“EUREKA - THE ATTACK ON THE STOCKADE AND THE EVENTS LEADING TO IT" by Peter Butters Part 7: 3 December 1854 - The Day of Reckoning Captain Atkinson of the 12th Regiment was left in charge when Captain Thomas led the forces from the Government Camp at 3am. Thomas recorded the attacking party as 'Mounted Military Force 30 (all ranks) with Lieut. Hall and Lieut. Gardyne, Mounted Police 70 (all ranks) with Sub-Inspectors Furnell, Langley, Chomley & Lieut. Cossack, 12th Regiment 65 (all ranks) with Capt. Queade and Lieut. Paul, 40th Regiment 87 (all ranks) with Capt. Wise, Lieut Bowdler, Lieut. Richards, Foot Police 24 (all ranks) with Sub Inspector Carter. Total Troops - Mounted 100, Foot 176' Historian Turner recorded, 'It can never be said accurately how many were in the Stockade when it was assaulted, but it is certain that the 700 or 800 who made it lively on Friday had dwindled to little more than a fourth. Probably there were not over 200 when the watch was set for the night, of whom barely fifty had rifles, as many more revolvers and old fashioned holster pistols , and a portion of the remainder pikes , axes , and pitchforks . It was Lalor 's misfortune that the lack of vigilance and discipline which allowed his forces to scatter, also made it easy for strangers to enter, with disastrous results. Amongst the most active participants in the drilling and organising, as well as the plans of the rebels, were a couple of troopers in the disguise of diggers, who managed to make their daily report to the Camp of what was going on.....' The ATTACK The Ballarat Times carried news of the attack in an edition of that day, Sunday the 3rd, the Geelong Advertiser the following day and by Tuesday other major newspapers in the Colony prominently displayed accounts. As could be expected, with accounts compiled quickly in the frenzied atmosphere some points varied. The Ballarat Times report, printed on the day of the attack featured black borders and included, 'The spectacle presented at the stockade this morning was sufficient to appall the stoutest heart. About twenty dead bodies (many of them riddled with balls), pikes, spent balls and pools of blood, showed where the contest had been most deadly. It is said that there were several more bodies, but that they were removed by friends early in the morning.' The Melbourne Argus had been constantly giving its readers progress reports on the circumstances at Ballarat. 'BY EXPRESS - FATAL COLLISION AT BALLARAT. Monday, 3 a.m. At the above hour a gentleman arrived at this office who had ridden through express, leaving Ballarat at half-past one yesterday. He brings the following disastrous report: (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) At four a.m. this morning (Sunday) the troopers advanced on the right of the Warrenheip Gully, and another division on the left of the Eureka line, encompassing the camp of the diggers. A shout was raised, and after a sharp firing of about twenty minutes the troopers called to the soldiers, who were advancing, that it was all over. The camp of the diggers was constructed of piles of slabs collected from neighbouring holes.' The report included, 'In the case of Captain Wise, amputation is considered necessary, he having received two wounds in the leg. This is but the beginning of the end. .... The reporter of the Ballarat 'Times' has been taken, and his life was with difficulty saved from the hands of the infuriated soldiers. .... Fifteen are lying dead in the Eureka Camp. Sixteen are dangerously wounded. A German has received five different wounds. The Eureka Camp, as well as the stores and tents in the neighbourhood, have been burnt to the ground, and considerable loss of property has ensued thereby .... Monday 4th December 1854. 'Melbourne Herald ' - 'I was attracted by the smoke of the tents burnt by the soldiers, and there a most appalling site presented itself. Many more are said to have been killed and wounded, but I myself saw eleven dead bodies of diggers lying within a very small space of ground, and the earth was besprinkled with blood, and covered with the smoking mass of tents recently occupied. Could the Government but have seen the awful sight presented at Ballarat on this Sabbath morning- the women in tears, mourning over their dead relations, and the blood-bespattered countenances of many men in the diggers' camp - it might have occurred to His Excellency that `prevention is better than cure.' The Melbourne Age - Tuesday 5th December 1854. '11 o'clock Parties who have been about all morning have just now come into the office, with such reports as would make the blood boil in any man's veins. The affair is alleged to have been not an attack, but a downright massacre: the unarmed and unoffending were more punished than the real armed party. An instance - a man happened to smile at some bad horsemanship on the part of one of the horsemen - he was instantly fired at. But one tale is only the repetition of the other. Martial Law is to be proclaimed to-morrow, and strict search made for the wounded in every tent. I only fear that matters may become more serious at some future day. Men, aye, hundreds of them, who were 'conservatives,' up till now feel irritated. All parties having lights in their tents after eight o'clock, p.m., within musket shot of the sentries, are to be fired at. We are really under martial law even now. There are at this moment 125 prisoners taken and in the camp. The official return is - 1 Private of the 12th killed, 2 do 40th do and several wounded 1 Captain Wyse (Wise), of the 40th, dangerously wounded, 2 Lieutenants of the 12th, seriously wounded. The soldiers are by all considered to have done their duty rightly, as they were ordered. The troopers were accused of being cowardly and merciless, especially towards the unoffending parties. In the hurry, the details here given may be somewhat defective, but in the main I believe them to be correct.........' MILITARY REPORTS Captain Thomas of the 40th Regiment was the military commander of the attack. This report is taken from his Evidence at the Claims for Compensation. 