July 27, 1861 (Saturday): Pay Riot In Harrisburg

Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin

                                                                        HARRISBURG, July 27, 1861.

Hon. S. CAMERON:

   The troops have no camp equipage or cooking utensils.  The town is full and Negley’s brigade on the way.  The paymasters are threatened with violence, and the people in the town much alarmed.  We have offered to take a power of attorney to Judge Pearson to draw the money and send the men from here.  The paymasters were unwilling yesterday, and are not here to-day.  We have blanks and tickets and clerks all ready, and if you say the arrangements shall be carried out, we can settle the disturbance at once.  Something must be done.  We have not force to protect the town and property here.  The money in Adams Express office is in danger.  Answer immediately.

A.    G. CURTIN,

Governor

Official Records, Series III, Vol. 1, Page 358

When the 2^nd regiment, consisting of three months volunteers, came to Harrisburg and was not immediately paid out their officers “urged them on to riot”.  A regiment of three years men had to be put into the streets to restore order.  The process was aggravated by a lack of transportation away from the city of the men who mustered out.  The process went on for several days.  Another riot occurred, owing to the same cause, in August of 1861.