NEW YORK CITY DRAFT RIOTS A.L.S. by George Leacole, 3pp. 8vo., New York, Aug. 3, [18]63 describing the recent and devastating draft riots that rocked New York City in July to a friend, apparently a Union soldier stationed in New Orleans. In part: "...New York is all excited now about the draft we expect there is trouble ahead we have had the tallest kind of a riot in this City, houses and private property burnt, plundered smashed up and destroyed to the amount of more than a million of dollars. The mob for four days had possession of the City and did pretty much as they damn'd please[d]. Killed niggers hung them to the lamp posts, robbed white folks or any other man who ran in their way. I tell you it was a bully time for old New York City. The fire bells were ringing general alarms all the time, Brooklyn was very quiet, with the exception of running down niggers and breaking the windows of nigger dwellings - all the militia regiments was away at the time and the police was not a match for the mobs. It is expected the draft will be carried out this week for there is plenty of troops arrived and some parks of artillery to protect the City...". Leacole then discusses friends, the oppressive heat and that "...there are 3000 Sick & wounded Rebels on David's Island many of which they say, although dying shout out for 3 cheers for Jeff Davis...". Partial separation at left vertical fold, light toning, else very good.