'I was in command of the troops at Ballarat. 'Camp Ballarat, 3rd December 1854, the day of the attack - '.......details relevant to a collision that took place this morning between the troops under my command and the Ballaarat rebels. The Major General has already been made aware of the fact that a large number of ill disposed persons have for some days been openly organising, drilling, and equipping themselves with the undisguised object of attacking Her Majesty's Troops, and if possible, of subverting the Government......... Early on the 2nd instant, information reached me that the rebels were forming an entrenched camp at the Eureka Diggings, about a mile and a half from our Camp....... During the whole of that day, strong bodies of insurgents were parading at the diggings in every direction, many of them in sight of the Camp, robbing stores, collecting arms, and forcing people to join their ranks ..... I determined, however to attack their Camp at day light the next morning. For this purpose the troops were ordered to assemble at half past two o'clock A.M. At three o'clock I left with this force ..... In excellent order and with perfect silence the force arrived, in about half an hour, in front of the entrenchment, and about 300 yards from it, under cover of a rise of ground. The detachments of the 12th & 40th Regiments extended in skirmishing order, each having its proper support. Part of the mounted force of military and police moved towards the left of their position to threaten its flank and rear, the remainder of the mounted force and the foot police were kept in reserve; we then advanced quietly towards the entrenchments where the revolutionary flag was flying. At about 150 yards we were received by a rather sharp and well directed fire from the rebels, without word or challenge on their part. Then, and not till then, I ordered the bugle to sound the 'Commence Firing'. For about ten minutes a heavy fire was kept up by the troops advancing, which was replied to by the rebels. During this time I brought up the infantry supports and foot police. The entrenchment was then carried, and I ordered the firing to cease. All persons found within the entrenchment were taken prisoners, and many of the fugitives were intercepted by the cavalry. I afterwards brought the infantry, and a portion of the mounted police in charge of the prisoners, and wounded to the camp, directing the remainder of the cavalry to recover the Government Camp at the Eureka, which was 500 yards from the place we then stood, and which was reported to be in the possession of the insurgents..... it had subsequently been deserted. The behaviour of the troops and police, both officers and men, in this skirmish, was very good..... (convey) my appreciation of the conduct of the whole police force under my command, I feel it right particularly to notice the extreme steadiness of the foot police under Captain Carter , who were brought up with the supports to carry the entrenchment. I am most desirous of acknowledging the great assistance I have received in this affair and in all arrangements connected with my command, from Captain Pasley, R.E., who was good enough to act as my aide-de-camp on this occasion, and who joined the skirmishers in their advance. Mr Webster remained under fire the whole time, giving me the benefit of his services, Mr Hackett, the police magistrate, remained with the infantry, and Mr Amos guided the cavalry to their position. I cannot omit from my Despatch the expression of my deep regret at the dangerous wound rec'd by Captain Wise of the 40th Regiment, who remaining at his post after getting a slight wound, fell on the inside of the entrenchment when conspicuously leading his company to the attack. Lt. Paul, 12th Regiment, also rec'd a severe wound, but continued to do his duty in the ranks.. The number of killed and wounded on the side of the insurgents was great, but I have no means of ascertaining it correctly; I have reason however, to believe that there were not less than thirty killed on the spot, and I know that many have since died of their wounds. To such of the wounded as have not been removed, I have sent medical assistance, and have caused the unclaimed dead to be taken away and buried in the Cemetery. I had previously received information from Mr. Amos and others, that the rioters had erected an entrenchment on the Eureka, for the purpose of opposing the advance of Sir Robert Nickle with reinforcements of troops. I also heard the position was occupied by a large body of armed men. In any case I deemed it necessary to destroy this entrenchment. I accordingly led the troops thither. Advancing to the place we were fired upon by the armed men who occupied the entrenchment, and after considerable resistance it was stormed and taken by the troops. The firing then ceased. I withdrew the troops, and handed over the position to Mr. Inspector Carter , of the Foot Police, giving him orders to destroy it by fire. There were several tents inside the entrenchment, some of which were filled by armed men, who came out