The Merthyr protesters march to local mines…

The Merthyr protesters march to local mines in the beginning of June and persuade the men on shift there to stop working and join their protest.

Meanwhile, the British government in London has ordered in the army and contingents of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders are dispatched to Merthyr Tydfil to restore order.

Since the crowd is now too large to be dispersed, the soldiers are ordered to protect the Castle Inn, where local employers and magistrates are holding a meeting.

When the workers hear about the meeting, they march there to demand a reduction in the price of bread and an increase in their wages.

The demands are rejected and the people are advised to return to their homes.

When the crowds refuse to disperse after the authorities read out the riot act, the soldiers are ordered to open fire on them.

After sixteen members of the crowd have been killed outright and many others wounded, the protesters take control of the town.

They set up roadblocks, and when the Swansea Cavalry arrives from Aberdar they are ambushed and disarmed.

Messengers are also sent out to neighboring towns and villages calling on them to join the rising.

By June 7, the authorities have regained control of the town through force.

Twenty-six people are arrested and put on trial for taking part in the revolt.

Although not one of the soldiers had received a bullet wound, the crowd being largely unarmed, several rioters are sentenced to terms of imprisonment, others sentenced to penal transportation to Australia.

Two are sentenced to death by hanging—Lewsyn yr Heliwr (also known as Lewis Lewis) for robbery and Dic Penderyn (also known as Richard Lewis) for stabbing a soldier—Private Donald Black of the Highland Regiment—in the leg with a seized bayonet.