Horse Patrols and the Mounted Police
Hunter Valley 1825 - 1826
Horse Patrols were the forerunners of the Mounted Police. They were established at Bathurst and at Newcastle when Sir Thomas Brisbane was Governor in response to Bushrangers who terrorised the districts in 1824 - 1825.
[1]
Most prominent of the bushrangers in the Hunter Valley at the time was a gang known as Jacob's Irish Brigade or Jacob's Mob.
Consisting of disgruntled and brutalized runaway convicts, the gang made lightning attacks on various farms in the lower Hunter including those of James Reid, Vicars Jacob, Standish Lawrence Harris, David Maziere, James McClymont, Lieutenant William Hicks, William Evans, Dr. Henry Radford and James McGillivray. They began their rampage in August 1825 and after a bloody battle were captured by (foot) soldiers at Sparke's farm, Hexham in October 1825.
Soon after this it was reported that Lieut. Thomas Evernden, Commander of the horse patrol recently established in Sydney, embarked on the Amity bound for Newcastle with 30 soldiers in order to quell further bushranging in the district.
The horse patrols consisted of soldiers who were initially sent from Newcastle by Commandant Francis Allman; they were under the Superintendence of a Magistrate and to be provisioned by Settlers at various farms and estates up the valley.
The horse patrol wore the same military dress as the Governor's Body Guard of Cavalry [2]
Governor Sir Ralph Darling arrived in the colony on the Katherine Stewart Forbes in December 1825. Thomas de la Condamine of the 57th regiment was about twenty-eight years of age and employed as aide-de-camp when he arrived with Governor Darling. He served as Military Secretary in 1826 and was one of the small and trusted band of government staff officers [4]
In the 1820s as settlers and their convict servants moved further into outlying districts, land was cleared and sheep runs established resulting perhaps in traditional food sources of the indigenous becoming less available and livestock becoming an alternative. Inevitably this led to clashes as natives seized sheep and other food and settlers and their men protected their stock and land granted by government.
Spare a thought for the convict shepherds and stockmen who populated the farms and estates in these early days. Many were from the cities - London, Manchester, York, Dublin, Cork etc. They had no rural experience and probably few encounters with natives before they reached the Hunter Valley. Many could not read; much of their knowledge came by word of mouth. Despite their inexperience and reluctance, on arrival many thousands were assigned to settlers who sent them to the far reaches of the Valley and beyond to tend sheep and cattle. They lived an isolated life surrounded by danger. Throughout the records of the Magistrate's Bench Books are details of harsh punishments meted out to shepherds who had the misfortune to lose sheep while on watch. William Cordery, assigned to James Glennie was sentenced to 50 lashes for losing a sheep in 1833; a common punishment for this offence.
A description of a prisoner under sentence of 50 lashes was included in Parliamentary Papers in 1833 -
Blood flowed at the fourth lash; the convict cried out at the 18th, and continued crying for a few succeeding lashes; his skin was considerably torn, and blood flowed during the whole of the punishment. This man groaned much, and prayed while suffering his sentence, and afterwards declared seriously that he 'would never come again.' I am of opinion that he was sufficiently punished at the 25th lash; and I felt convinced that he suffered so severely as to become, henceforth, more careful in subjecting himself to the infliction of punishment
Little wonder that shepherds might go to great lengths to prevent sheep from being stolen.
In the Hunter Valley in 1826 focus of the Horse Patrols altered from capturing bushrangers to apprehending natives who had carried out attacks on farms, the most serious being the murder of a shepherd at James Bowman's estate Ravensworth.
At Newcastle in February 1826 Lieut. Nathaniel Lowe was despatched by Captain Allman to Wallis Plains with a detachment of Mounted Police to ride in pursuit of the perpetrators of the Ravensworth murder, however in June 1826 -
Lieut. Lowe returned to Newcastle from the Upper District, having in vain tried to make any apprehensions. A Serjeant and four privates of Lieut. Lowe's Detachment were left at Wallis Plains to patrol and report to him any further unrest. [5]
By June 1826 marauding bands of natives had made attacks on several out-lying farms and stations in the Hunter, notably at Craytonshaw, the farm of James Greig; and on a house belonging to Robert Lethbridge's estate Bridgman near Falbrook occupied by Richard Alcorn. Settlers and their convict servants were killed or wounded in these and other skirmishes. This resulted in pressure on government to protect the white population.
