May 1846

The members of the 11th stationed in Hobart and Adelaide are doing a particularly good job of getting into trouble this month (driven by both liquor and racism), and the hangover from last month's love scandal in Sydney continues in the press. In a more formal role, the 11th contributed to the events in Sydney associated with the Queen's birthday celebrations.

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 5 May 1846
HOBART TOWN POLICE REPORT

Symonds v. Beaumont.

This was an information against Mr. W. G. Beaumont, of the Old Wharf, for one of the many breaches of the Licensing Act, in not having his outer door closed after ten o'clock at night - in other words for serving a customer with some spirituous liquor.

The case is simply as follows :-Two soldiers of the 11th Regiment, named Crawford and Rich, went to Mr Beaumont's house, which adjoins the Barracks, serving as a Canteen, after ten o'clock on the night of the 16th of April, and called for a pint of Rum, which was put into a bottle and taken away : it was afterwards taken from them by Serjeant-Major Quinlan in the guard-room ; neither of the men had anything to drink in the house, nor was the spirit paid for : Crawford, it appeared, was on guard, and Rich ought to have gone at eleven, but did not. Serjeant Walsh stated, that he and his wife lodged at Mr. Beaumont's, and that on coming to his quarters on the night in question, he found the two soldiers in the bar, and immediately ordered them to the Barracks, himself following them ; in the guard-room the spirit was taken from Rich by Serjeant Quinlan. Mr. Walsh, also affirmed, that Mr. Beaumont kept a very regular and orderly house, closing the door at ten o'clock, and frequently before that time.

Mr. Beaumont said that he was extremely particular in keeping his house, and always had been ; he considered the present case as bearing very hard upon him, as it was impossible a publican could always be upon his guard against such accidents ; the rum was not sold to the men, nor had it been paid for.

Mr. Price observed, that it mattered not, whether the spirit had been paid or not, the publican was equally liable : his Worship considered the supplying of soldiers with drink a dangerous practice, and one which ought to be stopped : the Bench therefore imposed a fine of 60s. and costs upon Mr. Beaumont.

[We quite coincide with Mr. Beaumont as to the hardness of his case: if an offender

against an Act, which is full of traps and pit-falls, is to be punished in accordance with the amount of the delinquency committed, we certainly think that Mr. Beaumont has been hardly dealt with : the wide range of fines, comprised by the Act gives a large latitude to the officiating Justices, and we do opine that much care, consideration, and liberality too, ought to be exhibited, no less in the construction of its clauses, than in the imposition of its penalties. -EDITOR.]


South Australian Register (Adelaide)
Wednesday 6 May 1846

THE "BRANKENMOOR."

THIS ship came round from Encounter Bay, where she put in in stress of weather, on Monday last, with a detachment of the 11th Regiment, from Hobart Town, to replace the 96th ordered hence to Van Diemen's Land. The new detachment comprises four officers with ninety rank and file who are accompanied by their wives (12) and children (25). The names of the officers will be found in our port news. She also brings twenty-two passengers and several horses.

Local News.          

The following are the officers of the 11th Regiment just arrived: - Captain Webster, Lieutenant Bemes, Ensign Rowe, and Dr Marshall, Surgeon.

Launceston Examiner (Tas)

Saturday 9 May 1846

SPRING BAY. - On Tuesday, 21st April, this little township was quite enlivened by an entertainment given by Captain Kenny, commanding a detachment of the 11th regiment. The amusements of the evening commenced with an amateur theatrical performance by the men of the detachment. The pieces selected were "Fortune's Frolic, or the Ploughman turned Lord;" then singing; and concluded with "Robert Macaire, or the Murderers of Lyons." The stage was excellently arranged, and the scenery and drop scene, painted by Captain Kenny, were executed in a masterly and pleasing style. All the per formers acted well, entering into the spirit of their characters; and the curtain fell amidst universal applause. The company then went to the ball-room, which was adorned in the most tasteful manner with military arms, festoons, &c., and the sides decorated with various devices, ,which were much admired for the taste and ingenuity displayed. Dancing commenced, and the bright eyes gave additional lustre to the room, and time passed unheeded. At one supper was announced, and the party sat down to an elegant repast. The usual toasts were given in champagne; prominent amongst these "The Ladies," to which a gentleman, universally allowed to be the ladies' man, responded. After supper dancing was continued with unwearied spirit, till bright Phoebus disputed dominion with Melpomene, and was over anxious to view the fairy forms mingling in the mazy dance. The unceasing exertions of the kind entertainer to promote the happiness of the evening were crowned with complete success; and everybody departed pleased with the night's gaiety, and wishing prosperity to the gallant 11th - the Salamanca heroes! -Communicated.

