19th May 2016: Troop movements

In the first signs that the government was now beginning to intervene in the crisis in East Anglia, on Sunday 19th May 1816, units of the 1st Dragoon Guards arrived in Bury St Edmunds, bound for Brandon. Units would continue to arrive throughout the following day.

28th May 1814: The Stirlingshire Militia leave the West Riding

On Saturday 28th May 1814, after a stay of 15 months, the Stirlingshire Militia left the West Riding for North Berwick. The Militia was the unit of Captain Francis Raynes.

29th March 1814: Forfarshire Miltia arrive in Liverpool after 15 months in Manchester

On Tuesday 29th March 1814, the Forfarshire Miltia began arriving in Liverpool, where they would soon leave for Ireland. They recently arrived from Manchester, where they had been stationed for the past 15 months.

1st March 1813: General Acland updates General Maitland on the state of the West Riding

Wakefield 1 March 1813.

My dear Sir.

The Weekly reports on the state of the Country receiv’d yesterday are most satisfactory, & I find from Lt Colonel Lang that Mr. Radcliffe wishes to have his Guard discontinued from this day—

Mr. Scott has administer’d the oath to about one Hundred in the whole — he writes Raynes that he has thoughts of making a further communication to Government & wishes to see him before he does so—

Thirty one have abjur’d &c before Dr. Colthurst at Halifax, but I have not heard if any more have been before Mr Armytage.

The Inhabitants of Elland have presented Lt Cooper with a Gold Snuff box, with an Inscription expressive of their gratitude for his exertions.

I have communicated with Sir Francis Wood & Hay about the Pontefract detachment, they wish it to remove for the present as there is a considerable Store of ammunition &c. They are much obliged by your having consulted them on the subject—

I have ordered the Troop of the Greys to be withdrawn to-morrow from Bradford & Halifax having a Serjt and twelve men at each station.

The Wiltshire Militia is mov’d to Carlisle, to be replaced by the Aberdeen at Liverpool.

I hope soon to hear from you & remain [illegible]

Wroth: P: Acland

Since I finish’d my letter I have heard from good authority that very few of the Arms that have been stolen about Huddersfield remain in possession of the persons that took them away—such as [any] remain have been render’d useless from different causes but the far greater part have been either thrown into the Mill Dam near Sir George Armytages or a hole in the neighbourhood

I am also confirm’d in my opinion about the depredators committed in Mr. Hagues & Horsfal’s plantations, & Mr. Horsfal has I [understand] express’d himself perfectly satisfied it has nothing to do with Luddism &c

WPA

[To] Lt General
The Rt Honble
T. Maitland
London

23rd January 1813: General Maitland issues a circular to West Riding Magistrates about the withdrawal of troops

York, 23d January, 1813.

CIRCULAR TO THE MAGISTRATES OF THE WEST RIDING,

GENTLEMEN,

As it is my intention to make an immediate change in the distribution of that part of the force under my orders, employed in the West Riding, and, as it is probable a further change may eventually take place, considerably diminishing the amount of that force, I feel it a duty incumbent upon me, to make you aware of the nature of the immediate change, that you may adopt such local measures, should you deem any necessary, as to you may appear fitting for the security if your division. Hitherto the troops have been detached all over the country, as circumstances, and the information I received, rendered it necessary: they were kept in a great state of activity, and constantly on the alert, with a view to the general tranquillity of the country.

The experience, however, of the last two months having plainly indicated that the temper of the country was considerably changed, and that he deluded men who have been guilty of the atrocities that had occurred, had either repented of their illegal courses, or had been intimidated to forbearance from future outrage; and having now before us, the heavy but necessary and salutary example of the late executions in this place, for which the happiest effects must justly be expected to rise, it is deemed adviseable that the feeling of the country should have a full and fair trial, by withdrawing all the numerous detachments, by the ceasing of all military activity, and by allowing the general temper to manifest itself in the most free and unfettered manner. All the detachments are, therefore, forthwith, with very few exceptions, to be called in; nor shall I give way, without the strongest reasons, to any applications that may be made, either for their continuance in part or in whole.

