Civil War Background
The New York City Draft Riots of 1863 were rioting against conscription, which was called for because of the lack of volunteers in the Civil War and the heavy casualties the Union suffered, particularly after Gettysburg. As demonstrated by Robert E. Lee's letters below, people were already confused and conflicted about where their loyalties lie, and this tension led to the riots turning into an inter-city war.
"Burnside Holding the Hill at the Battle of Antietam." The Civil War. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 2010. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
"Siege of Vicksburg During Civil War." Westward Expansion. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 2010. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 30 Dec. 2013.
"When the two generals met at Appomattox Court House in Virginia in 1865, Grant allowed Lee, in a..." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History: War. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2008. U.S. History in Context. Web. 30 Dec. 2013.
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"Civilians arrived with picnics at the Battle of First Bull Run, but the battle proved unexpectedly..." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History: War. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2008. U.S. History in Context. Web. 30 Dec. 2013.
"Gettysburg. A detail from the popular 1880s cyclorama by." Dictionary of American History. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 3. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. U.S. History in Context. Web. 30 Dec. 2013.
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"Save in the defense of my native State, I never desire again to draw my sword."
-Robert E. Lee "General Robert E. Lee." Americans at War. Ed. John P. Resch. Vol. 2: 1816-1900. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. U.S. History in Context. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
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The above link takes you to two letter written by Robert E. Lee in the time before the war.
"With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up by mind to raise my hand against my relatives..."
-Robert E. Lee "Robert E. Lee. The Confederacys most important general, who lost his daring gamble to take the war..." Dictionary of American History. Ed. Stanley I. Kutler. 3rd ed. Vol. 3. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. U.S. History in Context. Web. 5 Jan. 2014.
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