Henry O'Brien
Encyclopedia
Henry O'Brien (d. July 14, 1863) was the colonel of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
who was killed during the New York Draft Riots
in 1863. As commander of the Fire Zouaves, he rallied around 150 infantry against approaching rioters in front of Oliver's Livery Stable near the East River
. As police under Inspector Daniel C. Carpenter
began withdrawing after fighting with rioters on Second Avenue, O'Brien arrived with two companies at 34th Street and Second Avenue.
After a brief skirmish with the rioters, the mob retreated and O'Brien left his command and walked up the avenue entering a nearby drugstore. However, after a few moments, he was attacked by a group of rioters which had reorganized as he left the building. Severely beaten and mutilated by the crowd, he was kicked and hit with stones as he lay on the street. After an hour, he continued to be harassed with rioters putting a stick down his throat. Although local residents attempted to help, rioters attacked bystanders attempting to bring him food and water. He was eventually taken by rioters to his nearby home where he was tortured to death and mutilated beyond recognition. After rioters had left, his body was allowed to be transferred to Bellevue Hospital.
11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of Union Army in the early years of the American Civil War. The regiment was organized in New York City in May 1861 as a Zouave regiment, known for its unusual dress and drill style, by Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, a personal...
who was killed during the New York Draft Riots
New York Draft Riots
The New York City draft riots were violent disturbances in New York City that were the culmination of discontent with new laws passed by Congress to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War. The riots were the largest civil insurrection in American history apart from the Civil War itself...
in 1863. As commander of the Fire Zouaves, he rallied around 150 infantry against approaching rioters in front of Oliver's Livery Stable near the East River
East River
The East River is a tidal strait in New York City. It connects Upper New York Bay on its south end to Long Island Sound on its north end. It separates Long Island from the island of Manhattan and the Bronx on the North American mainland...
. As police under Inspector Daniel C. Carpenter
Daniel C. Carpenter
Daniel C. Carpenter was an American law enforcement officer and police inspector of the New York Police Department. He was one of earliest leading detectives on the police force during the mid-19th century and also had a prominent role in the Police Riot of 1857 and New York Draft Riots in 1863...
began withdrawing after fighting with rioters on Second Avenue, O'Brien arrived with two companies at 34th Street and Second Avenue.
After a brief skirmish with the rioters, the mob retreated and O'Brien left his command and walked up the avenue entering a nearby drugstore. However, after a few moments, he was attacked by a group of rioters which had reorganized as he left the building. Severely beaten and mutilated by the crowd, he was kicked and hit with stones as he lay on the street. After an hour, he continued to be harassed with rioters putting a stick down his throat. Although local residents attempted to help, rioters attacked bystanders attempting to bring him food and water. He was eventually taken by rioters to his nearby home where he was tortured to death and mutilated beyond recognition. After rioters had left, his body was allowed to be transferred to Bellevue Hospital.
External links
- AmericanMafia.com - The Draft Riots by John William Tuohy