South Australian (Adelaide)

Tuesday 12 May 1846

Saturday, May 9. Thomas Reynolds, a private belonging to a detachment of the 11th Regiment lately arrived from Van Diemen's Land, was brought up from the station house, charged with being drunk and assaulting the police.

Captain Webster, the officer in command, sat on the Bench and watched the proceedings.

Joshua Brown, P.C., deposed, that about nine o'clock the previous evening, he proceeded to the   house of William Reid, sergeant of police, where he found the prisoner and other soldiers creating a   disturbance ; took the prisoner and another into custody ; the prisoner was very drunk, and kicked witness in the face - the other soldier escaped.

Henry Deane, P.C., who accompanied the last witness, stated he found the prisoner on the ground, and took him into custody, but he was so very outrageous it was absolutely necessary to put on the twitch ; while lying on the ground, prisoner threw up his leg and kicked P. C. Brown on the side of the head ; took the prisoner to the station house ; he was very troublesome, and threatened to stick them

By the Court - The prisoner was very much in liquor, and foamed at the mouth like a mad dog.

William Reid, sergeant of police, about nine o'clock heard parties running towards his house,

threatening to get in ; went out of doors and found the prisoner, with two other soldiers, very noisy ; they had belts in their hands, which they flourished about and threatened to strike him ; defended himself with a stick and kept them off; called out "police," when police constables Dean and Brown

came up, and took the prisoner and another into custody. William Reid, the elder, was at his son's house, about nine o'clock ; hearing a rush at the door, went out and found Mrs Fleming very much distressed, endeavouring to get in ; two natives were fighting with the prisoner ; a scuffle ensued, when three other soldiers appeared with belts in their hands, and began striking furiously at the sergeant ; the police constables came up, and the prisoner was captured.

By the Court - The prisoner was very outrageous, and wanted to give Mr Fleming a thrashing, who appeared nearly exhausted, and said nothing to excite the prisoner.

William Thomas Fleming, of the Reed Beds, stated that he went into a public house for some yeast, with two natives, who had been in his service about seven years, when the prisoner attacked the blacks: witness endeavoured to pacify and restrain the prisoner, but he immediately turned on him (witness), a number of soldiers rushed out, yelling, and threatened to strike him - holding up their fists in his face. The black fellows pointed to Sergeant Reid's house, whither he retreated : the prisoner   having been knocked down by the natives, prevented the soldiers overtaking him.

Mr Fleming characterised the affair as unprovoked and villainous, that his life had been saved by the blackfellows, as the Soldiers appeared mad from drink, and were pursuing him like hellhounds, until kept at bay by the natives, whree he obtained shelter in the house of the police sergeant.

The prisoner, in defence, merely stated "He was too drunk to know anything about it."

The Commissioner observed that, from the evidence of Mr Fleming, it was very difficult to

arrive at the origin of the affray, but to convince the military they were not to kick up rows of assault the police, he would make an example of the prisoner by inflicting a fine of £3. The prisoner, having no means of satisfying the same, was marched of with a billet on Her Majesty's Gaoler for one calendar month's drill.

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday 15 May 1846

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
ARRIVALS.

May 14.-Louisa, brig, 162 tons, Captain Milton, from Hobart Town the 6th instant. Passengers- Mr and Mrs. Hart, son, and servant, Mrs. Stewart and two sons, Mr. Narcout, Lieutenant Goode of the 11th Regiment, Mr. T. D. Burner., Mr. Phillips, Mr. F. Saunders, Mr. Ellsbury, Mr. D. Rees, Mr. and Mrs, W. Barclay, Mr. H. E Wise, and 13 privates of the 11th Regiment.

South Australian (Adelaide)

Tuesday 19 May 1846

POLICE OFFICE

Before B.T. FINNIS, Esq., Commissioner

Friday, May 15.
John Blatchford was brought up in custody on suspicion of having unlawfully obtained possession of a regimental great coat.    

James Gibbs, a private of the 11th regiment of Foot, stated he was not acquainted with the prisoner, but the coat produced was left in charge of the landlord of the Joiners' Arms, Morphett-street, the previous day.
William Bowden, a comrade, was carrying dinners with Gibbs, and fell in with the prisoner ; went into a public house, and gave Gibb's great coat to the prisoner, who had no opportunity of returning it, as he (witness) was picked up by the picquet and taken to the guard room.

