How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

"To Commissioner Acton are our Citizens indebted in a large degree for the prompt and successful assaults upon the rioters, and to his judicious and energetic action for their subsequent entire defeat and dispersion." (p. 8)

Barnes, David M.
The Draft Riots in New York. July, 1863. The Metropolitan Police: Their Services During Riot Week. Their Honorable Record
New York: Baker & Godwin, 1863. First edition. Dedication copy, inscribed on front blank by the author, and presented to New York Police Superintendent Thomas C. Acton: "Hon Thos C Acton / with the esteem / & respect of his friend / David M Barnes / June. '64". 8vo. 117, (3) pp. Presentation binding of full navy blue morocco, elaborately stamped in blind and in gilt, with "Hon. Thomas C. Acton" in gilt on front board, rebacked, rubbed along extremities; all edges gilt; small loss in top corner of title-page; wear and closed tear at top of Dedication from mounted lined paper and newspaper clipping on verso; small holes at top of p. (5) from removed staple; sheets toned; scattered spotting. Blockson 2741; Sabin 3513

The unprecedented riots that engulfed New York City from July 13 to 16, 1863, were ultimately contained due to the steady command of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Thomas C. Acton. Sparked by backlash against the nation's first compulsory draft, the riots exploited deep-seated racial and class tensions, resulting in a four-day conflagration that claimed over 120 lives, injured 2,000 people, and caused millions of dollars in property damage.

In the opening hours of the unrest, rioters first targeted the outnumbered Metropolitan Police force, critically wounding Police Superintendent John A. Kennedy, before shifting their focus to viciously attack the city's Black population. In the wake of this chaos, Acton and fellow Commissioner John G. Bergen assumed control of the city's police operations. While Bergen coordinated forces in Brooklyn and Staten Island, Acton directed the troops in Manhattan, the epicenter of the most intense violence. "The labor during the first four days was immense, and some estimate of it may be formed by the fact that, in the telegraphic department alone, there were upward of four thousand dispatches received and orders sent, all of which, with but few exceptions, required the personal supervision of Mr. Acton. These, it must be remembered, were only a fraction of the many matters requiring his attention. He was not out of the office, save on official business, and then but briefly, during the first five days of the week--the duration of riot and its symptoms--and had no sleep from six o'clock Monday morning until two o'clock on Friday morning...The position of affairs was one as important and as critical as that on a field of battle; time of as much value; sagacity and decision as necessary. Upward of two thousand men under his control, constant emergencies arising in all sections of the city, immediate action required on information received...Commissioner Acton was equal to his situation, exhibiting wonderful powers of endurance, and a coolness, activity, and vigor which on every occasion led to success..." (pp. 7-8)