Newport Chartists Vol.12, p.52

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[top right margin:-] 52
James Hodge sworn states I am a Collier
and live at Monythusloyne - I am at present in
Mr. Prothero's Employ - I live at Woodfield near the
Black Wood I was at home on the evening of Sunday
the 3rd of November - I was at home that evening at
7 o'Clock A number of men came to my house that night
they were from 7 to 10 they were Armed there was a Gun
or two and a pike or two they told me I must go with
them to the Black Wood to meet Mr.Frost at the Coach
& Horses - The Coach & Horses is kept by Richard
Pugh I was compelled to go with them - At the Coach
& Horses -- I saw Mr. Frost and another man with him
that man was a stranger to me he had to the best of my
knowledge as well as I could tell by the Light
of the Candle and Lanthern a Light Drab Coat, a Cased Hat
and a red Cravat round his neck there were a
considerable number of men present Mr Frost advanced up
the Black Wood about 30 yards and said that he would
scour the Black Wood first then there was some of the people
said they would rather not for it to be scoured it was not
then scoured- I don't know what happened after not
by that party whatever Mr Frost desired us to follow him
to the Cefn When we got to the Road towards Abercarne and
the others continued along the tramroad He said that
Zephaniah Williams with about 5,000 men would meet
us at the Cefn he said Jones of Pontypool was to meet
him with about 2,000 -- I next saw Mr Frost at
Pye Corner on the down from Blackwood to Pye Corner
we met a man on Horseback with a Candle and
Lanthern in his hand it was near Mr. Cross' house he told
us to proceed on, that Mr. Frost was there with a Body of
men waiting for us Some made a remark that what
was the good of going there without Arms - The person
returned with an Answer that there was plenty of Guns
bayonets and Ammunition there - At Pye Corner I heard Mr.