The Baltimore riot of 1861, also known as the "Pratt Street Riots" and the "Pratt Street Massacre," erupted on April 19, 1861, in Baltimore, Maryland. This civil conflict pitted antiwar "Copperhead" Democrats and other Southern/Confederate sympathizers against members of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania state militia regiments. The militia troops were en route to Washington, D.C., in response to federal service calls. The violence began at President Street Station and quickly spread to President Street and Howard Street before culminating at Camden Street Station. Tragically, this riot marked the first deaths of Union volunteers due to hostile civilian action during the American Civil War. The confrontation resulted in casualties among both the
