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By the end of the Thursday
over four thousand federal troops had arrived from the battlefield
at Gettysburg to occupy the city and quell the rioters. The increased
military presence allowed the reopening of streetcar and stage service,
although sporadic outbreaks of violence continued. Governor Seymour
remained a presence in the city, and General Brown and Commissioner
Acton continued to direct police and army regiments.
The
14th New York Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Thaddeus Mott probed
the streets for rioters throughout Thursday. While marching on 22nd
St. between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, the regiment was attacked by rioters
and forced to retreat. Sergeant Charles Davids was knocked off of
his horse and beaten to death. A group of federal infantrymen under
the command of Captain Putnam was sent to recover Davids's body.
As the infantrymen were loading the body onto a cart, rioters again
attacked the troops. This time the troops fought back, and drove
the rioters uptown to 31st Street, where they took refuge in fortified
houses. As the battle raged, troops stormed into houses and took
several of the rioters prisoner. Putnam and his men returned to
police headquarters, having won what turned out to be the final
battle of the week.
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