CHAPTER XVII.

_Reckless Slaughter at Reading._

The Fourth Pennsylvania Militia at Reading—General Frank Reeder Undertakes to Restore Order—Bold Rioters Tantalize the Citizen Soldiery—Without Orders They Fire into a Crowd of Peaceable Citizens—Thirteen Killed and Thirty-seven Wounded—Not a Rioter Hurt—A Boy Horribly Mangled—Five Police Officers Victims of the Bullets—A Lady Shot, while Engaged at her Sewing Machine—Terrible Anger of the Citizens and Rioters—Threats of the Mob—General Reeder’s Sworn Statement. 205