The Sun. — 1862-12-16 (London, England)

DISTURBANCES A 7 CIIES7ERFIELD.  On Saturday seven men were brought up before the county magistracy, charged with riot and intimidation, at Sheepbridge, near Chesterfield, on Tuesday last. All the prisoners denied the charge, and were defended by Mr. Cutts, solicitor. The evidence of several Irishmen was taken, and according to their statement it appeared that the prisoners ordered all the Irish out of the works. They refused to go, but were forcibly driven away, and pursued for upwards of a mile. Several of them were rather severely beaten, and none have since returned to work. The timekeeper gave evidence which exculpated two of the men, and they were consequently discharged. The evidence was very contradictory, and the magistrates decided to send the remaining five prisoners for trial at the ensuing quarter sessions, on the charge of riot. Bail was accepted. The Town Council of Chesterfield have decided to swear in a large number of special constables to preserve order. The disturbances already reported were followed by others on Saturday night. About half-past 11 o'clock a large crowd collected in the market place, principally composed of English colliers. The first manifestations of feeling were loud yells and cries for the Irish to come out of their houses. The latter very wisely kept in, otherwise a most serious disturbance must have taken place, the mob being well armed with bludgeons, life preservers, and other weapons. The members of the Rifle Corps to the number of 100 were ordered to remain on duty, and to be in readiness to be sworn in as special constables. Finding that the Irish would not come out, the mob proceeded to the house of the man Flannery, who was last week set at liberty on the charge of murdering Cooper. The police, being aware of the object of the crowd, instantly made to the house, and successfully barricaded the passage so that none could get near the dwelling. Finding they were frustrated the mob proceeded to other Irish dwellin gs, and smashed the windows, breaking in the framework in some instances. The town was kept in a state of great disorder, numerous assaults being committed, until about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the mayor (who in company with several magistrates and members of the town council had remained in the streets during the greater portion of the night) addressed the mob, and ordered them to disperse. Three vociferous cheers were then given for the mayor, after which the crowd began to diminish; but it was nearly four o'clock before quiet was entirely; restored. On Sunday morning Mr. Shipton, a member of the town council, went to Derby and obtained the assistance of a detachment of 35 policemen, under Chief Constable Fox, who arrived in Chesterfield on Sunday evening. About 11 o'clock a disturbance, similar to that of Saturday night, took piece, but order was soon restored. About half-past 11, as an unoffending Englishman was walking quietly along the High-street, two Irishmen pounced upon him out of an entry and levelled him to the ground with a weapon of some description. A large crowd and a body of police were on the spot directly ; but the man, whose head bled freely, scarcely saw his assailants, and in consequence the mob was unable to find them. Whilst searching for them an Irishman ran out of a house, and was instantly pursued by the whole body of people, who soon caught him, and administered a sound castigation on the spot.  702 AL