New York in the American Civil War of the worst incidents of civil unrest in American history. The week of July 11 to July 16, 1863, was known at the time as "Draft Week". Many citizens were upset with new laws passed by Congress to draft men to fight in the unpopular war. The ensuing disturbances were the largest civil insurrection in American history apart from the Civil War. President Lincoln sent several regiments of militia and volunteer troops to control the city. The rioters numbered in the thousands and were mainly Irish Americans. Smaller-scale riots erupted in other cities throughout the North, including in other places
Conclusion of the American Civil War the American Civil War. "Shenandoah" had so far captured and burned eleven ships of the American whaling fleet while in Arctic waters. Waddell finally learned of Lee's surrender on June 27 when the captain of the prize "Susan & Abigail" produced a newspaper from San Francisco. The same paper contained Confederate President Jefferson Davis's proclamation that the "war would be carried on with re-newed vigor". "Shenandoah" proceeded to capture a further ten whalers in the following seven hours. Wadell then steered "Shenandoah" south, intending to raid the port of San Francisco which he believed to be poorly defended. En route