Collection Highlights
The Puritan
1899
1946.253
Dark brown/ black patinated bronze
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Draft wheel
Object name
Draft wheel
Date
ca. 1863
Medium
Wood, metal
Dimensions
Overall: 23 x 25 1/2 x 21 3/4 in. ( 58.4 x 64.8 x 55.2 cm )
Description
Civil War draft wheel; cylindrical drum with a rectangular, lockable hatch and an iron and wood handle, set on trestle frame with bracket feet and a turned stretcher; brass plaque on side; with 100+ cards with names of draft-eligible men.
Credit Line
Gift of Frederic C. Wagner
Object Number
1865.6
Marks
Plaque (engraved): DRAFT WHEEL/ USED JULY 13, 1863/ WITH NAMES OF RESIDENTS IN THE/ 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT N.Y. CITY/ COMPRISING THE 11TH AND 17TH WARDS/ PRESENTED BY FREDERIC C. WAGNER/ CAPTAIN AND PROVOST MARSHALL/ JUNE 20TH 1865
Description: Brass plaque on side, with inscription.
Gallery Label
This draft wheel was used in the draft lottery for the Civil War held on July 13, 1863 in the 7th Congressional District comprising the 11th and 17th Wards of New York City (the East Side below 14th St. and above Rivington St.). The draft lottery, part of the nation's first conscription act, touched off the worst urban riots in American history.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