and fought at the doors. I was about ten minutes on the ground outside the position after it had been taken. The firing on our part had then been ordered to cease. I heard a few stray shots after the firing at the entrenchment had ceased, just when it was reported to me that the troops were being fired on from some tents outside the entrenchment. I did not see any tent damaged or destroyed by the soldiers or police outside the Stockade, with the exception of one the troops broke into for the purpose of procuring blankets to carry a wounded man. Those blankets were afterwards paid for, and the parties compensated for the damage done to their tent, by order of the Major General, on my recommendation. I did not give orders to have any other tent outside the entrenchment destroyed or damaged...........' evidence taken, 6th July 1855 Police Office Melbourne. E.P.S. Sturt Chairman. The report of the ATTACK on the STOCKADE by an OFFICER of the CAMP, ' .... the detachment of the 40th Regiment, led by Captain Thomas , the chief officer in command, made a quick advance upon the double breast-work which formed the stronghold of the insurgents. After several volleys had been fired on both sides, the barrier of ropes, slabs and overturned carts was crossed, and the defenders driven out, or into the shallow holes with which the place was spotted, and in which many were put to death in the first heat of the conflict, either by bullets or by bayonet thrusts. The foot police were first over the barricade, and one, climbing the flagstaff under a heavy fire, secured the rebel flag . After burning all the tents within the enclosure, and in the immediate vicinity, the troops returned to camp, and carts were sent out for the dead and wounded. The latter thus obtained immediate medical aid. They were covered with blood, and were mostly shot in the breast. The number of insurgents killed is estimated as from thirty-five to forty, and many of those brought in wounded afterwards died. Of the troops, three privates were killed, and several wounded, one of who died. Two officers were wounded, and one, Captain Wise died. Among the arms taken in the fight were pikes of a rude construction, made on the spot, and furnished with a sort of hooked knife to cut the bridles of the cavalry. The dead were buried the same day in the cemetery. The bodies of the insurgents, placed in rough coffins made hurriedly, were laid in a separate grave, the burial service being performed by the clergyman to whose congregation they belonged. At night we were again under arms, as constant rumours of an intended attack kept us on alert. This is exhausting work, and a severe trial, especially for the military, as the men have had no rest for several nights. Indeed, no one within the lines has undressed for the last four nights at very least..' John NEILL who was in the 40th Regiment at Eureka, and two of whose children are buried at the Eureka Soldiers Memorial at the Ballarat Old Cemetery, later replied to historian Withers regarding the events. 'With regard to the Attack on the Stockade, the author has a letter signed 'John Neill, late of the 40th Regiment', and dated from Devil's Gully on 7 February, 1870. Neill thus describes the approach of the troops ...... As a military man, and one who took a most prominent part in all the military movements of that day, I beg leave to offer a remark upon the statement made by the Government Officer of the Camp. The small force consisted of detachments of the 12th and 40th Regiments, and a few troopers and foot police, the whole under the command of Captains Thomas and Wise , and a Lieutenant of the 12th - I forget his name. The order to fall-in and be silent was given, and when Captain Thomas had spoken a few words we were put in motion, led by Captain Wise. The party had not advanced 300 yards before we were seen by the rebel sentry, who fired, not at our party, but to warn his party in the Stockade. He was on Black Hill. Captain Thomas turned his head in the direction of the shot, and said, - 'We are seen. Forward and steady men! Don't fire, let the insurgents fire first. You wait for the sound of the bugle.' When within a short distance of the Stockade, the insurgents fired. Captain Wise fell, wounded mortally. The same volley wounded the Lieutenant of the 12th, already spoken of, and three of his men, two killed, one wounded of the 40th - Privates Michael Roony, Joseph Wall killed, William Juniper, badly wounded. The Camp officer says that the police were the first to enter the Stockade. He is wrong. There was not one policeman killed or wounded during the whole affair. When Captain Wise fell the men cheered, and were over the Stockade in a second, and then bayonet and pike went to work. The diggers fought well and fierce, not a word spoken on either side until all was over. The blacksmith who made the pikes was killed by Lieut. Richards, 40th Regiment. Honor to his name, he fought well and died gloriously. It was rumoured that at this time the police were cruel to the wounded and prisoners. No such thing. The police did nothing but their duty, and they did it well for men that were not accustomed to scenes of blood or violence. To my knowledge there was only one wounded man despatched, and he kept swinging his pike about his head as he sat on the ground. His two legs were broken, and he had a musket ball in his body. He could not live, and it was best to despatch him. His name was O'Neill, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland. I heard this statement from a sergeant of police, and I know it was correct.'