Richard Ward, police constable, was on duty in Hindley-street, and found the prisoner about one o'clock in the morning ; he had on the coat produced, which he said a soldier gave him in exchange for a silk handkerchief.
The Commissioner discharged the prisoner, but recommended him to be more careful in future, as; by the Mutiny Act, the mere possession of regimentals rendered him liable to a fine of twenty pounds.

Sydney Morning Herald
Friday 22 May 1846

REVIEW.-His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir Maurice O'Connell, Commander of the Forces, reviewed the 11th Regiment in the Outer Domain on Wednesday morning. His Excellency was attended by the officers of his staff. A considerable number of spectators were assembled to witness the evolutions, the precision and accuracy of which elicited his Excellency's warm approval.

Sydney Morning Herald

 Monday 25 May 1846

The Eleventh Regiment.- His Excellency the Commander of the Forces, having completed the half-yearly inspection of this gallant corps, which was commenced in the Outer Domain, on Wednesday last, has expressed his approbation of the state of the troops which he had inspected in the following general order: - "Sydney, 21st May, 1846.-The Lieutenant-General Commanding, having completed the half-yearly inspection of the head-quarters of the 11th regiment, feels it due to Lieutenant-Colonel Bloomfield, the commanding officer, to express the great pleasure he derived from that inspection. The appearance of the regiment in the field, their steadiness, the masterly manner in which they moved, and the regularity of the firing, elicited the Lieutenant-General's entire approbation. His Excellency begs that Lieutenant-Colonel Bloomfield will accept and convey to the officers of the regiment, the high sense he entertains of their attention to all the duties of the regiment, by which it has attained such a state of perfection. He also begs to convey to the non-commissioned officers and men his general approbation, not only of their appearance, and performance in the field, but also of their general steady and regular conduct in quarters. The Lieutenant-General has pleasure in stating that he has not had a single complaint of the regiment since it came into quarters at Sydney. By command, &c (Signed) E. M. O'connell, Captain, Major of Brigade."

Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 26 May 1846
DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.
THE QUEEN'S BIRTH DAY.
THE 24th of May, the anniversary of the birth of our Most Gracious Queen, falling on a Sunday, the ceremonies which attend its celebration were postponed until yesterday.
At the usual hour in the morning the Royal Standard was hoisted on the tower of Govern- ment House, and the Union Jack at Dawes's Battery, and the usual plans. Most of the ships in port were dressed with a great number of flags of almost every description, and the foreign Consuls hoisted their respective flags at their offices.
The troops in garrison, consisting of the head quarters and three hundred rank and file of the 11th Regiment,commanded by Colonel Bloom- field, and the head quarters, with one hundred and fifty of the 99th Regiment, commanded by Colonel Despard, marched to the outer Domain, and at the conclusion of the Royal salute, fired from Fort Phillip, gave the usual feu de joi, and after three cheers for the Queen, marched past His Excellency the Commander of the Forces in slow and quick time, and then returned to the Barracks. A guard of honour, consisting of fifty rank and file of the 11th Regiment, with the band and regimental colours of the 11th Regiment, commanded by Captain Jenner, proceeding to Government House, where they remained during the levee.

Morning Chronicle (Sydney)
Wednesday 27 May 1846
HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.-On Monday last, the citizens of Sydney were entertained with a variety of sports in the Barrack Square, under the distinguished patronage of Colonel Bloomfield, and the officers of the 11th regiment as fine a body of men as ever we have seen in this Colony. The sports, which commenced a little after three o'clock, consisted of soldiers racing in sacks, wheeling hand-barrows with their eyes blindfolded, climbing a greasy pole, throwing a fifty-six pound weight, a foot race, and other amusements. The Barrack Square, was literally thronged with spectators : and the greatest order and regularity prevailed, chiefly through the good management of the officers and soldiers, who manifested the greatest courtesy and politeness to all present. We think Colonel Bloomfield is deserving of great praise for the active part he took, in getting up such a list of sports.

South Australian (Adelaide)
Friday 29 May 1846
SEDUCTION.
The following verses were written on the occasion of the recent seduction of a beautiful girl by Capt. Cockburn, of the 11th Regiment, now quartered in Sydney, which appears to have caused considerable excitement throughout the colony. They were to have been inserted in the Spectator of Saturday week, and were forwarded to us by our Sydney correspondent. -ED. P. P. H.]

We cannot sufficiently execrate the wretch, who could wager on his success as a seducer; and as to those who accepted such a wager, we can look on them in no other light than as aiders, abetters, and participators in his crime.