Nathan Broadhurst Eyewitness Account

Testified at Lees Inquest. Saw the Yeomanry as they entered towards the hustings from Mr Buxton’s house; ‘The Cavalry cut away, some of them saying, “Damn you, I’ll reform you”‘.

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NATHAN BROADHURST called in by Mr. HARMER, sworn, and examined by the CORONER.,

Q. Were you at the meeting on the 16th of August?
A. Yes; I was upon the hustings.
Q. What did you see there?
A. I saw the Manchester Yeomanry Cavalry come up to the front of Mr. Buxton's house; they formed in a Hue; the people gave three cheers, as I understood by way of friendship. The Cavalry returned three cheers, brandishing their swords over their heads. They filed off to the left, and smartly cantered into the crowd, two trumpeters upon piebald horses leading them. One of them was a tall, thin, dark-complexioned man, whom I know; he began to cut with his sword, right and left.
Q. Do you know his name?
A. Yes; his name is Meagher.
Q. What next took place?
A. Mr. Hunt asked them what they wanted? One of the Cavalry men said he had a warrant against him. Mr. Hunt said he would submit to the civil, but not the military power. Then two constables came up; one of them was Nadin, and they took Mr. Hunt into custody, and pulled Mr. Johnson off the hustings by the legs.
Q. After Mr. Hunt was taken, did the Cavalry go off the ground?
A. No; they faced right and left about to the people, and be¬gan to cut indiscriminately on all sides.
Q. Why did not the people get away?
A. It was impossible. They could not; the mass was so solid they could not save themselves from being cut. The Cavalry cut away, some of them saying, “Damn you, I'll reform you;-— “You'll come again, will you?" One of them said, “I’ll let you know I am a soldier, today." When the ground began to be cleared a little, I began to look about for my own safety.
Q. Which way did you go?
A. I went towards the Quakers' meeting-house, but I found no way of escape there.
Q. Could you not go up Peter-street?
A. No, I could not; there were so many soldiers there; I wanted to get to Mosley-street; I looked back towards Windmill-street, and ran across the ground; I picked up a Cap of Liberty; one of the Cavalry rode after me and demanded it; I refused to give it up. Two others then came up and asked what was the matter, when the first said, this fellow won't give up this Cap of Liberty. One of the others then said, damn him, cut him down. Upon this, I ran, and giving a spring, scrambled on to the heads of the people. Whilst in this act I was cut at by several of the Cavalry, and one of them cut me slightly on the leg. The crowd was so thick, that I was borne several yards on their heads. When I came upon my feet again, I got towards a narrow opening at the end of Watson-street. I then made the best of my way to the outside, intending to go-to a surgeon to have my leg dressed, as it was bleeding very much.

Cross-examined by Mr. BARROW.

Q. Are you sure that the cheers given by the populace when the military arrived on "the ground, were in token of friendship?
A. I thought so. I joined in the cheers, and I know I did it with that feeling.
Q. Did you not say that the Cavalry returned the cheers in enmity?
A. I did not say so. I did not think so at the time, but their subsequent conduct proved it to be so. I did not at the time be¬lieve they would hurt us.
Q. What part did you take in the meeting?
A. I assisted in forming the hustings and keeping order about them; that was all my business there.
Q. Did not you shout?
A. Yes; I shouted, depend upon it.
Q. How did you get off the hustings?
A. I was kicked off.
Q. Did you not see the warrant against Mr. Hunt?
A. I saw no warrant; but the persons they came for were taken.
Q. Was you ever a soldier?
A. I have been a soldier in the army fourteen years.
Q. Do you not know that the Hussar officer has denied what you say about him?
A. I don't know which officer it was, nor do I know any thing of the denial. What I have said on that subject is a fact.
Q. Did you return to the ground again that day?
A. I did not that day. I mean the day of the massacre.
A Juror--—(to the Witness)—Did you know any of the Cavalry, whom you saw cutting at the people near the hustings?
A. I only knew Edward Meagher.
The Juror—(to the Coroner)—I think it essential that we should know the names of the soldiers who came near to the hust¬ings.
The Coroner—You are not to be the judges of that. If he had said any thing touching the death of John Lees, I should have asked him that question.

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