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The Skeleton Army was a group that opposed the open-air marches of the anti-alcohol Salvation Army in the 19th century. The Salvation Army's enemies hired thugs to disrupt, any way they could, Salvation Army meetings and gatherings. Usual tactics used by this army were throwing rocks, rats, and tar, and physically assaulting members of The Salvation Army at these meetings.
In April 1884 the owner of a liquor shop in Worthing objected to Salvation Army criticism of alcohol. A "Skeleton Army" of 4,000 formed intending to disrupt the Army open air meetings. The "Skeletons" recognized each other by various insignia used to distinguish themselves.
The profits of pubs and brothels fell when previous clients converted to the Salvation Army. These owners played their part in starting the Skeleton Army. The Salvation Army reformed rough criminal types. “Nice, respectable Christians” disliked it when reformed ruffians attended church.
Several techniques were employed by the "Skeletons" to disrupt these meetings. Black, sticky tar was put onto alley walls which damaged Salvation Army uniforms as they marched past. Despite the resistance, the Army continued unabated. The Skeletons also threw eggs filled with blue paint at the “Sally Army” and many in the town approved.
Captain Ada Smith lead those who faced the "Skeletons". General Booth wanted police protection for the Salvation Army. The Home Secretary, Sir William Harcourt said it was outside his jurisdiction. Captain Ada Smith of the Salvation Army and her group were ordered to march on Sundays.
On Sunday, 17 August 1884 the police, the Salvation Army and the Skeletons confronted each other. For an hour the police kept the peace. Then the Skeletons rioted. The area was filled with screaming men, brick dust and broken glass. The Salvationists returned to their, "Barracks" and the Skeletons tried to burn it down. The landlord, Mr George Head defended his property and the people there with a revolver wounding some Skeletons. He was charged at Court for this.
George Scott Railton, by contrast, claimed the Skeleton Army first started in Weston-super-Mare in 1881.
The 'Bethnal Green Eastern Post' (November 1882) stated
Skeletons used banners with skull and crossbones, sometimes there were two coffins and a statement like, “blood and Thunder” or the three B’s, “Beef”, “Beer” and “Bacca”. Banners also had pictures of monkeys, rats and a devil. Skeletons further published so-called gazettes considered libellous as well as obscene and blasphemous.
Both sources agree Salvationists were pelted with missiles. At Bethnal Green flour, rotten eggs, stones and brickbats were among
those used. Salvationist men and women, even old people were viciously beaten. When news of trouble in London spread, Skeleton
riots took place in other parts of Britain. The Metropolitan Police were at first unhelpful. The Commissioner of Police of the
Metropolis, Sir Edmund
Henderson denied what happened. The public eventually demanded action and Skeleton riots in London were belatedly put
down.
Skeleton riots continued elsewhere till 1892. At Guildford the corps officer’s wife was kicked unconscious close to a police station and a woman Salvationist fatally injured. At Shoreham too a woman was killed when a stone hit her. The mayor of Eastbourne stated he would, “'put down this Salvation Army business” with help from the Skeleton Army if necessary. Skeletons attacked many Salvationists. Salvationists considered it unchristian to defend themselves but thought the Police should protect them. It is universally agreed the Salvationists did not provoke these attacks but rather showed restraint.
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