Lieutenant James McAlpine Eyewitness Account

Lieutenant James McAlpine Eyewitness Account

  • Occupation: Lieutenant (15th Hussars)

Saw one of the Manchester Yeomanry lying on the ground, apparently senseless, near the Quaker meeting house, and a man with a small knife walking away.

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Lieutenant James McAlpine sworn: examined by Mr. Serjeant Hullock.

Q. You was a Lieutenant in the 15th. Hussars, at the time of this meeting?

A. Yes, I was.

Q. To what troop attached?

A. To Major Hancox's.

Q. When you came on the ground, you were formed on the outside of the house where the Magistrates assembled?

A. We were.

Q. How soon after that did you receive the word to advance?

A. Almost immediately.

Q. In your passage across the field, did you observe any of the Manchester Yeomanry Cavalry in any particular situation?

A. In our advance, I remarked some of them round the hustings.

Q. Were you, at any period of the day, near the Quakers' meeting-house?

A. I was.

Q. Did you see at that part of the field, any of the Yeomanry?

A. Yes, I did.

Q. Did you see any who had been dismounted?

A. I did; I saw one lying on the ground, apparently senseless.

Q. Did you observe any person on foot, walking from the spot where he was lying?

A. I observed a man walking away.

Q, Had that person who was walking, any instrument of offence?

A. He had a small knife.

Q. Was it open?

A. It was.

Q. Of what description of knife?

A. It appeared small, the blade was about three inches long, and half an inch broad, and sharp at the point.

Q. Did you see the mob collected upon and near the wall of the Quakers' meeting-house?

A. I did; but at this time they were not very numerous. It was sometime after the other part of the field was tolerably cleared.

Q. Had the resistance discontinued?

A. It appeared to me, that that was the last part where there was any resistance, for the other part of the field was cleared.

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