In June it was privately reported to government that settlers in the vicinity of Illalaung (Morpeth) were under threat from native attack. Headquarters in Sydney were quick to contact Captain Allman at Newcastle to give authority to use Mounted Police and whatever force necessary to preserve the life of settlers.
This instruction underlines the disconnect between the Government in Sydney and the reality of soldiers, settlers and natives in the out-lying districts; and also the colonial inexperience of Governor Darling and Thomas de la Condamine compared to Captain Allman a Peninsular war veteran who had been in the colony for eight years and could offer a more circumspect assessment. The authorities were immediately informed by Captain Allman that the region in conflict in the vicinity of the Bowman estate (Ravensworth) where a shepherd had been killed, was at least 50 miles from the estate of Lieut. Close at Illalaung and that the native tribe in the Illalaung district were perfectly peaceful and not known to ever travel so far.
After the attacks at the Bridgman estate and at Falbrook the Attorney-General Saxe Bannister supported declaring a state of Martial Law, however Governor Darling rejected this proposal, suspecting that outrages by natives were not unprovoked. He did however order additional Mounted military troopers to be dispatched from Newcastle and Sydney to deal with the so-called disturbances. On 7th September the Officers received orders via Lieut. de la Condamine on behalf of government to repress the hostile incursion of the Native Inhabitants, and to punish the outrages, which have been recently committed; to which effect, you will oppose force by force, and repel those aggressions without waiting further Orders. It is desirable that you should proceed with promptness, and act with decision, as the most likely means of intimidating these people and putting an end to their further violence.[6]
On receipt of these instructions dated 7th and 8th September Captain Foley of the Mounted Police immediately proceeded with 20 men to the Hunter. On his arrival at Mr. Glennie's estate (Dulwich), Captain Foley found the Detachment of a Corporal and six, despatched on Captain Allman's requisition, who, as well as the party under his own immediate orders, had been anticipated by Mr. Robert Scott of Glendon. Robert Scott together with some of his people and some volunteers, with three soldiers of the Mounted Police, pursued the perpetrators of the murders at Mr. Lethbridge's farm the second day after the outrage; they succeeded by the aid of one of his own Blacks in coming up with them at a distance of twenty miles or more from the scene of the murder.
According to The Australian, there was a fearful battle when sixteen musquet-armed troopers, settlers and assigned convicts killed about eighteen spear-wielding warriors. Two, a man and a woman were captured; three others who were captured being just boys, were released. [7]
Captain Foley ordered a small detachment of the Mounted Police to remain in the region under Serjeant Lewis Moore, a very active and intelligent non-commissioned Officer, and well acquainted with the Country, and the only soldier, who has had influence sufficient with the Natives to induce one of them to accompany him in pursuit of his fellows. I have given him instructions to use every means to secure the surviving men of the Tribe, known to be implicated in the late affair
In a later enquiry Sergeant Moore gave details of the subsequent treatment of those natives they had managed to capture.... about the 12th of August, his Party apprehended several Blacks, who had been named to him, and who were taken about to the different places, where Depredations had been committed, and identified. In marching these Prisoners down the country, three Blacks broke the ropes, with which they were secured, and fled. Examinant and party did all they could to persuade them to return; but they continued their flight; under these circumstances the party were obliged to fire on them, when the three runaways were shot; from being mounted, the party were unable to pursue the Blacks, who ran into the Brushes. There were, at the time other Prisoners in charge, and having Lieutenant Low's order to secure the Blacks when they were taken, he had nothing Left for it but to order them to be shot. Examinant conceived he would be severely punished, if he had permitted the Blacks to escape. Answers to questions from the Bench. - Two out of the three Blacks were shot in one day, and the other on a different day
Later, under examination, Lieut. Nathaniel Lowe explained how it was that the escaping aborigines had been shot:
Examinant gave directions to his party that, if ever they fell in with any of them, who they knew to have committed any act of atrocity, that they must secure them, and, if they attempted to escape by freeing themselves from the ropes, with which they were secured, to fire ; this being the only means, pursued by both Civil and Military Officers, who had charge of felons. The escape of some Felons from the Military at Wallis Plains, not long since, rendered the caution necessary, as the soldiers concerned were most severely punished. When Examinant was at Bathurst in command of a Detachment there, a similar circumstance took place. If these soldiers had permitted the Blacks, the subject of the present enquiry, to escape. Examinant would have felt it his duty to have brought them to trial. Under such impressions, Examinant reported everything that occurred from time to time. It was in obedience to these orders that three Natives were reported to Examinant as being shot. Examinant. therefore, considered the Soldiers had only done their duty.
