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The Peterloo Massacre, 1819 A contemporary newspaper account
of the Peterloo Massacre, 1819 The adjournment of the preceding meeting, the considerable interval of
preparation which had been allowed; a vague feeling perhaps, that such
assemblages would not much longer be permitted,---all conspired to render the
concourse great beyond all former example. A little before noon on the 16th
of August, the first body of reformers began to arrive on the scene of
action, which was a piece of ground called St. Peter's Field, adjoining a
church of that name in the town of Manchester. These persons bore two
banners, surmounted with caps of liberty, and bearing the inscriptions:
"No Corn Laws," "Annual Parliaments," "Universal
Suffrage," "Vote By Ballot." Some of these flags, after being
paraded round the field, were planted in the cart on which the speakers
stood; but others remained in different parts of the crowd. Numerous large
bodies of reformers continued to arrive from the towns in the neighbourhood
of Manchester till about one o'clock, all preceded by flags, and many of them
in regular marching order, five deep. Two clubs of female reformers advanced,
one of them numbering more than 150 members, and bearing a white silk banner.
One body of reformers timed their steps to the sound of a bugle with much of
a disciplined air; another had assumed to itself the motto of the illustrious
Wallace, "God armeth the Patriot." A band
of special constables assumed a position on the field without resistance. The
congregated multitude now amounted to a number roundly computed at 80,000,
and the arrival of the hero of the day was impatiently expected. At length Mr. Hunt made his appearance, and after a rapturous
greeting, was invited to preside; he signified his assent, and mounting a scaffolding, began to harangue his admirers. He had not
proceeded far, when the appearance of the yeomanry cavalry advancing toward
the area in a brisk trot, exciting a panic in the outskirts of the meeting.
They entered the inclosure, and after pausing a
moment to recover their disordered ranks, and breathe their horses, they drew
their swords, and brandished them fiercely in the air. The multitude, by the
direction of their leaders, gave three cheers, to show that they were
undaunted by this intrusion, and the orator had just resumed his speech to
assure the people that this was only a trick to disturb the meeting, and to
exhort them to stand firm, when the cavalry dashed into the crowd, making for
the cart on which the speakers were placed. The multitude made no resistance, they fell back on all sides. The commanding officer then approaching Mr. Hunt, and brandishing his
sword, told him that he was his prisoner. Mr. Hunt, after enjoining the
people to tranquility, said, that he would readily
surrender to any civil officer on showing his warrant, and Mr. Nadin, the principal police officer, received him in
charge. Another person, named Johnson, was likewise apprehended, and a few of
the mob; some others against whom there were warrants, escaped in the crowd. A cry now arose among the military of "Have at their flags!"
and they dashed down not only those in the cart, but the others dispersed in
the field; cutting to right and left to get at them. The people began running
in all directions; and from this moment the yeomanry lost all command of
temper: numbers were trampled under the feet of men and horses; many, both
men and women, were cut down by sabers; several,
and a peace officer and a female in the number, slain on the spot. The whole
number of persons injured amounted to between three and four hundred. The
populace threw a few stones and brick bats in their retreat; but in less than
ten minutes the ground was entirely cleared of its former occupants, and
filled by various bodies of military, both horse and foot. Mr. Hunt was led
to prison, not without incurring considerable danger, and some injury on his
way from the swords of the yeomanry and the bludgeons of police officers; the
broken staves of two of his banners were carried in mock procession before
him. The magistrates directed him to be locked up in a solitary cell, and the
other prisoners were confined with the same precaution. The town was brought
into a tolerably quiet state before night, military patrols being stationed
at the end of almost every street. |