[2] In July 1863, a riot occurred that commenced on the first day eligible men were drafted for service in the American Civil War,[3] leading to rampant pillaging and destruction in New York City.
[5] Upon the outbreak of this riot, Warlow led police squads against ruffians at Broadway and Amity Street and was able to clear out the area.
[6] Warlow and his men marched up Nassau Street and, at Printing House Square, were met by another squad from New York City Hall under the command of Captain Thomas Woolsey Thorne.
[6] Later in the course of the riots, Warlow was instrumental in defending the Brooks Brothers clothing store, continuing to fight even after he was hit on the foot with a stone and two of his toes smashed.
However, increasingly poor health forced Warlow to resign his position on August 5, 1871, which officially took effect near the end of the month.