September 1846 happenings

The papers this month give insights into the movement of goods belonging to members of the 11th, not just the movement of people. The main stuff being moved around is wine, perhaps not surprising. In the case of the import of wine by the paymaster of the 11th, 1 'pipe' is an old unit of volume measurement equating to approximately 475 to 480 litres! Curiously, to contrast this trade, the teetotal members of the 11th held a tea party that earned great reviews in Adelaide (probably enthusiastically received given some of the alcohol-fuelled stories of the past few months).

The month also follows the unfolding drama of deserters from the 11th Regiment posting in the Melbourne settlement.


Sydney Morning Herald
Monday 7 September 1846
EXPORTS
September 5th, Coquette, schooner, 72 tons, Captain Whitfield, for Adelaide.... 5 cases of wine, Officers of the 11th Regiment.

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas.)

Friday 11 September 1846

Shipping Intelligence
Port of Launceston

Sept. 7. Arrived the brig Raven, Bell, master, from Hobart Town, with troops 11th regiment.

Sept. 9. Sailed the brig Raven, Bell, master, for Hobart Town, in ballast. Passengers-Dr. Lucas, Lieutenant Curra, Lieutenant Rattie, 96th regiment, Mr. Charles Swan, 160 rank and file 96th regiment, 20 women, 13 children.

Friday 11 September 1846
The Melbourne Argus
Desertion.-The offence of desertion appears to be particularly rife in this district ; on the 5th instant one, and on the 2th instant, three privates of the 11th Regiment, belonging to the detachment stationed here, deserted, making fifteen out of the handful of men thought sufficient to protect the province, who within a few months' have deserted their colors. The names of those men are:- George Ford, John Court, Robert Hill and Thomas Health

The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas)
Saturday 12 September 1846

CARRICK.

Military. — On Monday evening a detachment of the 11th Regiment, en route from Launceston to Westbury, arrived at Carrick about five o'clock, when one of the men being sick, and the party under orders to proceed to Westbury tbat night, it was thought necessary by tbe officer in command to press a conveyance for the sick man. All the houses in the neighbourhood were sought for this purpose, but in vain ; and it was not until a cart belonging to Mr Thomas Symonds, of Moat Farm, was passing through the town, that the soldiers could succeed in obtaining any kind of carriage to convey their sick and wearied comrade. The cart, containing Mr. Symonds, with his wife and family — in all nine persons, was immediately pressed into regimental service, and the family party received an intimation to give up immediate possession. In vain did Mr. Symonds plead the impossibility of his being able to reach home with his family, the soldiers persisted in their demand, and it was only by tbe interference of bystanders that they at last agreed to allow Mr. Symonds to proceed to bis residence, on his promising to send them a conveyance immediately on his arrival home. This arrangement was carried into effect, and the detachment was thus enabled to reach West bury some time during the night. The power of pressing a conveyance in this manner into the service of the array may be perfectly legal, and no one may doubt its propriety in certain cases; in this instance however, nothing but absolute necessity ought to be considered a sufficient reason for taking possession of a conveyance which was at the time actually occupied by a whole family, on the way to a home which could not have been reached without this or some other conveyance; and which, but for the firm remonstrance of Mr. Symonds and the interference of friends, would have put him to the expense of remaining with his family at an inn for the night.

Sydney Morning Herald
Monday 14 September 1846

IMPORTS
September 13.-Louisa, brig, 182 tons, Million, from Hobart Town... 1 pipe wine, Paymaster of the 11th Regiment.

Geelong Advertiser and Squatters' Advocate (Vic)
Wednesday 16 September 1846
On Sunday last we witnessed the solemn and affecting spectacle of a soldier's funeral, which was conducted with all the decorum and circumstance possible in so small a garrison. The deceased was a private in the 11th Regiment, named John Gready, formerly of Timmo, four miles from Wexford, in Ireland. Amongst the disciplined attendants and spectators of the unfrequent spectacle, were the native boys and girls belonging to the Aborigines' School, who seemed to take great interest in the proceedings. The place of interment was the Catholic cemetery, and thither the sable attendants accompanied the soldier's remains ; but when, upon the conclusion of the services of the Catholic Church, the firing party prepared to bestow the last military honours, the young blacks, of both sexes, took to their heels; and could hardly persuade themselves they were in whole skins, until the firing and mournful strains had given place to the quick returning step and lifely air.

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas)
Tuesday 22 September 1846

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.  

PORT OF HOBART TOWN.

September 17.-Sailed the brig Haven, Bell, master, for Launceston, with a detachment of the 11th Regiment. 

The Melbourne Argus (Vic)
Tuesday 22 September 1846

Domestic Intelligence

A DESERTER.-Yesterday, John Court, one of the deserters from the detachment of the 11th Regiment of Foot, stationed in Melbourne, was brought before Mr. Hull, J. P., in custody of a Serjeant's guard. Mr. Hull directed the prisoner to be given over to the custody of the military, to be dealt with by martial law.

