15th September 1812: General Acland receives a report of Luddite activity near Rastrick, West Yorkshire

Sir

On Sunday evening about ½ past 10 Oclock, a Gun was fired in the neighbourhood of Rastrick, the Ball from which struck against a House in the Town, & rebounding from the House hit a man in the back, the person very soon afterwards call’d upon Lt. Allen & brought the Ball—Mr Allen immediately went over with a part of the men, but could not meet with any Suspicious Characters—

Last night the whole of my Detachment were out from 10 Oclock to 3 Oclock this Morning – I heard the Report of a Gun about ½ past 10 clock, & directly after a Light was held up, for nearly ½ a minute in a Wood, about a Mile from Brighouse Bridge, where I was stationed with a Part of the Piquet—The Dragoons were Patroling in that Direction, likewise a Division of my Piquet, but they did not see or hear any person in the Wood—

I have had repeated Conversations with the Special Constables, who have at different times been on Duty with me, they are all decidedly of Opinion at a General search for Arms, in the following Towns & Villages would be attended with a good effect, & they have no Doubt a great Many Arms would be discovered—

The Acting Constable for the Town ship of Brighouse was with me last night, & he has given me the following List of places, which exactly answers to the plans of all the Constables—

The general Search to commence at Elland Edge, Linley, Fixby, & Fixby Ridge, Rastrick & Bradley—

I therefore beg to submit this plan, for your consideration, & shall feel much honor’d by its meeting your approbation—

I have [etc]

W Wilde Capt
N Suffolk Regt—

Brighouse
15 Septr

[To] M. Genl. Acland
&c &c &c

20th June 1812: More arms raids in Rastrick

In the evening of Saturday June 20th 1812, Luddites were again out in Rastrick conducting raids for arms. Several homes were raided, including the home of a John Oldroyd, where they obtained a horse pistol.

19th June 1812: Luddites raid the house of John Armitage of Rastrick for weapons

On Friday evening the 19th June 1812, Luddites conducted a raid for arms at the house of John Armitage in Rastrick. Armitage was away, but a servant was present, who told the Luddites that Armitage had surrended his weapons to the military.

The Luddites afterwards went to the home of Armitage's gamekeeper a mile away and took away a gun.