This inspection foray hastened a change in the leadership of the Reform League, to people who championed ‘physical force’ over ‘moral force’ as argued by Humffray and the old leadership.
![](https://spiritofeureka.org/joomla/images/stories/peter%20lalor.jpg)
The incensed miners elected the more militant Peter Lalor as their leader. Quickly a military formation was organized amongst the miners and a defensive stockade was built against further government attacks. The Eureka Flag was unfurled, and an oath of allegiance was sworn.
![](https://spiritofeureka.org/joomla/images/stories/oath.jpg)
“WE SWEAR BY THE SOUTHERN CROSS TO STAND TRULY BY EACH OTHER AND FIGHT TO DEFEND OUR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES.”
On Sunday at dawn on 3 December, 280 soldiers and police charged the stockade whose numbers had dwindled to around 120 diggers. The police units emulated the army with a ruthless bayonet charge. About 22 diggers and 6 soldiers were killed in the fight. Some 140 men were arrested, but most were eventually released. The authorities chose 13 supposed ring-leaders for trial.