Rebellion at Castle
Hill 4th March 1804
REBELLION AT CASTLE HILL -
Major
Johnston on arriving at Toongabbee, received information
that a considerable Body were on their way to the
Hawkesbury: Notwithstanding the fatigue of his small
Detachment in marching up from Sydney and the distance they
had gone since, they immediately ran in good Order, with
their followers, and after a pursuit of Seven Miles farther,
Major Johnston and a Trooper, who had preceeded the
Detachment came up with the rear of the Insurgents at 11
o'clock, whose number have since been ascertained to be 233
men, armed with Musquets, Pistols, Swords etc., and a number
of followers which they had taken from the Settlers. After
calling to them repeatedly they halted, and formed on the
rise of a Hill: The Major and Trooper advanced within pistol
shot, and endeavoured to persuade them to submit to the
Mercy that was offered them by the Proclamation, which they
refused. The Major required to see their Chiefs, who after
some deliberation met them half way, between the Detachment
and Insurgents, when by a great presence of mind and address
the Major presented his pistol at the head of the Principal
leader (Phillip Cunningham), and the Trooper following his
motions, presented his Pistol also to the other leader's
head, (Wm Johnston) and drove them into the Detachment
without the least opposition from the body of the
Insurgents. Major Johnston immediately ordered Quarter
Master Laycock to advance with the Detachment etc. and cut
the body to pieces, which immediately filed off and fled in
all directions, pursued by the Detachment and followers,
several shots were fired by the Insurgents without effect.
As the pursuit was along the Road & on each side in the
Woods, the number of dead are not yet ascertained; nine
bodies were found above the Road, and several were known to
be killed in the pursuit through the Woods. A number were
overtaken and made prisoners, among whom was the Leader
(Phillip Cunningham), who was to all appearance left
dead on the road. The pursuit continued on to the
Hawkesbury, where the Detachment arrived at 4 in the
afternoon with several prisoners, after a forced march, or
rather running 35 miles; Lieutenant Davis being joined by
Lieutenant Brabyn with a reinforcement of thirty Soldiers
joined the Major at 9 o'clock that night. Philip Cunningham
the Principal leader, who was carried among the wounded to
Hawkesbury being still alive, and very properly considered
by Major Johnston as a proper object to make an immediate
example of, by virtue of the Martial Law that then existed,
and the discretionary power given him by His Excellency, and
after taking the opinion of the Officers about him, directed
him to be publicly executed on the Stair case of the Public
Store, which he had boasted in his march he was going to
plunder.
As the
principal Body was dispersed, the Detachment returned to
Parramatta on Wednesday morning with a great number of
Prisoners taken in Arms; and on Thursday morning received
His Excellency's personal Approbation and Thanks for their
animated and Soldier Like conduct & great perseverance in
the fatigues they had undergone.
Seventy of
the Insurgents, armed with musquets of which they had
stripped the settlers, commanded by Humes having missed
joining the main body, were concealed about the Castle Hill
Road, which occupied the attention of the Detachment and
Association at Parramatta. After the defeat, the Insurgents
took advantage of the Proclamation, which extended Grace to
those who gave themselves up in 24 hours, and great numbers
were constantly coming in and delivering themselves up from
noon on Monday and others were brought in prisoners with
their arms by Lieutenants Davis and Brabyn's Parties.
Several
parties of Settlers and others now pursued the Insurgents in
all directions; and from Monday noon to Friday evening
upwards of 300 were taken or gave themselves up, most of
whom were dismissed and sent to their respective labour,
with a caution and reprimand. Ten of those who were selected
from upwards of 200, as being most forward, including the
two leaders Johnstone and Humes, were tried on Thursday at
Parramatta by a General Court Martial, when they were all
sentenced to be hanged - Johnstone and Humes to be hung in
Chains: A part of the Sentence was carried into execution at
6 o'clock on Thursday evening, upon Humes,
Charles Hill, and
John Place, who acknowledged the justice of their sentence. Humes gave much important information, respecting the secret
contrivers; and on Friday morning Johnston,
Harrington, and Neale were executed at Castle Hill, Johnstone giving a
similar information to Hume's; and on Saturday
Brannan and
Hogan suffered at Sydney,
Burke and McCormick being
Reprieved. Five others received Corporal Punishment; and
about thirty were ordered to the different Gaol gangs until
they can be otherwise disposed of.
Thus ended a
sudden Insurrection, that was as unexpected as it is
decidedly put an end to by the great assistance given to the
measure which the exigency of the moment required.
On Friday
afternoon Major Johnston's Detachment marched into Sydney,
where they were received by the Regiment, and dismissed
amidst the gratulations of their Comrades and Spectators;
and
On Saturday
morning His Excellency arrived at Sydney, after repealing
Martial Law in the Interior. On his arrival at the
Regimental Parade he was received by
Lieut. Col Paterson at
the head of the New South Wales Corps under arms, and
received the Military Honours due to his Situation.
The
Sydney Gazette 11 March 1804
