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Thomas Barnes Eyewitness Account
- Occupation: Soldier
Serjeant in the Manchester Yeomanry. Stationed with 15th Hussars and two squadrons of Cheshire Yeomanry at Knott Mill as cover serjeant to Captain Richard Withington. Came onto the field late, with Cheshire Yeomanry following behind.
Account
Download accountThomas Barnes sworn: examined by Mr. Serjeant Hullock.
Q. I believe you was a Serjeant in the Manchester Yeomanry, on the 16th. August, 1819?
A. Yes.
Q. Attached, to what troop?
A. Captain Withington's troop.
Q; Captain Richard Withington's?
A. Captain Richard Withington's.
Q. One of the defendants?
A. One of the defendants.
Q. Where was your troop stationed in the early part of the day?
A. We were ordered to Knott Mill to join the 15th. Hussars.
Q. Did you do so?
A. We did.
Q. Knott Mill is on the road leading to the barracks?
A. From the barracks leading to St. John's Church where we were stationed all the forenoon, near Byrom-street.
Q. Did you finally join the 15th.?
A. We did.
Q. Was the Cheshire regiment also there?
A. I believe two squadrons of the Cheshire.
Q. Where was Major Trafford— was he there?
A. He commanded one squadron in Portland-street.
Q. They were not with you any part of the forenoon?
A. Not till we came on the ground.
Q. How long did you remain at Byrom-street?
A. A considerable time; from the early part of the day, till about one o'clock.
Q. Was Captain Withington with you the whole of the time?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you remember Colonel L'Estrange getting some note?
A. No; we were on the left.
Q. When they marched away, was it with Colonel Dalrymple?
A. We followed the 15th, and the Cheshire followed us. We went with the 15th as one of their troops.
Q. They had the advance?
A. Certainly; they were in front.
Q. The next was yours, and then the Cheshire?
A. Yes; but they did not follow for several minutes.
Q. You went up close with the 15th, as one of their troop?
A. Yes.
Q. When you got on the ground, where was Major Birley’s troop?
A. We could not see them; they were among the crowd; there was a very great dust; I could only see the glittering of the swords.
Q. When you got up, did Captain Withington go with you?
A. I was his covering sergeant.
Q. When you got to the ground, was that the first time Captain Withington had been with you?
A. He never left the troop that day.
Q. After that you moved forward with the 15th?
A. Previous to our going on the ground, we went from Mosley-street, where the ground was very rough[Symbol]I was on a bank; the bank gave way, and I and my horse fell. I got up and went after Captain Withington.
Q. Was it possible for Captain Withington to have been in the crowd before you overtook him?
A. There was a momentary separation.
Mr. Justice Holroyd. Could he have been with Major Birley’s troop?
A. Certainly not; Major Birley was a long time there before him.
Mr. Serjeant Hullock. That is the case on the part of the defendants.