Massacre at East of Rufus River
According to a statement made by Mr Robinson, an overland party was travelling from Gundagai to South Australia. Nearing the Rufus River, after gathering stray cattle he ventured ahead of the party to look for a crossing. He encountered about 300 Aboriginal people who moved into a crescent formation. Mr Robinson gathered a party of well armed overlanders.
'On our approach they advanced, and we commenced firing: we discharged about 8 rounds each before the blacks gave the least way. They now began to retreat. We then advanced, and drove them back into the bush. During this affray about 15 were killed and wounded.' (Inquirer, August 24, 1842, p 6) The following day at Rufus River, another massacre occurred in which about 21 or more were killed.
'On our approach they advanced, and we commenced firing: we discharged about 8 rounds each before the blacks gave the least way. They now began to retreat. We then advanced, and drove them back into the bush. During this affray about 15 were killed and wounded.' (Inquirer, August 24, 1842, p 6) The following day at Rufus River, another massacre occurred in which about 21 or more were killed.
Notes:
CorroborationRating: **
LanguageGroup: Marrawarra
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 7
CorroborationRating: **
LanguageGroup: Marrawarra
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 7
People involved
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Sources
- Burke et al, 2016, pp145-179; Inquirer, August 24, 1842 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65582199
Event mentions
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Massacre at East of Rufus River26 Aug 1841 — East of Rufus River — massacreAccording to a statement made by Mr Robinson, an overland party was travelling from Gundagai to South Australia. Nearing the Rufus River, after gathering stray cattle he ventured ahead of the party to look for a crossing. He encountered about 300 Aboriginal people who moved into a crescent formation. Mr Robinson gathered a party of well armed overlanders.
'On our approach they advanced, and we commenced firing: we discharged about 8 rounds each before the blacks gave the least way. They now began to retreat. We then advanced, and drove them back into the bush. During this affray about 15 were killed and wounded.' (Inquirer, August 24, 1842, p 6) The following day at Rufus River, another massacre occurred in which about 21 or more were killed.Source: Burke et al, 2016, pp145-179; Inquirer, August 24, 1842 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65582199