Letter of Joshua Fiero to James Fry
Author: United States. War Dept.
Title: The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (1880 - 1901)
Other Title: Official records of the Union and Confederate armies
Publisher: Government Printing Office
Place of Publication: Washington
Location: Series 3, Volume 3, Page 490
Copied from: Cornell University's MoA Multivolume Monographs, The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (1880 - 1901)
Col. JAMES B. FRY
Provost-Marshal-General:
SIR: I desire to submit the following facts in relation to this district:
During the progress of the enrollment the enrolling officer was obstructed in the performance of his duties at various times in the village of Rondout, also in the west part of this town, both localities largely settled by the Irish people. This resistance was mostly made by the Irish women. But for this I should have arrested the parties engaged in this disturbance.
I called upon the Catholic priest, who assured me that all he could do to restore order should be done. After this better order prevailed. By careful management and stratagem we succeeded in making the enrollment. I had hoped that order would prevail.
I am creditably informed this morning that a large meeting was held at Rondout last evening, mostly made up of the Irish. At that meeting resolutions were adopted to resist the draft at all and any hazard, and today men are seen at various places in small groups making threats of resistance, &c. Rondout is one mile and a half from these headquarters.
I have consulted with General Samson, the only military officer in this district. He has no military at his command save one horse company, and that is wholly made up of Germans.
I submit these facts to you for your consideration. I desire that the business in this district should be done decently and in order. Again, we have no arms in this district and are wholly unprotected except my deputy and two special officers.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Col. JAMES B. FRY
Provost-Marshal-General:
Still later. I have just been called upon by many of the most prominent men in this village, who are of the opinion that it will require a force of 500 armed men to protect this office if the draft takes place.
At Saugerties, twelve miles from this place, a meeting was held last night attended by some 300 persons, mostly Irish, who hurrahed for Jeff. Davis and Lee, and voted to resist the draft and visit this place this week on Thursday, supposing the draft to take place at that time. At Rondout the meeting hurrahed for Jeff. Davis and Lee.
Colonel Bell, who is living in this county, "is on sick-list," is now in my office. He says there is not a musket or a gun of any kind in this district that is available.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
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