[1][2][3] Although engaging in street fighting, these gangs were generally less criminal in nature than their Five Point rivals, stopping "just short of murder",[4] instead formed as nativist vigilante groups focused on protecting Bowery neighborhoods.
[5][6] It was common for Bowery and Five Point gangs alike to imitate (and sometimes parody) actual military companies and wear signature "uniforms" (e.g. the stove pipe hats and long black frock coats of the True Blue Americans).
[8] A longtime ally of the Bowery Boys, they were referred to by journalist Carleton Beals as "Bill "the Butcher" Poole's Christopher Street thugs"[9] and often warred with the Irish American gangs of the Five Points, most especially, the Dead Rabbits.
The guests managed to hold off the mob until they were driven off by an estimated 300 Atlantic Guards and Bowery Boys.
[11] Fighting continued, however, and soon escalated into a citywide gang war lasting two days before order was restored by the New York State Militia under Major-General Charles W.