Site NameMimosa Creek, Dawson River
This massacre is part of a group of massacres
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Place Name
Language Group, Nation or PeopleMandalgu
Present State/TerritoryQLD
Colony/State/Territory at the timeQLD
Police DistrictLeichhardt
Latitude-24.168
Longitude149.476
Date10 Dec 1861
Attack TimeDay
VictimsAboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
Victim Descriptions
Victims Killed10
Victims Killed Notes
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsNative Police
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed Notes
TransportHorse
MotiveReprisal
Weapons UsedFirearm(s)
NarrativeFollowing the Cullin-la-Ringo massacre and immediate reprisals of colonists and the Native Police, reinforcements of Native Police under Captain Bligh were ordered to the area. Governor Bowen wrote, 'Captain Bligh, the Commandant of the Native Police Corps (a grandson of the celebrated Bligh of the "Bounty" and who was afterwards Governor of New South Wales,) was ordered by my Government to march in person with re-inforcements to the Nogoa River. He reports that the country is now perfectly quiet, and that three patrols are traversing it in various directions' (QSA GOV/23/61/74 (DR110747) ITM17671, p 127).
In his report of 2nd December, 1861, describing the 3 main patrols despatched, Captain Bligh added, '...I heard of two or three other large war parties, and recieved many complaints from squatters, travellers and others, particularly from W Thompson of Roxburgh. I have consequently sent NP Cadet Johnson with a strong detachment to that locality he left here this day' (QSA COL/A23/61/3038 (DR57340) ITM846753, p 140).
In a letter dated 22 December, 1861, to headquarters in Rockhamption Native Police Cadet Johnson wrote that while patrolling the lower Dawson, 'I visited "Roxborough" & was informed that a very large mob of Blacks had been gathering, for some time, in a large scrub near that Station; for the purpose of holding a "Boora", & that they had stolen 30 sheep & threatened to murder the shepherds. On the 6th I proceeded to the scrub to disperse them as soon as they saw me coming up - the Blacks numbering about 300 attacked me, and I was compelled to fire upon them. They then retreated I followed to be certain that they dispersed. On the 7th I again came up with the Blacks when they at once made off in two mobs - I followed the party that made up "Ramsay" Creek, & on the 8th came up with, & effectually dispersed them. I then followed on the tracks of the other party towards the Comet & on the 10th came up with them on Mimmossa Creek. The Blacks again attacked me, & I was obliged to fire upon them, 10 fell, & the rest dispersed; from the number of their "Tomahawks" & other articles in the possession of the last mob of Blacks, & from the direction in which they were going I am of opinion they were some of the Murdering of Mr. Will's party' (QSA COL/A26/62/823, (DR 112352.pdf pp1-3) ITM 3682014).
SourcesBowen to Newcastle, 16 Dec. 1861, QSA GOV/23/61/74 (DR110747) ITM17671 https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM3682012; QSA COL/A23/61/3038 (DR57340) ITM846753, p 140 https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM846753; QSA COL/A26/62/823, (DR 112352.pdf pp1-3) ITM 3682014 https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM3682014 (Sources PDF)
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