soldiers before there was any firing. They were not armed with anything that I saw. … Captain Shortland ordered the soldiers to bring their muskets down to the charge. I believe Capt. Shortland was in front of the guard, at this time, desiring the prisoners to go back. I saw none of the prisoners wresting the arms from the soldiers. I saw none of them attempt to seize the arms. … I heard no order to fire, nor do I know how it began; did not hear any of the prisoners challenging the soldiers to fire. … I did not see the officer of the guard at this time. The firing was in an independent manner, three or four muskets being discharged at a time. After the firing commenced the prisoners began to retire towards their prisons. I did not hear any cheering among them, or see them rally after the fire. … I did not go into the prison yard."
John Saunders, private in the 1st Regiment of Somerset Militia. "I was with the first party of soldiers that marched into the Market Square; at that time the gate was broken open the prisoners were coming through in a crowd. The alarm bell rang at the time we reached the west guard-house; the officer of the guard was with us, I believe. I believe it was he who ordered us into the square. … Capt. Shortland, after some discourse with the prisoners, ordered to charge with some difficulty we got the prisoners back to the gates, some of them retiring through the gates. … The square was nearly clear of prisoners before the firing—they did not return into the square, but threw some stones through the rails. I heard the word 'Fire!' given, but do not know by whom. There were no prisoners in the Market Square when the first shots were fired. The prisoners had the command of the gates, so as to open them when they thought proper. I fired my musket. The prisoners closed the gates after them, which we
