The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-09-14 00:00:00

AFFRAY AT CHIPPENHAM.

TWO MEN KILLED! THIRTY-ONE MEN, WOMEN,
AND CHILDREN WOUNDED!
[Frees the "Devizes Gazette]

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Scenes Noel is atrocity to the ono we ore about
to describe may have taken place during the late
commenting in Ireland, hut we believe it to be
nearly unparalleled in English record.
At the last KingtonsLangley revel, which took
place several weeks ago, some offence, it appears, was
taken by • few individuals at Langley at the con-
duct of some young men of Chipperrharm ; since
which time a desire for revenge has been brooding,
and during many a Saturday night there has been
slight skirmishes at Chippenham between a few of
the parties. It was resolved, however. by the Lang-
ley people, that the grand attempt should be made
on Saturday evening last, when a snort barbarous
and blood-thirsty conflict took place. For this
purpose, it is supposed that thirty or forty men
must have assembled during the evening—many,
it is conjectured, even hired for the occasion! At
about trine o'clock • poor fellow fell down in
• fit near the Bear lon ; several of the wretches
here endeavoured to excite confusion, but• uo
collision took place ; they did not go far enough
to provoke a quarrel ; it was too early per-
haps fur their diabolical scheme. At about
half-past ten, however, they commenced in an ob-
scure part of the town, called Timber-street, where.
armed with bludgeons, they spared neither man,
woman, nor child ! but indiscriminately attacked all
who came in their way. The cry of Murder!
' called y from their beds, who, 011 coming out
and inquiring what was the matter, were immedi-
ately knocked down, beaten with sticks. and
trampled upon. The alarm becoming extended,
and larger numbers arriving, the assailants retreated
to the lower part of the town. By this time, Mr.
Moore, of the Duke of Cumberland (the respect-
able high constable), arrived, with a view to appease
the strife, but. belore he could well speak, he was
felled to the ground, must unmercifully beat, and
soon after Wiled home senseless ; one eye was nearly
knocked out, and his body dreadfully cut and
bruised. He now lies iu • very distressing state,
though free from danger. His brother was also
I times knocked down, but received tin seri-
ous injury.. Mr. Hull, saddler, was called from his
bed by the horrid cries of murder ! which now pio-
ceeded Irons all parts; and, without waiting to
put on his stockings or his hat, he hastened almost
naked, to render, as he thought, • fellow-creature
assistance; but, poor matt, little dud he expect
to what lie was doomed ! Within an hour and
a half after he went out, lie was found near the
Ivy-house in a most deplorable state, bleeding to
death ! scarcely aq inch of his head free from cut
or bruise. He was taken home, and expired wilillll
four hours. His remains were yesterday inteired
in the chinch-yard at Chippertham. Miss Waste-
field, who keeps • lathes' boarding school near
the bridge, hearing a great noise. opened her
bedroom window to ascertain the cause, when •
large stone was immediately thrown at her, and she
was knocked backwards. Mr. Reynolds, u brazier,
was earned home soon slier twelve, bruised front
head to foot. He was heard praying most piteously
for his life. " Don't kill me! don't kill me, Mount-
joy ! (he said) rod I'll give thee • guiuea ;" but no
mercy wits shown him—he died ou Tuesday even-
ing. Unfortunately he was insensible from the
tunic lie was wounded to the moment of his death,
so that his deposttiou, which might have been im-
portaut, could not be takes. The wife of Pound,
use carrier iu Tauber-street, where the heads com-