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[6] it from the balcony of the City Hall. This manifestation of a yielding spirit brings him plaudits, but disarms neither the assassins nor the pillagers. Indignant at so many excesses, he decides to proclaim martial law—a vain proclamation, for the power is wanting to enforce it. Happily, more efficient measures are going to be resorted to. The regulars and a certain number of volunteers, well organized, form into a body of about five hundred men—too weak to repress a city of one million inhabitants, but which, skilfully employed by General Brown to keep open certain thoroughfares, prevents the rioters from finally taking possession of the whole city. One of the volunteers, Colonel H. J. O'Brien, is massacred, but there is no delay in avenging him. The regulars from Fort La Fayette, although only one hundred and fifty strong, having encountered a mob that opposed them, respond to a volley of stones with a fire by platoons which strews the street with dead and wounded. This vigorous act is imitated by other detachments, and promptly cools the ardor of the rioters. The soldiers take advantage of this to concentrate, and then to attack them in the very heart of the city. Four barricades erected between Twenty-ninth and Thirty-fifth streets are carried by assault. Night comes on, and the news of the approach of the regiments recalled from Harrisburg adds to the feeling of discouragement among the rioters. On the 15th, as early as daybreak, calls for assistance are addressed from all parts to the various officials who, with little co-operation, have undertaken to pacify the city. The small detachments which they can dispose of are sent in different directions. Instead of profiting by this dispersion of the soldiers, the weary rioters seem inclined to scatter also. In the evening, after another day of violent acts, there remain in the streets only a few groups of plunderers, who before the arrival of the police are seeking to make the best of their absence. On the ensuing day order is restored. Only one band is still tramping through certain outlying quarters of the town, but a few squads of soldiers are sufficient to disperse it. Among the military there were about ten killed and eighty wounded. The dead among the rioters and the victims of the riot exceeded four hundred and fifty. In place of General Wool, Mr.
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