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  • | Newspaper

    Garrett Announces Wage Reduction

    This July 11, 1877 circular announces a wage reduction for workers on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

  • | Newspaper

    The Military Called Out

    The American reports that John King, vice-president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, requested state militia to guard the property of the railroad and quell the "riot." West Virginia Governor Henry M. Mathews in a telegraph assures King that he will do everything in his power to "suppress the riot."

  • | Newspaper

    Trouble on the Baltimore & Ohio

    This article from the July 17, 1877 edition of the Baltimore American gives an account of the strike's origins in Baltimore, its spread to Martinsburg, West Virginia, the arrival of the miltary, and a description of the demonstrations that took place.

  • | Newspaper

    Dispatches from General French and Colonel Delaplaine

    This excerpt from the July 18, 1877 edition of the Baltimore American lists several military dispatches in response to the strike, including correspondence from West Virginia Governor Henry M. Matthews asking Secretary of War George W. McCrary for assistance and tactical messages between the field commanders.

  • | Newspaper

    Governor Matthews Explains

    West Virginia Governor Henry M. Matthews replies to Secretary of War George McCrary's request for more information about the state's military strength, noting that some of the state and local militia were sympathetic to the strikers. He also claims that U.S. troops are necessary to prevent "bloodshed."

  • | Newspaper

    Governor Matthews' Letter

    West Virginia Governor Henry M. Mathews requests United States troops to quell what he called "domestic violence" and to stop the activities of what he deemed "unlawful combinations."

  • | Newspaper

    Mr. Garrett to the President: An Urgent Request for United States Troops

    On Wednesday, July 18, 1877, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad President John W. Garrett sends a message to President Hayes urging him to send United States troops to end the strike and the "open intimidation" of railroad employees who did not join the strike.

  • | Newspaper

    The President Asks for Information

    In response to West Virginia Governor Henry M. Matthews request to President Hayes for U.S. troops in the crisis, Secretary of War George W. McCrary replies by asking for details about the scale and scope of the "insurrection."

  • | Newspaper

    The President's Proclamation

    On July 18, 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes issued a proclamation calling the citizens engaged in the strike to peacefully disperse and return to their homes.

  • | Newspaper

    Federal Troops to Quell the Strike

    This article from the July 19, 1877 edition of the Baltimore American details the events that led to the Federal government sending troops to disperse the rioters.

  • | Newspaper

    A General Strike

    This article from the July 20, 1877 edition of the Baltimore American gives an account of the strike and notes the military's effectiveness at calming the mob, but the reluctance of railroad workers to return to work.

  • | Newspaper

    Determined to Fight

    This article from the July 20, 1877 edition of the Baltimore American notes the attitude of the railroad workers toward any attempted to break up the strike.

  • | Newspaper

    Governor Carroll's Proclamation

    In this July 20, 1877 proclamation, Maryland Governor John L. Carroll asks the citizens of Maryland to abstain from acts of lawlessness and assist the authorities in maintaining law and order. Carroll refers to the strike as a "conspiracy" to interfere with the business of the railroad.

  • | Newspaper

    The Strikers at Grafton

    This letter to the editor from the July 20, 1877 Baltimore American supports the strikers as having "just cause" and criticizes the government officials for overreacting and creating the crisis.

  • | Newspaper

    A General Riot

    This article from the July 21, 1877 issue of the Baltimore American describes the scene of the riot near the Sixth Maryland Regiment armory.

  • | Newspaper

    A Perilous Night—fire—riot—murder

    This editorial from the July 21, 1877 edition of the Baltimore American emphasizes the strike and violence was preventable if adequate police had been on the scene and available.

  • | Newspaper

    An Alarm Of Fire

    This article from the July 21, 1877 issue of the Baltimore American describes the mob setting fire to railroad passenger cars and an engine.

  • | Newspaper

    At The Hospital

    This article from the July 21, 1877 issue of the Baltimore American describes scenes from the hospital after the Baltimore riots.

  • | Newspaper

    Bad Temper Of The Crowd

    This article from the July 21, 1877 issue of the Baltimore American describes the attitude of the crowd during the Baltimore riots.

  • | Newspaper

    Carroll's Second Proclamation

    On July 21, 1877 Maryland Governor John L. Carroll issued a second proclamation, asking the state's citizens to maintain law and order.