The Sun.
London, England, 1820-07-29 00:00:00

THE KING V. WINTERBOTHAM AND WHITAKEK.

These prisoners were indicted lot rioting at
Oldham, and assaulting the soldiers.
Mr. Cor.TmAN.—This indictment is for a vio-
lent riot on the following day, the 25th April, in
which several soldiers who were not present on
the preceding day were violently assaulted by
many persons with bars of irons, sticks, &c.

After Mr. COLTMAN had closed the address to
the Jury, the prisoners said they wished to tra-
verse ;- but the Court refused it, as they had be-
fore made their election, and the Jury had been
sworn.

The Counsel for the prosecution stated, that he
would consent that the trial should stand-over
until the following day, but the prisoner refused
this indulgence.
Edward Connell, a private in, the 7th Dragoon Guards.
On the 25th of April went with Griffin and another soldier to
the Bull's Head, about five or six o'clock in the evening.
After they had sat. down two other. soldiers came; 'one of
them was billetted there ; Whittaker was near witness ; fie
talked about b-- butchers, and the- backs, and
wanted to know why they came. He then sung a songs
in which
.the soldiers were- called b-- butchers ; it was
called Peterloo. Witness said it was not a fit, song to be
sung in soldiers' company; and Corporal Pullett said the
same. Witness was standing up, and we said we would
leave the company. The. soldiers were preparing to leave
the company. Whittaker had a glass, and, drank, (. May
the skin of-every loyal man be tore off his back and made
into parchment for all Reformers to beat to arms! to
arms!" Witness said, we are only a few, let us leave; this
is not a proper toast for soldiers. Whittaker threw the
glass of beer into witness's face, and immediately hit him a
blow which knocked him against the clock; witness returned
the blow; some words then took place; then about twenty
or thirty men came- in, and said they were ready for us ;
some had sticks; at this time there were only four dragoons
in the house ; one foot soldier who was there, named Binning,
had gone to alarm the guard s the men were at us in every
direction ; we gathered together as well as we could; they
knocked di wts some of us; we tesisted them the best we
could; they got pokers, and tongs, and different instruments;
we had no arms ; we were not allowed to carry them ; I was
knocked down several times, and received many blows•; and
'hut for God I think I should have been killed; Gough, a sol-
dier, came to my assistance; they kicked me With their
clogs ; a table was thrown at • Gough, whiCh knocked him
down; this lasted about a quarter of an hour. The landlady
came to the door and ran hack. I was much hurt; I gave no
insolence whatever to hint before he threw the beer. Whit-
taker-went out after I had returned his blow, and returned
with the other men, and then they all began; I saw the
other prisoner constantly ',luring the fight, and saw him strike
many blows at me. None of our. party -gave any offence he-
fore they began upon us.
Examined by WhittaketHDid not throw a glass of ale at
prisoner whilstsSiln
n'fitnegr ms!- singing.
never W
laid hands on hit-
' takEexraltnoinsed strike him but once; did not pull him about ; saw
none of the party burning Whittaker's hat i did, riot zee one of

the soldiers hit prisoner before risuner bit him ; none of the
soldiers hit unless they were hit first,
John Gough, a private, was. at the p.kice ; heard WilAaker
sins; a'sone,,; some of the Words were4ibout Peterloo and
Packed butchers ; Corinell,oheof the suldkrs,got tip to leave the
company; Whittaker stood, up with a glass and a j ug,and drank
the toast aistated by for Mer witness. Connell was piiitic; away,
and Whittaker got up and threw a glass of beer in his face,.and
knocked him against the clock, There were then four or five
soldiers present; one of them. Went ant inimediately. Winter
but ham went out ; theri in two or three or four minutes he
returned with a ,great many people; some had sticks and
pokers, and one had a knife. A fight,commenced; Winter-,
botham was the first who began; he attempted to strike me.
A great many `more attacked me; I was separated from my
companions; I was knocked down by a table. When I gut
up., I laid hold of the poker. 'Going into the passage, rsaw
Connell down; five or six people were on" him., No other
spldier-.wai with him. They were beating him with
.sticks,.
and kicking hint. They attacked me. It was near half an
hour before the affray. was ended. Did not see any of th'e
Other soldieri then, as they were in the room. The first
person who came to assist me was one of the Guard. I was
not very much hurt„, Connell was much beat.
Examined by Whittaker—Did not see Connell fling any
beer, nor strive to strike prisoner, before prisouet struck.
After the affray was over, witness admits be kicked Whit-
taker out. _ _

Examined by Winterbotham—ls positive WinSerbotham
was there before the affray began, and that he was one who
struck.

Ite-examined—Had heard in the course of that day threats
by different,people against the soldiers.
William Griffin, a private, was of the party; recollects
Whittaker singing the song -of Peter/9o; and giving the dis•
loyal toast. Before the mob came in,. the front door had
been bolted ; some got in through the Windows ; tbere.were
about four or fire on: our side. When -the fight began,
nearone hundred were against us. I was employed todefend
myself; they had pieces of. iron and hammers in tlit,ir bands
usinc, them to beat me ; I was knocked down
.and hurt, by a
fire-shovel this lasted for some time until the Guard came.
Examined by the prisoners—A• bat belonging, to. one of
thetti Might'have been kicked, for any thing he knows.
William Connell, a private soldier, corroborated the;.pre-
ceding witnesses. •Ile-stated four or five people were on 'him
at once,. whobeathira•with sticks and kicked him with clogs;
he Was. kniniked down twice; four or five dragged him,into
the parlouri• they jumped 'Upon him; be should have been
killed, if the guard had n.ut.come to rescue them •saw one of
the soldiers hit on'the head with a- carving. knife, and he was
speedily.covered all over .with blood; witness -was, covered
with blood fruits his own wounds.
Examined by the- prisonerS—Recollects some one's hat
knocked off in the scuffle. ;, _

Corporal Halliday —Went .to fetch the guard.; when be
returned he ordered the -door to be opened ; it was refused—
the guard struck it with their carbines ; then it was opened;
when'he went in he saw in the kitchen,two or three soldiers
fighting with twenty town's people ; he heard a great noise
in another room, and saw a soldier down, with many people
upon him; on witness going into_the room he received a cut
on the head from a sharp instrument, and the blood flowed
instantly from it ; saw one of the prisoners therejbut cannot
say which sung the song.
Serjeant .IWAllister, of the 95th foot corroborated these
witnesses.

When our account left, Mr. Wood, a surgeon,
was called upon to prove the nature of the
wounds inflicted on the soldiers. _

REPORT
FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE STATE OE
• - LONDON BRIDGE.

The Select CoMmittee appointed to inquire into the present
State of London Bridge, and to consider if any, and what,
alterations or imprntements are necessary or proper to be
made therein, under existing circumstances, and to report
their Observations thereupon ; and to whom the several Peti-
tions, 'Which were presented to the House upon the Ist and
dth days of May last, relating to London Bridge; and the
several Ropotts made from the Select Committees, in the
Years 1799 and 1800, and 1801, on that subject, were re-
ferred •,—have inquired accordingly, and have agreed upon
the:following Report
" Your Committee have proceeded in the examination of
Evidence in support of the Petitions referred to them; from
which it appears, that much inconvenience aud.dattiage are
Occasioned to OM Craft navigating the River, frOin the'con-
struction of London Bridge; but they have nut had time to
complete their inquiry, and to report whether any or what re-
medy it may be proper to recommend: your Committee there-
fore trust,. that the House will re-appoint them early in the
next Session; when they will be able to give the subject that
full consideration, which its importance demands."—July