These images capture the uncontrolled violence and terror of the draft riots. The targets of most attacks on ordinary citizens were black residents of New York. The hanged man in this engraving was William Jones, a cart man who had ventured out to buy a loaf of bread. There were white victims as well. H.T. O'Brien was an Irish American army colonel who tried to stop the rioters and was murdered by the crowd.

After the riots, the Committee of Merchants for the Relief of Colored People studied the riots and issued a report, detailing some of the worst events that had taken place.

"Abraham Franklin, living at 27th St. and 7th Ave., was a quiet, inoffensive man, 23 years of age, a member of Zion African Church in this city. Although a cripple, he earned a living as a coachman. He called upon his mother to see if anything could be done by him for her safety. [They prayed together.] Scarcely had he risen from his knees, when the mob broke down the door, seized him, beat him, and then hanged him in the presence of his mother.

"The military came and drove away the mob and cut down the body. After they left, the mob returned, again suspended the lifeless body of Franklin, and cut out pieces of his flesh."