Site NameLittle Gregory
Aboriginal Place NameJudbarra
Language GroupNgarinyman, Karrangpurru, Nungali, Malngin, Wardaman, Ngaliwurru, Bilinara
Present State/TerritoryNT
Colony/State/Territory at the timeSA
Police DistrictGordon Creek
Latitude-16.756
Longitude130.381
DateBetween 1 Nov 1895 and 30 Nov 1895
Attack TimeDay
VictimsAboriginal People
Victim Descriptions
Victims Killed10
Victims Killed Notes
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsPastoralist(s)
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed Notes
TransportHorse
MotiveReprisal
Weapons UsedFirearm(s)
NarrativeThis incident was a daylight attack on Paddy Cahill who had a reputation for his ability to shoot accurately at a gallop on horseback. Lewis (2004, pp 247-248) wrote: ‘In November 1895, Paddy Cahill took a mob of horses from Katherine to the Depot where he had arranged to meet the Government Resident, Charles Dashwood. As he was crossing the Little Gregory Creek about fourteen miles from its junction with the Victoria River he was attacked by Aborigines. In his words: "We had just started from the luncheon camp and had hardly gone 300 yards when I noticed some very fresh black's tracks. Knowing that the blacks were very bad in that part of the country I took my rifle from under my saddle flap and filled it with cartridges. I rode on a few yards when one of my boys cried out, 'Look out Paddy!' I knew the blacks must be behind me, so I dodged down alongside my horse's shoulder, and only just in time. A spear struck my hat, going through it, and giving me hard knock on the head. Luckily I am Irish, and a bit thickheaded, so it did very little harm! Before I could say a word, I had niggers all around. I could do nothing but shoot as quickly as possible, and I can shoot fairly quickly. I don't know how many niggers I shot-I didn't stop to count them”. (SA Register September 4, 1900, p 6) Cahill continued on and was followed by the Aborigines for several days and nights, but was not attacked again.'
SourcesLewis, 2004, pp 247-248; Cahill, letter, SA Register, September 4, 1900 p 6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/54530870 (Sources PDF)
Corroboration Rating***