"anti-war Democrats and gangs"
It's tempting to say that some thing never change. But, these lynchings were the result of draft riots in Union territory, and no amount of cynical deflection or demonization of some unsympathetic "other" can erase that fact.
These were not "Unionists" who were rioting but criminal elements and fifth columnists. Many were Irishmen fresh off the boats not even citizens. See "Gangs of New York" for an interesting display of the forces at work.
Accurate description is not "cynical" deliberate misrepresentation such as you try certainly is.