On November 10th 1862 there occurred in Wisconsin one of the first draft riots in the United States.
On the morning of the 12th, the draft enrollment officer, William Pors, went to the county courthouse to begin work. A mob appeared, dragged him out, and threw him down the steps. He promptly fled and hid in the basement of the post office. The mob the marched on Pors' home and several other nearby houses, wrecking and starting small fires in them. Then the crowd paraded through town shouting, "NO DRAFT!" while looting shops (including bars and pubs) and destroying buildings. Threatened with the destruction of their own buildings, a number of townspeople were persuaded to join the battle.
A cannon used for the Fourth of July salutes was seized and loaded with the only ball in town. A defensive line was established on the water front, where the rioters prepared to take on the US army.
And the army was on it's way. Pors had raced out of town in a horse and buggy while the rioters were at his house. The army landed at Ulao, marched to Port Washington and surrounded the village from the land side. The steamer then dropped the rest of the 28th regiment at the Port Washington harbor. The cannon was quickly abandoned and the rioters fled. Many who were too busy drinking were captured and taken to Camp Randall in Madison. The entire battle lasted about 15 minutes and not a shot was fired.
A newspaper (Milwaukee Sentinel) account of the riots includes this interesting quote - "appeared to belong to a class of Germans or Belgians called Luxemburgers - not an Irishman was to be seen in the crowd." Perhaps we can guess the nationality of the author!
Even though over five hundred people took part in the riot most were let go. A total of 136 prisoners were captured and when they sobered up most regretted what they had done. They were sent to Camp Randall and held for about a month, then released. About 13 were drafted into the army and fought in the Civil War.
Among those arrested were several women who were described as being "the most bitter and vindictive spirit." Attorney Edward G. Ryan of Milwaukee volunteered to defend the prisoners and told the State Supreme Court that the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus by President Lincoln was unconstitutional. The Wisconsin judges agreed and the prisoners were freed. The decision rocked the Lincoln administration. Edward Bates, the federal attorney general, advised against an appeal fearing the case might be upheld. The issue was left alone until the March 1863 Federal Conscription Act and then the federal government took over the draft (as opposed to the state).
The main reason for the riots seems to have to do with the ability of rich men to pay someone else to serve their terms. Also the rioters were mostly of Catholic and of Luxemburg decent. The fact that Pors was Masonic and most of his fellow members were left out of the draft also caused much unrest. One also must consider the fact that many draftees were new to this country and could not afford for the head of the household to leave for six months.