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The Battle of Mickleton A mini-timeline of the events surrounding the construction of Campden Tunnel |
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November 1846 Having been granted the contract to build Campden Tunnel earlier in the year, Messrs Williams, Ackroyd and Price have begun the construction. At this point 400-500 navvies are engaged in the construction. May 1849 Having fallen out with his two partners, Williams goes into partnership with Marchant. June 1851 The construction of the tunnel has proceeded sporadically over the past five years, and by this point, Williams has departed, leaving Marchant as the sole contractor on the job. Marchant now has a dispute with the OW&W railway resulting in one investor, Sir Morton Peto and a solicitor he has appointed to the OW&W as an "advisor" attempting to take possession of the works. With control of the tunnel firmly in his possession, Marchant is initially able to hold them off Friday 20th July, 1851 Isambard Kingdom Brunel arrives with 300 men in an attempt to resolve the dispute personally. His forces are met by 100 of Marchant's men, armed with clubs and fueled by alcohol. A county magistrate at the scene warns Brunel not to start a fight and Brunel backs off. Saturday 21st July, 1851 In the hope that the magistrate has departed, Brunel's forces return to take the tunnel. The magistrate has not departed and has a large body of policeman at his command. The Riot Act is read to both sides who are disarmed by the police. Brunel's forces retreat yet again leaving the tunnel in Marchant's possession. Sunday 22nd July, 1851 Brunel uses the Sunday to bring in reinforcements. Monday 23rd July, 1851 At 3am Brunel begins a fresh assault on the tunnel. 200 men led by Mr Cowderey advance from Mickleton into the tunnel where they are met by Marchant who is armed with pistols. However, with Marchant now distracted, Brunel orders a full-scale assault from all sides, forcing Marchant to retreat. The magistrate and police return to restore order, backed up now by troops from the Gloucester Artillery, and troops from Coventry are mobilised as reinforcements. Marchant attempts to put his men to work, but Brunel's men halt any progress on the tunnel. Sporadic violence occurs for the remainder of the day, fortunately without fatalities. At 4pm, Marchant, realising how futile his position is, surrenders to Brunel. The Coventry troops are not needed and Marchant quits the site, losing all his investment in the works, including £10,000 of plant.
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