Site NameA sheer hill, north west of Nogoa
This massacre is part of a group of massacres
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Place Name
Language Group, Nation or PeopleGayiri
Present State/TerritoryQLD
Colony/State/Territory at the timeQLD
Police DistrictTaroom
Latitude-23.528
Longitude147.524
Date28 Oct 1861
Attack TimeEvening
VictimsAboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
Victim DescriptionsWarrior(s)
Victims Killed60
Victims Killed Notes
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsNative Police
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed Notes
TransportHorse
MotiveReprisal
Weapons UsedCarbine(s), Sword(s)
NarrativeOne of the colonists who arrived at Cullin-la-Ringo following the massacre of colonists there, P.F. McDonald, wrote that, 'In one place we saw the tracks of a party of horsemen which I believe to be those of Lieutenant Cave's detachment. I wish some of those misinformed gentlemen who think that the native police are of so little service had been there—if they had felt any sympathy for Cullin-la-ringo victims, they would have seen sufficient reason to entertain a different opinion, and I think their gratification would have compelled them to acknowledge their error. For my part I trust that the Government instead of decreasing the force, will endeavour to strengthen it' (SMH 10 December 1861, p. 5).
To this article the editor appended the news that, 'We are informed that, on the 26th or 27th ultimo, the Native Police overtook the tribe of natives who committed the late outrage at Nogoa, and succeeded in driving them into a place from whence escape was impossible. They then shot down sixty or seventy, and they only ceased firing upon them when their ammunition was expended. One of the blacks who was shot, cried out, "Me no kill white fellow!" showing plainly they well comprehended the proceeding. Some firearms and other property in their possession were recovered' (SMH 10 December 1861, p. 5).
In his summary of the events, Governor Bowen wrote, 'On the 24th of October they [the Native Police] arrived by forced marches at the late Mr Wills' station, and on the following day, Lieut Cave and his eight troopers started in pursuit of the Blacks... Lieut. Cave's report to his Commanding Officer states that he had followed up the tracks of the murderers for four days, when he came up with them on the 28th October. After a skirmish in broken ground, during which several were killed, "the remainder retreated to the top of a high hill, the front of which was almost perpendicular; and on our riding nearer, the Blacks gave us to understand most unmistakeably their intention of holding their ground. I retired" continues Lieut. Cave, "a sufficient distance to be completely out of their sight, and camped. Towards sundown, knowing the blacks to be still in the same position, I proceeded cautiously with the Troopers on foot. Two I posted in front of the hill; and with the others I climbed quietly to the top at the back. A shot from one of my men was the first intimation the Blacks had of our approach; when finding themselves surprised and nearly surrounded, they made no[?] stand. Their loss was heavy; and I consider that many were killed from falling over the cliffs' (QSA GOV/23/61/74 (DR110747) ITM17671, pp 125-126). The location provided is an estimate based on the description but there are many sheer cliffs within 4 days' ride of Cullin-la-Ringo.
SourcesQSA COL/A23/61/2812 (DR57340) ITM846753, p 140 https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM846753; Bowen to Newcastle, 16 Dec. 1861, QSA GOV/23/61/74 (DR110747) ITM17671 https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM3682012; SMH 10 December 1861, p. 5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13060056; (Sources PDF)
Corroboration Rating***