Draft riots began in New York City. Black citizens and institutions were attacked in the worst mob violence in American history. Irish Catholic immigrantshad been incited by reports that Republicans wanted to free the slaves and bring them north to replace Irish workers. During four days of rioting, about 120 people were killed as mobs lynched at least a dozen African American men, destroyed draft offices, and burned and looted black neighborhoods and the homes of leading Republicans and abolitionists.