Complex sentence: The Reform Party alerted to the rebellion sent the Honolulu Rifles under the command of Colonel Ashford and three cannons to suppress this revolt, they took up positions in nearby buildings, notably an Opera house and fired on the rebels.
Split into simpler sentences: The Reform Party alerted to the rebellion sent the Honolulu Rifles under the command of Colonel Ashford and three cannons to suppress this revolt. The Rifles took up positions in nearby buildings, notably the Opera House and fired on the rebels.