THE PLUG UGLIES: Named for their 'plug' (top) hats, stuffed with leather and rags to serve as a helmet. Each Plug Ugly is at least 6ft tall and carries a brick. Members wear hobnail boots to trample their victims, and many carry pistols.
BOODLE GANG: Originally robbers who raided food wagons, these toughs aquired their own carts in which thy decended on butchers in the Centre Market, snatching meat and throwing it into their carts and racing away. They have moved on to bank messengers, knocking them down and snatching their cash satchels.
DAYBREAK BOYS: Lethal teenagers, some as young as twelve. They kill for fun and scuttle ships in the harbour.
DEAD RABBITS: Irishmen who do battle with a dead rabit on a pole as their standard. Despite their claim of being a political association supporting Irish interests, they control crime throughout the lower east side.
BOWERY BOYS: Gangsters who hold legitamate jobs, especially as firemen. They are bitterly anti-Irish. They fight the Dead Rabbits at weekends : one massive battle in1857 left several gangsters on both sides dead.
ROACH GUARD: Origanally a vigilante group protecting shopkeepers from the Dead Rabbits and the Plug Uglies. Became just another mob of extortionist brawlers.
HARTLEY MOB: Ingenious theives who use a hearse and a phony funeral procession to transport stolen goods.
GRABBER GANGS: Procurers luring girls into prostitution. Two main gangs led by Red Light Lizzie and Jane the Grabber.
GRADY GANG: Sneak theives organized by John Grady.
HOOK GANG: Waterfront pirates with a reputation for taking on vessels even when absurdly outnumbered.