"...At this there was a rush forward. Many of them were armed with clubs, many had huge stones in their hands, and others had various implements. The first thing done was to demolish the draft box with a club, then they seized hold of Mr. Pors, or rather trampled upon him."
The Milwaukee Wisconsin, November 12th, 1862
The Milwaukee Wisconsin, November 12th, 1862
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The second drafting notice for Port Washington. Source: UW-Madison |
The BuildupOn the morning on November 10th, 1862, there was barely concealed animosity in the township of Port Washington. Governor Salomon had called for a draft of eligible men in Ozaukee County and many people were angered.
The draft was set for the early afternoon. However, several hours before, a mob assembled. The mob chanted and waved signs that said, "No Draft," and various other things. The ringleaders were Nicholas Kemp and John Druecker. The draft commissioner, William A. Pors, was not fazed by this. "Mr. Pors then spoke in a mild manner, requesting them to stand back a little and they could all see that the draft was being conducted properly." The Milwaukee Wisconsin, November 12th, 1862 |
The RiotWith these words, there was a rush forward. William Pors found himself being attacked by a mob of Luxembourger and German immigrants. They destroyed the draft box and threw stones at him. Some people were on his side. There were several cries heard, including those of "Run, run."
"At this he started towards the post office, and on his way a shower of stones were thrown at him....He soon reached the post office, and was admitted inside, and Mr. Pors was sent down cellar." The Milwaukee Wisconsin, November 12th, 1862. The rioters banged on the shutters, but the clerk would not let them in. The clerk swore that Pors was not inside, and Pors actually thought that his hour had come. However, the clerk unlocked the back door and Pors raced outside. He located someone with a buggy, and they drove towards Milwaukee. |
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This is what William Pors's house would have looked like before the destruction.
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The Destruction
With the draft stopped and Pors gone, the mob looked for other things to vent their anger on. The mob went to Pors's house and ruined it, damaging as much as they could. However,"The rioters do not seem to have had any view to theft. Even silver spoons, after being bent and disfigured, were thrown down." The Ozaukee Riots, the Madison Journal, November 15th.
The rioters did a good deal of damage to other places as well. The homes of several prominent figures in Port Washington were also damaged. The rioters targeted primarily Republicans and Masons, whom they regarded as the upper class. The rioters continued their work well into the night, damaging houses and causing destruction.
The rioters did a good deal of damage to other places as well. The homes of several prominent figures in Port Washington were also damaged. The rioters targeted primarily Republicans and Masons, whom they regarded as the upper class. The rioters continued their work well into the night, damaging houses and causing destruction.
Prof. Joseph Ranney on the subject of the Port Washington Draft Riot.