England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Great Britain -- History -- William IV, 1830-1837
ground, with a red border; 'Holy Alliance of the Working
Classes;' 'Equal Rights and Equal Justice;' a Tricoloured flag;
the republican flag of America; and a pole with the cap of
Liberty.
"They had scarcely got upon the ground, before a detachment of
the A division (supported by some other divisions) marched into
Calthorpe Street with the greatest order and precision. Their
promptitude and formidable appearance seemed to make a momentary
impression on the mob, but a person, pointing to the banner of
'Liberty or death,' shouted, 'Men, be firm!' This was sufficient
to rouse their feelings; they called out, 'Down with them;
Liberty or death!' and appeared determined to resist to the
utmost. 'Go on, go on!' resounded from all sides to the speaker.
"The division of police had halted in the middle of the street,
and received renewed orders to act calmly and with forbearance.
They then walked forward, with their staves in their hands,
clearing their way through the observers who had been attracted
to the spot, and pressed forward directly to the man who still
continued to address the mob. The police were instantly attacked
by the mob. The conflict was but of a minute's duration, and the
sound of the blows, and the shrieks of the women who had obtruded
themselves into danger were loud. When a clearance was effected,
at least twenty men were prostrate on the ground, with blood
streaming from their heads. Sergeant Harrison, of the D division,
was the first who seized a banner, but received a violent blow on
the arm. Robert Cully, C 95, and his brother, made up to another,
when Cully received a wound in the abdomen from a stilletto, and
instantly expired. Sergeant Brooks was also wounded, besides
several others who received blows. The people rallied in the open
space by the prison, and made a vigorous attack on the police,
which was instantly and effectually repelled, though not till
they had attempted to rescue the banner of 'Liberty or death.'
The police were therefore formed into lines, extending across the
different streets, for a quarter of a mile round the place, and
every party of three or four persons was instantly ordered to
'Move on.' In Gray's Inn Lane, on the N division clearing the
place, one man took a stone to fling at the policeman who was
ordering him off, but his arm was arrested by another policeman.
A united shout of 'Stone the ---- ----!' arose, and there was an
immediate rush of the populace into the middle of the road, where
there were fresh laid granite stones; but a movement of the whole
division, and the capture of the ringleaders, arrested the
further progress of the mob. By four o'clock, everything was
tranquil, and a number of prisoners had been arrested.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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