A FULL AND

PARTICULAR ACCOUNT

 

OF THE

 

Dreadful Riot!

 

Which took Place at NEWPORT, Monmouthshire

 

On Monday, November 4th, 1839

 

Whereby Twenty Lives were Lost, and above Fifty Wounded

 

Many of which is thought Dangeroust appears that the Chartists, at Newport, Merthyr, Abergavenny and the adjoining neighbourhoods at previously concerted a plan of assembling together at Newport, as those already there had ordered the Merthyr Chartists to come to Newport to join them armed: the plan was– they first intended disarming the soldiers, as only 40 remained at Newport, to go, then with those in strong body to Monmouth accordingly on Monday, November 4th.

As early as 7 o’clock in the morning they at Newport began to assemble together intending to put these plans in to execution in defence of the Law.

About 7 o’clock a considerable mob was assembling together in Commercial Street. The soldiers and magistrates were at the Westgate Inn and the Chartists collected in a great body in front of the House when the Mayor came to read the Riot act and desire the Chartists to disperse, but to no effect, they were immediately dreadfully assaulted pelted, and even fired at by the Chartists and the Inn threatened to be demolished which threat they afterwards fulfilled, leaving the house in complete ruins, when the magistrate ordered the Detachment of Ten of the soldiers to fire upon the mob, but to fire over them which they did: Ten fired at a time, three times during which time the Chartists continued firing at the soldiers, the magistrates &c whereby many were Killed and Wounded, among others two of the Soldiers were dangerously wounded.

Consequently, the soldiers were ordered to fire actually at the mob with ball cartridge which they did for several rounds and attachments of 10 of the time until the streets were cleared. About 20 were killed, and about 50 wounded after which the melancholy appearance of the streets cannot be well conceived. Persons, carrying away the killed and wounded and quantities of blood remaining in the streets, presenting a picture of desolation, and one truly heart rending

 

 Further account:– Tuesday evening, the towns seem still, and peaceable, excepting a great talk about the killed, wounded and unfortunate desperate transaction. Some of the ringleaders are apprehended. The mayor was reading the riot act the Riot Act at the Inn Window, when a Chartists fired at him and wounded his shoulder and wrist.