The Mounted troopers left in the region were based with Ensign Robertson at Wallis Plains and while they were probably provisioned by the up-country settlers they may not have stayed on any of the estates while out in the field. On one occasion Robert Scott even declined to have the Officer's party accommodated at Glendon stating there were insufficient facilities. The troops may have bivouacked in their own camps when it suited them.
In October 1826 Governor Darling gave instructions that the soldiers were ordered not to act offensively against the Natives under present circumstances, but to protect the Establishments and repel them, should they make incursions and disturb the Country . [8]
Read Reports and Testimonials in Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, Vol vii., pp. 608 - 628
Further Notes and Links
1). The Executive Authority has at length been prevailed upon by remonstrance, entreaty, and persuasion to order some efficient regulations of the Police of the Colony. The augmentation of the Constabulary generally, is an improvement of great consequence. The numerous burglaries nightly committed are not likely to occur so often, as we learn that a regular Patrole, headed by a proper Conductor, will constantly parade the streets during the night. The time too of the Constables is expected to be more efficiently employed by a recent order confining them to the exclusive performance of office duties. but we have most of all to congratulate the Up country Settlers on the formation of a Horse Patrole, as a security against the depredations of runaways. If this Patrole be property superintendent by the Magistrates who are about to be appointed, we have every reason to believe that bushranging pursuits will soon draw to a close. They have been a great drawback to the prosperity of the industrious farmer - their effects have been much more widely injurious to the general prospects of the Country than our representations have every shews; the good conduct therefore of the men forming the Patrole, and the active zeal of the Magistracy, will be productive of very extensive benefit to the public and merit the sincere thanks of the Settlers. - The Australians 15 September 18252). Information has just reached us, that the Aboriginal Natives have lately become very troublesome in the district of Patrick Plains. About a fortnight ago a party of them plundered the Huts of Mr. George Forbes and Captain John Pike, and speared a government servant of the former, wounding him in the back. This man is recovering. The resident Magistrate William Ogilvie proceeded in company with a friendly native in quest of the hostile tribe, and succeeded in obtaining a conference with them, and prevailed on them after a time, to restore a considerable part of some property which they had stolen - The Australian 17 June 1826
3). Further particulars have been communicated to us of the fight with the blacks in the district of Hunter River. It appears that as soon as it was made known that the black fellows had committed the outrage on Mr. Lethbridge's farm, three of the Mounted Police, accompanied by Mr. Scott and some prisoners and some friendly natives, set out in quest of them. Having continued the pursuit for some time, they at length discovered their tract, and afterwards lost it, but on the following day they were fortunate enough to fall in with it again, and by the light of fires which the hostile tribes kindled towards evening, the precise spot they occupied was soon ascertained. Two men, one a white man, and the other a black, were sent forward to reconnoitre their position etc and as they came suddenly upon them they were descried by the party of blacks, who immediately set up the cry 'kill white man'. Upon this the two being each provided with a musket (the blacks are good shots, we are informed), fired among them, and then retired behind trees to re-load. At this moment a spear was hurled which struck the native black on one side of the face, pierced his cheek, and protruded through the opposite cheek having passed curiously enough through a hollow in the mouth occasioned by the loss