The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-13 00:00:00

AFFRAY BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND

POLICE IN EDINBURGH.

(Freon the &somas.)
The annual gymnastic games came off on Thurs-
day in Belleitis, Park, Uulyrood, and the day being
favourable, a large number of spectators, amounting to
probably ten or twelve thousand, aseembled to witness the
various sports. The different prises were well contested,
and the whole proceedings would have poised off in a very
orderly and creditable manner but for • rather serious
affray, quite secidental in its origin, which took place be-
tween the police and a party of the 4th Regiment now in
the Castle. About four o'clock a steeple race was to be
run, the distance being from &Seale Perk up to the hill
behind St. Anthony's Chapel, and back again. The
spectators who had previously crowded round a chain
which was drawn around the park so as to form a large
circle in which the various games proceeded, now drew
off in lines to watch this race; and, at its conclusion, a
great press took place in the direction of the point
at which the competitors arrived. In running along to
get to this point a little boy, named Sinclair, son of Mr.
Sinclair, South-bridge, happened to jostle a gentleman who
was standing on the outskirts of the crowd, and who after-
Wart.• turned out to be an officer of the 4th regiment in
the dress of a civilian. In the heat of the moment, the
officer—Lieutenant Roberts—turned round and struck the
boy with a mac • bat the blow, probably falling with
greater force than 'had been intended, produced a cut on
the head, from which the blood Bowed. Seeing this, the
bystanders insisted that the police should take the gentle-
man into custody. A sergeant and two policemen accord-
ingly apprehended him, and were conveying him off the
ground, when same of the soldiers of the 4th Regiment,
who were present among the spectators, recognising their
officer, rushed forward to rescue him. The police
maintained their hold, and a severe struggle ensued.
Several of the sergeants of the 4th endeavoured
to persuade the men to desist from their attempt, and
the officer himself, we understand, did the same, but their
efforts were fruitless, and many other soldiers joining their
comrades a regular tight took place with the police. It is
difficult to gay how many were engaged In it, as the com-
batants were divided into groups—in some of which one or
two policemen had to encounter eight or ten soldiers. The
latter were fortunately without their aids-arms, but they
used their heavy leather belts, and sticks, which were sup-
plied by their comrades, and also by some of the lowest
characters in the crowd ; none, however, except soldiers,
took part in the fight. Superintendent Linton, Lieutenant
hi'Ltllan, and others, were on the ground, but it was some
time before they ascertained what was going on ia con-
sequence of the immense crowd. Colonel Trevor, also,
the commanding officer of the regiment, fortunately
hal pcned to be present; and but for this circum-
stance the disturbance would in all likelihood have
ended far morn seriously than it did. Ho ordered
the bugles to sound as a call to the men, and in a short time
all of them obeyed the summons, and were marched off to
the Castle. The band and about 2d men with side-arms,
who were assisting the police tojpreserve older at the games,
but who took no part in the fight, were also withdrawn.
The whole affair did cot last much more than five minutes.
None of the solsliess, so far as is known, are injured, and
this may be accounted for by the fact that they used belts
and sticks, while the police had only their short baton,. The
police have not been so fortunate; six of them have been
wounded, two or three rather seriously, their heads having
been dreadfully cut. We are glad, however, to state,
that dangerous results are not anticipated in any of the
Meg.

Five soldiers were apprehended on Thursday—three
privates and two lance-corporate. Two of these
were taken into custody in the Park, the others
were afterwards found in the High-street, and,
being recognised as engaged in the affray, they
were at once captured. these men—Joha Witheyand
Charles Whitbread, lance-corporals, and Charles Walsh,
William Butler, and James Connor, privates were
brought before Sheriff Ansley yesterday at the Police
Court, charged with assault on officers in the execution of
duty, by striking them with belts, sticks, and other
weapons, and knocking them down and kicking them—all
to the effusion of blood ; also with attempting to rescue a
prisoner whom the police had in custody. They were at
once remitted to the Sheriff Court.

Yesterday afternoon the police officers visited the Cutle,
and identified other ten privates as having been engaged
in the disturbance. They were accordingly removed to the
Police-office ; but on investigation it was found that the
evidence affected only three of them, whereupon the other
seven wore liberated.

Two or three of those who are inspected to be the
ringleader, in the affray are believed to have escaped
over the bill, and they have not yet made their appeuemee
at the Castle.

Some apprehensior. was entertained lest the disturbance
should have been renewed last evening, but we are glad
to say that everything passed off quietly.
The officer who was unintentionally the cause of the
whole affair gay. himself into custody at the Police-office
ou Thursday, but he was released on parole. Yesterday
the charge against him—that of striking the boy—was also
remitte to the sheriff.