Editing Bowery Boys

{{Era|Organizations}}{{WP-REAL|Bowery Boys (gang)}}
{{Faction Infobox
|image = Wiki noimage.jpg
|founder = *{{Wiki|Michael Walsh (New York politician)|Michael Walsh}}
*{{Wiki|William Poole|William "Bill the Butcher" Poole}}
|locations = [[New York City]], [[New York]], [[United States]]
|religion = {{Wiki|Protestantism|Protestant}}
|active = 1830s-1860s
}}
The '''Bowery Boys''', were a {{Wiki|Nativism (politics)|nativist}}, {{Wiki|Anti-Catholicism|anti-Catholic}} and {{Wiki|Anti-Irish sentiment|anti-Irish}} [[gang]] based in [[New York City]] during the early-mid-19th century, and were primarily composed of volunteer firemen who often clashed with rival fire companies and feuded with the notorious Five Points gangs. Despite their reputation, many Bowery Boys led law-abiding lives, and their distinctive attire paid homage to their roots as firemen.

==History==
===Early formation===
Emerging during a period of urban growth and {{Wiki|Antebellum South|social upheaval}}, the Bowery Boys were founded in the 1830s, by the [[New York]] politician {{Wiki|Michael Walsh (New York politician)|Michael Walsh}} and former Washington Street Gang-leader {{Wiki|William Poole|William "Bill the Butcher" Poole}}.<ref name="WP">{{WP|Bowery Boys (gang)}}</ref>

===New York draft riots===
In July 1863, during the [[New York City draft riots]], a violent upheaval sparked by discontent over conscription during the American Civil War, the gang were initially held back from joining in the riots by one of their leaders, [[William Varley|William "Reddy the Blacksmith" Varley]], under the advisement of the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Varius]].<ref name="ACLD Ch12">''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants]]'' – Chapter 12</ref> The gang had also been approached by the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Grand Master]] [[William M. Tweed]], though his offer was quickly rejected,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants]]'' – Prologue</ref> especially due to his involvement with [[Tammany Hall]].<ref name="WP"/> Eventually however, many members of the gang disobeyed Varley and allied with the Five Points gang to stop the riots.<ref name="ACLD Ch12"/> Though in the chaos, they also participated in some minor looting.<ref name="WP"/>

===Disbandment of the gang===
By the end of the decade, the Bowery Boys had split up into multiple different factions, leading to the main gang's eventual disbandment. Several social and economic shifts also led to this, including the professionalization of firefighting services, and the changing demographics of their home turf.<ref name="WP"/>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACLD}}
[[Category:Gangs]]
[[Category:Assassin allies]]