| Site Name | East of Rufus River |
| Aboriginal Place Name | |
| Language Group | Marrawarra |
| Present State/Territory | NSW |
| Colony/State/Territory at the time | NSW |
| Police District | |
| Latitude | -34.142 |
| Longitude | 141.455 |
| Date | 26 Aug 1841 |
| Attack Time | Day |
| Victims | Aboriginal People |
| Victim Descriptions | Warrior(s) |
| Victims Killed | 7 |
| Victims Killed Notes | |
| Attackers | Colonists |
| Attacker Descriptions | Overlander(s) |
| Attackers Killed | 0 |
| Attackers Killed Notes | Overland party lead by Mr Robinson, Mr Warrener and Mr Barker |
| Transport | |
| Motive | Opportunity |
| Weapons Used | Firearm(s) |
| Narrative | According to a statement made by Mr Robinson, an overland party was travelling from Gundagai to South Australia. Nearing the Rufus River, after gathering stray cattle he ventured ahead of the party to look for a crossing. He encountered about 300 Aboriginal people who moved into a crescent formation. Mr Robinson gathered a party of well armed overlanders. 'On our approach they advanced, and we commenced firing: we discharged about 8 rounds each before the blacks gave the least way. They now began to retreat. We then advanced, and drove them back into the bush. During this affray about 15 were killed and wounded.' (Inquirer, August 24, 1842, p 6) The following day at Rufus River, another massacre occurred in which about 21 or more were killed. |
| Sources | Burke et al, 2016, pp145-179; Inquirer, August 24, 1842 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65582199 (Sources PDF) |
| Corroboration Rating | ** |
Colonial Frontier Massacres
in Australia, 1788-1930
