1s01492)

So far as known at present, seven citizens were killed, including Mr. DAVIS, before mentioned, and JAMES CLARK.

Half a dozen or so are seriously wounded, though it is believed not fatally.

Comparative quiet now prevails. The military are underarms, and the police are out in full force.

There is a large mass meeting here to-night, addressed by the Mayor. The Governor was present.

Commemorating 4-19-1775