If, in the opinion of the magistrates, any protection is necessary in any part of their division, it is expected they will find that protection, by calling forth such local force as they have now had ample time to organize, and which, under the present circumstances, appears to be fully adequate to the purpose of local protection.

Should the same spirit happily continue to prevail, and no further symptoms of dissatisfaction shew themselves, a diminution of the large force employed by His Majesty in the West-Riding, will materially take place within a short time; which leads me, still further, to be anxious to make this statement to you, that you may keep in view, the necessity of preserving in those measures for local protection, to which you must eventually look for safety and security.

I trust it is unnecessary for me to add, that should our just and well grounded expectations of the restoration of tranquillity, unfortunately not be realized, you will find, on my part, the same wish and anxiety to give every military aid, which has been my uniform study since I honor to command in this part of the country.

T. MAITLAND,
Lieut.-General.

13th January 1813: General Maitland suggests to General Acland that a withdrawal of troops should be trialled

York
13th Jany
1813

Dear Acland

The Commission having enclosed here & having succeeded in every point beyond my most sanguine expectations I feel extremely inclined to give the Country a fair trial of itself in every way till we see the effect of it, & to withdraw as many of the out Parties as we can with prudence leaving the whole of the worst Parts distinctly to themselves. Without this measure we never can come to a fair knowledge of the real feelings of the People hitherto so deeply implicated, & I cannot conceive any circumstances more favorable for such a trial than the present.

If therefore you could without inconvenience come over here before you go to Huddersfield, we could in a Day arrange the whole of the Force, here, in Lancashire & Cheshire & the whole of the Borders and the sooner it is finally fixed after your Court Martial is ever the better.

Ever Your’s
T Maitland

[To] Major Genl Acland
&c &c &c

26th October 1812: Troop movements

On Monday 26th October 1812, the 1st Division of the 15th Hussars left the West Riding of Yorkshire for Manchester. The following day, the 2nd Division left for the same destination. They were to be relieved by the notorious Scotch Greys.

22nd October 1812: The military camp on Kersal Moor, Salford, is disbanded

By Thursday 22nd October 1812, in an indication of how pacified the North West of England had become, the large military camp that had occupied Kersal Moor in Salford for several months was broken up.

21st October 1812: General Acland informs General Maitland of troop movements & of information from a 'man from Lockwood'

Huddersfield 21st October 1812.

My dear Sir,

The Troops begin to move to-morrow, & will arrive at their destinations on the 30th excepting the Berks & Louth, with the Regt from the North.

The Carlow will be at Derbyshire on the 29th & 30th and as soon as the Forfar has commenced its March the Berks will move from Manchester I have left the Louth at Stockport Ashton, Oldham &c till the Edinburgh is near Manchester, as we have have nothing otherwise for the out Quarters—

We are perfectly quiet & nothing particular has occasion’d since I wrote Yesterday

Wroth P: Acland

[To] Lt General
The Rt Honble
T. Maitland

I have your letter of the 19th Inst. A man from Lockwood has just been with me & given some information that may lead to a corroboration of what we already have about some of the depredations committed. He is more respectable in his appearance than any I have yet had with me — he says now they are not afraid to speak out, but he dared not have opened his lips sometime ago — but things are changed the well affected may now open — & the Luds are afraid to speak—

WPA.

I am going to Wakefield to get the papers for Mr Addington

1st September 1812 1812: Troop movements

Tuesday 1st September say more troop movements around Lancashire.

Units of the Royal Berkshire Militia which had been stationed in Lancaster for the past 3 months marched for Manchester.

On the same day, two companies of the Hampshire Militia arrived in  Lancaster from Wakefield.

29th August 1812: Extensive movements of troops around England

The Leeds Mercury of  Saturday 29th August 1812 reported on extensive recent and future troops movements around the disturbed Counties of the Midlands and North of England:

We have to announce the following military movements:—the Cumberland Militia has marched from Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield to Hull. The West Kent are on their rout from Leeds to Nottingham. The Royal Denbigh arrived yesterday in this place from Hull. The Somerset Militia are on the march from Nottingham to Leeds, and are expected to arrive on Monday. The Carlow Militia from Hull, will march into this place next Wednesday. The Out-Quarters of Bradford, Halifax, and Huddersfield will be occupied by the Suffolk and Norfolk regiments. The South Hants marched from Wakefield to Colne, &c. In Lancashire on Tuesday, and on the day following were replaced by the North Lincoln Militia from Liverpool. The 23d Light Dragoons marched on Tuesday last from the Metropolis for this district. Four troops of the Blues, consisting of about 300 men, have marched from Manchester to be embarked on foreign service. The Bays and the 15th Regiment of Hussars now quartered in this Riding have not yet received their rout.