South Australian Register (Adelaide)
Wednesday 23 September 1846

IMPORTS

Cargo of the Coquette...  2 casks ale, 3 casks and 5 cases wine, 11th Regiment.

Launceston Examiner (Tas)
Wednesday 23 September 1846
September 21.-Brig Raven, 170 tons, Bell, master, from Hobart Town, with a detachment of the 11th regiment.

South Australian (Adelaide, SA)
Friday 25 September 1846

MILITARY TEA MEETING. - The privates and non-commissioned officers of the 11th Regiment, most of whom belong to the Adelaide Total Abstinence Society, invited their friends and the members of the society to a social tea meeting, on Tuesday evening last, September 22nd, 1846. The arrangments were complete, and reflected great credit on the taste of the conductors. A portion of the great barrack room was appropriated, and neatly adorned for the occasion. At the entrance, the Union Jack stretched its broad folds, across, and underneath, a silk banner, with "Total Abstinence" written on it. An active, smart young soldier escorted the guests to their seats, and politely attended. The pillars on each side were ornamented with three muskets and a half circle of bristling bayonets. With "XI" entwined among the leaves ; at the top of the room, a large star of bayonets blazoned forth, surrounded with nine lights, and the letter V. R. Immediately above, a flag with seven words told the glories of the 11th- "Salamanca, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula." Down the middle was a long table laden with tea, cake, &c., of the first quality, and the whole was relieved by a dense canopy of boughs. The soldiers were in smart undress, which, with their military air, gave to the scene a most picturesque appearance. Among the visiters, we noticed the President, Mr C. S. Hare, the secretary, Mr W. A. Cawthorne, and other leading teetotal friends. Upwards of eighty sat down to tea, during which, the commanding officer, Captain Webster, with several ladies and gentlemen, paid them a visit, and seemed highly delighted ; after grace, the tables were removed, and Mr C. S. Hare called to the chair. The place was crowded, and in the background we observed the officers and their friends, who remained tbere till near the close of the meeting. The chairman expressed his great delight in thus meeting his military friends, especially under such auspicious circumstances ; he then adverted to the principles of the society, and hoped the military and the civil would always meet Ams and establish a unity of kindly feeting. He congratulated them on a Conquest, greater than the conquest of their enemies viz.-the triumph over bad habits. After dwelling, at some length, on the beneficial results of Total Abstinence, he called upon Mr Reynolds to address the meeting, who, in a lengthy Speech, powerfully advocated the cause. Mr Cole spoke next, and was followed by two or three others. The meeting was then enlivened by a quartette of amateur singers, who sang "Our Native Land." Sergeant Lewis next addressed the meeting, and made a most loyal, pithy, and soldier like speech, and sat down amidst great applause. Then Glorious Apollo" followed; several speeches and pieces succeeded, and the whole concluded with "God Save the Queen" by the whole company, standing. The meeting broke up at ten, and seven signatures were obtained ; all separated with feelings the most pleasing, and, undoubtedly, the recollections of the night will not be easily effaced, and more than one will concur with us in saying, that wherever the 5th company of the 11th may he called they have our warmest wishes for their individual and collective welfare.

Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday 23 September 1846

AUSTRALIAN FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE Members are informed that the next Exhibition will take place on Wednesday, the 30th of September, in the Market-place, letter A, under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor, when prizes will be awarded as usual. Members only will be admitted, with their families, from 12 A.M. to 1 P.M. ; members' and visitors' tickets may be obtained from Mr. J. Bibb, Macquarie-street.

N.B.-The Band of the 11th Regiment will, by permission of Colonel Bloomfield, be in attendance.

R. HIPKISS,

Secretary.

The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas)
Saturday 26 September 1846
The 11th Regiment. — The military force at present in Launceston, consists of about 200 rank and file, under the command of Major Singleton. The headquarters are expected to arrive from Sydney much sooner than was anticipated, when it is hoped the town will be again enlivened with the performances of the Band, the absence of which is a serious deprivation to the votaries of martial music. In the meantime, the fife and drum performances have their usual attractions, especially on the Sunday morning march to and from Church. We perceive that the Officers' mess-room is undergoing considerable repairs, and workmen are engaged in making several alterations at the Barracks, for the convenience of the military.

The Melbourne Argus (Vic)
Tuesday 29 September 1846

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

DESERTERS.—On Friday two deserters from the 11th Regiment now stationed in Mel-   bourne, named Thomas Heath and Robert Hall, were brought before his Worship the Mayor, and having confessed their offence, his Worship di- rected that they should be handed over to the commanding officer of the detachment, to be dealt with according to martial law.