A very serious riot took place in Belfast on the 12th of July (a Sunday) but not in connection with any procession of the Orangemen. In the early hours of the morning one or two arches were erected across the thoroughfare leading from Saltwater Bridge to Barrack Street,and large crowds paraded about in in orderly manner. At the usual hour the Orange Brethren proceeded to their respective places of worship,principally Christ Church and St Anne's Church,where appropiate addresses were delivered. In the evening crowds of Roman Catholics assembled at the head of Barrack Street where they erected green arches. Very soon a series of hot engagements took place between them and the Protestants. At first an effort was made by the police to suppress the riot,but before long the military,horse and foot,had to intervene. The Roman Catholics had no outposts to defend,and they beat a hasty retreat. After cutting down the Ribbon arches,the military turned to similar decorations in the Orange quarter, and here the consequences were most unfortunate. Acting on the advice of a fellow citizen called William Barklie,who was subsequently sabred,the Protestants dispersed,save a few women and boys.
Irritated at the behaviour of these disturbers who remained defiant,a party of dragoons charged under Captain Harvey,some of them making furious strokes at the arches and their protectors,and a violent combat ensued. So fiercely were the cavalry assailed with stones and other missiles that they had to retire,many of them bleeding profusely. Alarmed by what was occurring,Mr Skinner,the Stipendiary Magistrate,who had been knocked down and serverly wounded,read the Riot Act,and,without waiting to see how far the endeavours of the Sovereign of the Borough and others might tell on the side of peace,he gave the order to fire. At once the military obeyed,and a ball struck a young woman named Annie Moore,who had been visiting the neighbourhood in the company of Mary Moffett,a girl friend. In a few minutes this innocent victim passed away,her last words,thrice repeated being: ''Lord have mercy on me.'' A man named William Trainer,who was hit by another ball while standing under an arch died some time later. A number of people sustained wounds more or less severe,but happily none of these were attended with fatal results.
Afterwards the death of Annie Moore became the theme of a well-known ballad. Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
I think Annie Moore was buried in Knock graveyard just off the carriageway. I know the man who was killed in the same incident is buried there. Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
