Dec 1846 happenings

The South Australian detachment continues to cause trouble, but also enjoy a regatta. Some members of the 11th began the detachment to 'North Australia', and the alarm over deserters from the 11th Regiment continues in Victoria.


South Australian
Wednesday 2 December 1846
Monday November 30.

Jemmy Moorhouse, an aboriginal native, was charged with being drunk and violently assaulting Corporal Smith of the Royal Sappers and Miners and private James Manders of the 11th regiment; and Jemmy Elder, another of the same tribe was also charged with obstructing police constable Haynes in the execution of his duty. 

Mr Moorhouse appeared on behalf of the prisoner. 

William Smith stated, as he was returning from Church, the prisoner Jemmy Moorhouse called out, "Soldier, will you fight?" and running after him tucked up his shirt sleeves and knocked him down with his fists. His bayonet fell out of its scabard, and the prisoner tried to get hold of it. After he had knocked him down, he ran to the wurly, and got a spear which two or three of his comrades got from him. He went for the police who took handcuffs and chains, but it was no use to endeavour to manage him. The blacks were all in such a state of excitement he was sure they would have speared them. He (Moorhouse) was going to spear Manders of the 11th regiment, had they not taken it away from him. 

The prisoner admitted being "tipsy" and could not recollect what occurred. 

James Manders, private in the 11th regiment, stated the prisoner, Moorhouse, ran towards him as he was going across the bridge towards North Adelaide. He had a large stone in his hand which he threw at him. It struck him upon his hand. The other prisoner caught him by the shoulders, and turned him round, endeavouring to get him away. The prisoner Moorhouse then said, "What for you b----y white man come into my country, to take it from me?" Witness went to the police station and procured the assistance of constable Haynes, who put a chain round Moorhouse's neck. The prisoner slipped his head from under it, and the rest of the blacks came to his assistance, and begged for him not to go. The policeman thought it would be better to leave the blacks until he got more assistance. The mounted police came, and eventually removed the two prisoners. The elder one was very unwilling to go. 

Police-constable Haynes said, whilst on duty on Sunday afternoon at the station-house, he was informed by Corporal Smith and the private of the 11th that there was a drunken native who had assaulted them at the location. Witness went down and found the prisoner Moorhouse very drunk and violent. Witness threw a chain over his head, but the other natives came up and would not let him go. "Jemmy Elder" was one of the most forward present. He came and took the prisoner Moorhouse away. Mr Moorhouse told his Worship both prisoners knew sufficient of the English language to understand any observations he might make to them. 

His Worship calling to "Jemmy Elder" told him, he did not find him guilty of assault. It appeared he had done all be could to prevent a breach of the peace. Though he had no business to interfere with the police in the execution of their duty, be might go. To "Jemmy Moorhouse" his Worship remarked, he had been guilty of very gross misconduct in getting drunk and disturbing the peace without any provocation. He might think the matter viewed in a very lenient form by being fined £5 or two months' imprisonment. The prisoner  Moorhouse," with a very rueful countenance, saw his companion unfettered, whilst he himself was walked away to gaol.

The Australian (Sydney, NSW) 

Thursday 3 December 1846

COUNTRY NEWS
MELBOURNE

DESERTERS. — Two men named James McDowell and Robert Anthony Davidson were brought into town on Saturday morning by Trooper Robinson, on suspicion of being deserters from the 11th Regiment. They were apprehended at the station of Mr. Daniel Jennings, Campaspie Plains. On being brought before his Worship the Mayor yesterday morning, McDowell admitted his desertion, but Davidson persevered in protesting his innocence, asserting that he had arrived in Sydney in Oct. 1841, as a cabin passenger per Florentia ; that he was of highly respectable connections at home and in New South Wales, his uncle being master of the Sydney college, in consequence of which, he felt a diffidence in assuming his genuine name in the character of a shepherd. There were many magistrates in the Sydney District and about Yass who could testify to the accuracy of his assertions, as well as Lieut. W. T. Good, of the 11th Regiment, who was a schoolfellow of his. McDowell was remanded to be forwarded to Launceston, and the other was remanded for an hour in order to have the evidence of a person named Henry Miller, whom be stated to have been an acquaintance of his. This man deposed to his knowledge of the prisoner, and his having received letters and papers from Sydney directed to him ; that about six months ago he had been in the habit of going through the streets of Melbourne in an undisguiscd manner. Corroborative of this was a statement of a soldier of the 11th, who was of opinion that the prisoner did not belong to the 11th. In consequence of these facts the bench ordered him to be discharged, and cautioned by the trooper to be more circumspect in future before arresting persons without having some strong grounds for such a proceeding. Melbourne Herald, November 24.