13th August 1812: Troop movements

Following the huge numbers practising autoreduction at Knottingley 2 days before, on the night of Thursday 13th August 1812, a detachment of the South Hants Militia were moved from Wakefield to Knottingley.

22nd July 1812: Troop movements

On Wednesday 22nd July 1812, the Horse Artillery arrived in Huddersfield and were later inspected on nearby Lindley Moor. The Leeds Mercury commented that the inspection took place 'in the presence of a great concourse of spectators'.

10th June 1812: Troop movements

On Wednesday morning, 10th June 1812, two companies of the Royal Berkshire Militia arrived in Lancaster from Colne.

18th May 1812: Troops build up in Nottinghamshire

On 18th May 1812, the Times reported that a new camp was being formed in Sherwood Forest, 7 miles from Nottingham, which would accommodate 3,000 infantry and 500 cavalry.

13th May 1812: Troop movements

On Wednesday 13th May 1812, the Craven Local Militia, commanded by Lord Ribblesdale, marched into York, where they would remain on permanent duty for 14 days.

9th May 1812: Troop dispositions in the North West of England

In a report to the Home Office of 9th May 1812, Lieutenant-General Maitland detailed the troops stationed in the North West of England, prior to the arrival of further forces of the Royal Horse Guards:

Royal Horse Artillery:

1 Troop - Manchester 'B' Quarters

Rocket Corps:

Manchester 'B' Quarters

Royal Horse Guards:

3 Troops - Warrington Headquarters
2 Troops - Liverpool
1 Troop - Chester
1 Troop - Preston
1 Troop - Shrewsbury

2nd Dragoon Guards:

4 Troops - Manchester 'B' Headquarters
1 Troop - Manchester 'B' Quarters
2 Troops - Macclesfield
2 Troops - Bolton
1 Troop - Blackburn

Cumberland Militia:

4 Companies - Rochdale
4 Companies - Bury

Buckinghamshire Militia:

7 Companies - Manchester
3 Companies - Stockport

Louth Militia:
9 Companies - Manchester

West Suffolk:
8 Companies - Liverpool 'B' & Quarters

North Lincolnshire:
8 Companies - Chester 'B' & Quarters

Berkshire Militia:
6 Companies - Preston
2 Companies - Lancaster

Wiltshire Militia:
10 Companies - Camp on Kersal Moor, Salford

Sterlingshire Militia:
8 Companies - Camp on Kersal Moor, Salford

West Norfolk Militia:
10 Companies - Macclesfield

The Cumberland, Bucks & Louth Militias were under the command of Major-General Acland in Manchester, whilst the West Suffolk, North Lincs & Berks Militias were under the command of Major-General Dirom in Liverpool.

6th May 1812: Troop movements

On Wednesday 6th May, 6 companies of the Chester Local Militia regiment, as well as some artillery, began a march to Stockport. On the same day, 500 of the Berkshire Militia arrived in Preston, to be joined by 200 more the following day.

1st May 1812: Troop movements

On Friday 1st May 1812, one troop each of the 2nd Dragoon Guards marched from Leeds to Bradord and Halifax.

1st May 1812: More troops arrive in Manchester & many sworn in under the Watch & Ward Act

On Friday 1st May 1812 600 troops of the Berkshire Militia under Lieutenant-Colonel Ravenshaw arrived in Manchester, having marched from Nottinghamshire.

At the same time, it was reported that 132 people had been sworn in under the Watch & Ward Act for Salford, and 2000 for Manchester and other townships nearby. And most of the Manchester & Salford Local Militia under Colonel Silvester and the Newton & Failsworth Militia under Lieutenant-Colonel Keymer were also called out.