How the signal for revolt was sent before the internet, & the telephone: Newport 1839
In early November 1839 Chartists marched to Newport South Wales in what some have seen as an attempt at a rising. It failed as the crack regiment of the British Army shot dead some of the Chartists. Some of the Chartists were armed but were no match for the elite soldiers.
What happened on 4th November 1839 and what was meant to happen has long been the subject of historical research.
In Archives Week in 2021, the Peoples Collection of Wales placed on-line a very large number of documents relating to what happened on the day and subsequent trials. The original documents have been in the archives for many years but have now been transcribed and versions can be read more easily
https://www.peoplescollection.wales/users/10004
One document gives an interesting perspective on what the purpose of the Chartist march on Newport was designed to be, at least by those who led it. It also indicates how the signal for revolt was sent in the pre-electronic age.
John Frost, one of the leaders is quoted (vol 1p22) as arguing:
They should come to Newport and take possession of the Poorhouse and Soldiers and their Arms, That there was a Store house there where there was plenty of powder and then they would blow up the Bridge and stop the Welsh coaches that ran to the North then there would be notice for them in the North, to commence on Monday night…
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