opened, and we received orders from the commanding officer to charge the men to their prisons. No muskets were fired in compelling them to their prisons.[1] Just before the firing the prisoners were throwing stones, and insulting the soldiers. Saw no prisoners attempting to wrest the arms from the soldiers. Several shots were fired into No. 3—they were fired into the doorway. I heard no order given for this fire, and heard none to cease firing; there was much disturbance among the prisoners going in, and a stone was thrown out."
William Smith, private in the 1st Somerset Militia. "I heard no order to fire. The firing was in an independent manner, one after another, till nearly all the guard had fired, and then they loaded again. No order was given to fire."
John Tutt, private. "Can't say exactly who ordered us to charge, but think it was Captain Shortland's voice. … While charging, a stone knocked off my cap. … I heard the order for the firing in the square; it commenced while I was picking up my cap."
William Rowles, private. "Captain Shortland gave the order to charge. … I heard an order to fire, but don't know from whom. … I entered the prison yard, saw a soldier level his musket into prison No. 3. I heard no order to the soldier to fire into No. 3; saw no officer there at this time."
John Hamlet, private. "I heard the order to charge by Capt. Shortland. … I was struck by a stone in advancing. … I heard an order to fire given before any firing took place, but don't know by whom."
John Williams, sergeant. "I heard no order to fire; our guard seeing the state the prisoners were in began firing of their own accord."
- ↑ This is contrary to the general evidence, and contrary to his subsequent admission.