of a tooth. The remainder of the pursuers hearing the firing, hastened to the spot, and as the whole of them amounting probably to about sixteen were furnished with muskets, they discharged these among the sable enemy. A hot conflict followed, the natives maintaining their ground and making the most dexterous use of their spears. At last they were obliged to yield, betake themselves to flight, leaving behind them about eighteen of their comrades who were number with the dead. A man and his gin were taken prisoners. The attacking party sustained no loss of lives. We do not learn that the Aboriginals have deemed it prudent to renew their hostilities or their annoyances. ....Mr. Scott is a Magistrate, and all that took place, we have no doubt, was managed under his control and direction. Investigation, therefore we think if investigation be necessary or if further information be required, than that which is furnished by the party who very opportunely and very properly went in pursuit of the depredators, should be conducted by persons higher in authority than Justices of the Peace....The Australian 23 September 1826
4). Corporal James Fielding, occupation soldier/baker. Enlisted in the 17th Regiment 19 October 1815. He arrived with the Buffs who provided the Guard on the convict ship Phoenix in 1826. He enlisted with the Mounted Police on 1 October 1825 and was discharged August 1838. He served with 28th regiment until pensioned out on 31 May 1839. (Australia's Redcoat Settlers)
5). Corporal George Castles, occupation soldier/ labourer. Enlisted in 57th regiment. He joined the Mounted Police on 1 February 1826 and was discharged in Sydney December 1831. (Australia's Redcoat Settlers)
6). Lieut. Thomas Evernden was born c 1788. He enlisted in the 57th regiment and arrived in the colony on the Royal Charlotte in April 1825. He joined the Mounted Police on 24 December 1825 and was discharged on 1 October 1827. He died 15 September 1839 at Kelso, NSW
7). Captain J.M. Foley of the 4th regt. (or Buffs) arrived in Australia on the Hibernia in April 1824. He was stationed at Newcastle in May 1826 until January 1827 when he returned to Sydney. He departed with the Buffs on the Woodford bound for Madras via Hobart in February 1827
8). Lieut. Nathaniel Lowe - 40th regt Mounted Police. Arrived in the colony in command of the Guard on the convict ship Albion in 1823. He arrived with a detachment of the Mounted Police at Wallis Plains in February 1826. In 1827 after a controversial court case, he was found not guilty of the murder of aborigine Jackey Jackey. He married Elizabeth Abbott at Launceston in 1828. Nathaniel Lowe died in Canada in 1875.
9) Sergeant Lewis Moore
10) Private John Lee arrived in the colony in 1823. He later received a 100 acre land grant and in the 1840s held the license for the Blue Bell Inn in East Maitland
11). The uniform of the Governor's Body Guard was changed in early 1826 to one of blue, elegantly turned up with yellow which was said to set the men off to great advantage and create a most imposing appearance [3]. The uniform of the Horse Patrol may have changed at the same time.
References
[1] Colonial Secretary's Correspondence. Special Bundles. 1825 Sep 7 Public Notice re establishment of for suppressing bushrangers (Reel 6039; 4/424 p.401)[2] Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser 8 October 1825
[3] Sydney Gazette 15 February 1826. The Horse Patrol may also have received new uniforms at this time.
[4] G. D. Richardson, 'de la Condamine, Thomas (1797 - 1873)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published first in hardcopy 1966
[5] Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, vol. vii., Captain Allman to Lieutenant de la Condamine. Newcastle, 27 June, 1826.
[6] Historical Records of Australia Series 1 vol. vii. Lieutenant de la Condamine to Captain Foley Sir, Government House, 7th September, 1826.
[7] The Australian 23 September 1826
[8] Historical Records of Australia., Series 1, vol. vii., Lieutenant de la Condamine to Captain Foley Sir, Government House, 3rd October, 1826.
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