The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-06-13 00:00:00

COURTS fitARTIAL AT MANCEIRSTER

- By directions from Major-General Sir William Warre, the
investigations into the conduct of the non-commissioned °di-
cers and soldiers of the 15th Regiment, charged with having
been concerned in the recent military outrage at Manchester,
commenced on Saturday week, when a District Court Martial
was held at the Regent-road Barracks, before Lieutenant-
Colonel Campbell, of the 16th Regiment, and other officers.
Serjeant James Taylor was arraigned " for highly improper
conduct, on or about the 23d May, 1843, when aware that a
riot and disturbance, connected with an affray which had
taken place the previous night between some soldiers of the
15th Regiment and the police, was intended to be renewed by
some soldiers of the 15th Regiment, and not communicating
the circumstance to his superior officers, although warned by
Mr. Walker, turnkey at the New Bailey, that he ought to do
so ; such conduct being greatly unbecoming the conduct of a
non-commissioned officer, and subversive of discipline and
good order." The prisoner pleaded Not guilty.
It appeared, from the testimony of Charles Walker, the
turnkey at the New Bailey, and of William Diggles, his as-
sistant, that, on the day following the disturbance, the ac-
cused went to Walker to pay the fines awarded by the ma-
gistrates against four privates of the 15th Regiment. In the
course of conversation, he stated. that another row was forth-
coming that night, as the grenadiers had turned out to a man.
Walker told him that the superior officers ought to be in-
formed.

The accused denied the charge, and said the witnesses had
worn falsely. It appeared that the prisoner bore a good
character in his regiment.

The court was cleared several times while the officers of
the court deliberated. On the last occasion it was stated,
that it would be unnecessary for the reporters to return, as
it was near four o'clock, beyond which hour the court had
no power to sit ; and that the judgment of the court would
not be allowed to transpire until it had been approved by the
General.

It is known, however, that the court martial found the
prisoner guilty, and sentenced him to ten days' solitary con-
finement, and to be reduced to the ranks.

On Monday last a District Court Martial was held at the
Regent-road Barracks, to try Serjeant Lawrence Nolan, of
the 15th Regiment, on various charges of misconduct during
the recent collision between the soldiers and the police.
ThP evidence in support of the charge went to show, that
the prisoner had prevaricated in the account which he gave
at the barracks of certain circumstances which occurred o❑
the night of the 23d ; had wilfully misstated some other cir-
cumstances; had designedly neglected to report to the Co-
lour-Serjeant some of the particulars alleged against privates
Webb and Rooney, then in custody ; and had neglected to
report to the officer of the picquet that private Boson was in
confinement.

The prisoner, in his defence, called witnesses, one of whom
stated that he heard the prisoner report Webb and Rooney
to Colour-Serjeant Abbott. The court adjourned at four
o'clock.

The case was resumed on Tuesday. The prisoner had a
good character given by the captain of his company. The
court was cleared as before, and several deliberations took
place.
Private James Rooney, of the 15th regiment, was arraigned
on the following charges :—" Ist. For having been absent
from tattoo on the night of the 23d May, and not returning
until brought back by an escort the same night. 2d. For
having, on or about half-past twelve o'clock on the morning
of the 24th of May, when a prisoner with an escort of the
regiment, struck police-inspector M'llugh with his fists.
3d. For having, when a prisoner at the time stated in the
second charge, made his escape from the escort." The pri-
soner pleaded Not guilty.
The evidence went simply to the proof of the above
charges. The prisoner had been before convicted of insu-
bordination.

Private Webb, of the same regiment, was arranged on
charges similar to the above, which were proved by a recapi-
tulation of the same testimony.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday the inquiries were
continued. Private James Pollock, of the 15th Regiment,
was tried on a charge of having used threatening language to-
wards the police ; Private William Thorp, of the 15th, on
charge of having, while under arms as one of the escort sent
to quell an affray, attempted to assault Police Constable Mo-
ran, who had claimed the protection of that escort; and Pri-
vate Dennis Tracey, of the 15th, on charge of having
threatened the police.

The decisions of the court, except in the case of Serjeant
Taylor, had not, up to Saturday, been submitted to the Gene-
ral of the district. The Manchester Guardian expresses a
belief, however, that Webb has been acquitted, he having
been previously confined on the same charge. Some charges,
it is said, have bee❑ preferred against several privates of the
16th Regiment, for using threatening language to the police
subsequently to the riot, and a second cont martial has been
sitting to investigate the matter. Nlajor-General Sir William
Warre was at the barracks on Friday, investigating in person
some circumstances connected with the liberation of soldiers
apprehended on the 23d ult. We understand that in conse-
quence of the misconduct of the soldiers of the 16th Regi-
ment to the police they have been ordered to return to the
barrack in the evening at eight instead of nine o'clock, and,
indeed, it is said that all the troops now in the Re:zeut-road
barrack, consisting of portions or detachments of the Bth,
15th, and 16th Regiments, have been required to conform to
this regulation.