Civil war draft riots in New York kill 1000

July 16, 1863:

Draft riots continue to rock New York City

Quote: Particularly vocal in their opposition were the Democratic Irish, who felt the war was being forced upon them by Protestant Republicans and feared that emancipation of slaves would jeopardize their jobs. Their fears were confirmed when black laborers replaced striking Irish dock workers the month before the riots.

Although avoiding military service became much more difficult, wealthier citizens could still pay a commutation fee of $300 to stay at home.

At first, the targets included local newspapers, wealthy homes, well-dressed men, and police officers, but the crowd's attention soon turned to African Americans. Several blacks were lynched, and businesses employing blacks were burned. A black orphanage was also burned, but the children escaped.

Not until July 17 was the violence contained by the arrival of Union troops, some fresh from the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. More than 1,000 people died and property damage topped $2 million. The draft was temporarily suspended, and a revised conscription began in August. As a result of the riots and the delicate political balance in the city, relatively few New Yorkers were forced to serve in the Union army.

History.com

As it turns out, it wasn't as much about the draft as it was about the screwed Irish dock workers.

It's also possible that pulling troops from Gettysburg at that critical time could have cost the close battle. .