Orders were issued to bring some of the troops round to the point where the constables were stationed, and the Manchester Yeomanry being the first were moved forward. The crowd was so great that doubts were expressed whether the civil power could be effectively aided without some additional troops. The officer who commanded the Yeomanry, seeing an open space leading to the hustings, near the line of constables, and fearing from the motion of the crowd, that it would be blocked up, pushed forward to occupy it. The line of constables was broken by the crowd, who, however, retired, and made way for the trumpeter, officers, and first part of the body. In a short time, however, the crowd closed and obliged the remainder of the troop to move forwards to the hustings in single file.

Some followed the officer directly up to the hustings, while others went round, by which means the cart was surrounded, and the warrant of the magistrates executed. At this period, considerable tumult prevailed, and a struggle ensued between the constables and those persons in the cart, who, wished to save the caps of liberty, banners, etc. Some of those who resisted were taken into custody, and the soldiers cut with their sabres. In doing this, it was possible that some persons had been hurt, but not intentionally. We understand from Captain Birley that the real state of the case was, that a part of the Yeomanry, when they approached towards the hustings were separated from the rest - that the individuals so separated from the rest were closed in on, and then assailed with stones and sticks, in consequence of which some of them faced around, in order to defend themselves. The situation in which these individuals were placed by the magistrates, who, on seeing what was going forward, thought it their duty, without delay, to order Colonel L'Estrange to move forward troops in support of them.