The Australian
Thursday 3 December 1846

The Victoria - The last benefit, and last night of the season, takes place this evening, at the Theatre, being for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs. - A very attractive bill of fare has been published, comprising a new Opera; two acts of Othello, with various entertainments. Before the rising of the curtain for the last piece — The 'Gentleman in Difficulties', the Manager (Mr. Lazar) will deliver an Address on the closing of the season. The Benefits, generally, throughout the season, have been good, and although the last, there is no doubt Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs' will be as good as the best, which they well deserve. While upon the subject, we cannot but remark upon the splendid attendance on Monday night, for Mrs. Ximenes' benefit, the boxes being beautified with an unusual muster of well dressed ladies. The excellent Band of the 11th Regiment delighted the audience between the acts, on that night, with animating galop and waltz, enriched with pure classical harmony, such as a German theorist would be sure to cultivate. The Overtures of Beatriz di Jenda by Bellini, and Cenerentola by Rossini, both in E flat Major, were performed in perfect style.

South Australian
Friday 4 December 1846

POLICE COMMISSIONER'S COURT

Thursday, December 3.

Joseph Dinham, Thomas Donahue, Terance Creeden, and Dennis Dunn, privates in the 11th Regiment, appeared to answer the information of John Brooks, for an assault committed at the Eagle Tavern, Hindley-street.

The quarrel between the parties arose out of a drunken row over a bagatelle table.

His Worship, in accordance with the evidence produced, fined Thomas Donahue 5s, and discharged the other prisoners.

Launceston Examiner

Wednesday 16 December 1846

Shipping Intelligence

LAUNCESTON

ARRIVALS. December 12.-Steamer Shamrock, 200 tons, George Gilmore, master, from Sydney and Port Phillip; John Thompson, agent. Passengers:- Messrs. Bates, Elden, Powlett, Robertson, Rev. Mr. Beagley. Dr. Rowe, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Grote, Mr. Crealowe, Mr. Marsh, Mr. Hunt, Mrs. Swanston, 2 Misses Swanston and servant, Mr. Swanston, Mrs. Cassell, Miss Gibbs, W. Cook. T. Ward, Mr. Pullen, S. Land, J. Porter, J. Carder, J. Lancaster, J. Butler, Mr. Candsturt., Mars Canarsey, 2 soldiers 58th regiment, 2 deserters 11th regiment.

The Courier (Hobart, Tas)

Wednesday 23 December 1846 
The Sir Robert Peel proceeds on to Sydney immediately, after having landed the detachment of the 11th regiment. Of the 301 persons on board, exclusive of the crew, 52 are women and 79 children. Lieutenant-Colonel Gold is in command.

The Regatta is described by the South Australian Gazette as being a very splendid affair. The sports of the day commenced with a sailing match for boats under 10 tons. The Red Rover carried off the first prize (£30) and Mr. Bayly's Saucy Jack took the second (£10). While the race was being contested, the spectators were amused with pulling matches and second-class sailing-boats. The fourth race of the day was with five-oared whale-boats. After this race an amateur match was got up. Three gigs started, and the challengers were beaten by the Britannia's gig, manned by Messrs. Haimes, Gemmel Bewes (11th regiment) and J. Emmett; steered by Mr. James Stein. The overlanders were last. In the evening the parties who had backed the overlanders offered £90 to £30 against the winners. This challenge was accepted, and the match came off on the following evening. The Adelaide gentlemen were again victorious. 

The Cornwall Chronicle

Wednesday 23 December 1846

HOBART TOWN SHIPPING. 

Dec. 21. Sir Robert Peel (troop ship), 625 tons, Champion, from London, with detachments of the 65th, 99th, 68th, and the 11th infantry. Lieutenant-Colonel Gold in command. The following is a list of particulars respecting the several detachments:— Lieutenant Colonel Gold, 65th regiment, lady, and four children; Captain Wilson, 96th regiment; Captain Singley, 99th regiment ; Captain Gregg, 96th regiment ; Lieutenant Eleves, 65th regiment ; Ensign Cameron, 11th regiment ; Assistant-Surgeon Clifford, (Staff) 16 sergeants, 45 rank and file, 61 women, and 79 children, 65th regiment; 47 rank and file, 1 woman, and 1 child, 11th regiment ; 21 rank and file, 58th regiment ; 87 rank and file, 99th regiment ; 1 rank and file, 96th regiment. Passengers for Sydney, James Moore, wife, and two children.

The Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday 30 December 1846

MILITARY MOVEMENTS -The following troops are to be forwarded to North Australia, viz. - One captain, one subaltern, four sergeants, and sixty-four rank and file, all belonging to the 99th regiment. Of this force, Captain Day, two sergeants, and twenty rank and file will embark tomorrow at 1 PM on board the Lord Auckland for their destination. The remaining portion of them, viz , one subaltern, two sergeants, with forty-four rank and file will proceed to that settlement in a vessel to be hereafter named. According to the above arrangement, Captain Day will, on arrival, have the command of the whole troops in that settlement. The Head Quarters of the 11th regiment are under orders for Hobart Town, and will embark in a few days on board the Java.