"...People of Wisconsin! your spontaneous sacrifices for the maintenance of the Union have been great; but I feel that, to ensure a speedy termination of the war, and to protect us against foreign interference, you will voluntarily and unhesitatingly make still greater sacrifices. You will not leave your brave brothers without the assistance they call for....Soldiers are wanted to fill the regiments already in the field."
Gov. Edward Salomon, "Proclamation to the State of Wisconsin," July 8th, 1862
Gov. Edward Salomon, "Proclamation to the State of Wisconsin," July 8th, 1862
Source of FrustrationCatholics from Germany and Luxembourg lived in Wisconsin at this time. Much of the animosity that was directed to the draft stemmed from the rioters' roots. For many rioters, Wisconsin was the place for freedom and to escape conscription in Europe.
Prof. Joseph Ranney on the origins of the draft riots.
Prof. John Pauly on the newspapers during the Civil War, which influenced people and helped lead to the riots.
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Source: Library of Congress Governor Salomon's Proclamation
By the early 1862, the Union had been at war for over a year. "...By the end of October, Salomon had filled quotas for all but a few Lake Michigan counties where Roman Catholic immigrants were numerous. Catholics were reluctant to join because there was a lack of Catholic chaplains....Some German Catholics were of the opinion that the Republicans were ready to annihilate the Germans and the Irish to make room for the Negro." Salomon was forced to act and organized a draft for the laggard counties. Source: The Immigrant Experience in Wisconsin |
