Massacre at Tambo Crossing

Date: 1 Jan 1842 – 31 Dec 1842
Place: Tambo Crossing
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
The massacre was originally reported by Aboriginal Protector GA Robinson in Report of a Journey of Two Thousand Two Hundred Miles to the Tribes of the Coast and Eastern Interior during the Year 1844, George Mackaness published the report in 1941 (Mackaness, 1941, p 13). Ian D. Clark provided more detail of the massacre when he published GA Robinson's Journal, dated 15 June 1844, in 1998 and included the following account, 'Two miles above the crossing place up the stream is the spot where a great slaughter of Gipps Land blacks by the Omeo and Mokeallumbeets and Tinnermittum, their allies, took place: was shown the spot by [the Aboriginal guide]... Charley who was present. Saw the human bones strewed about bleached white.... Charley spoke of it with zest went through the whole scene shewed (sic) the camp of wild blacks upwards of 70 camped beside a fire. Canal of still water in bed of Tanbo (sic) 30 feet wide 500 long. Shew how the black[s] found in line, then gave yell; the point of attack; spoke of it with zest; five young women were spared but I believe killed some time after. All the old women and children were killed' (Clark, 1998d, p 102 ).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: *
LanguageGroup: Tatungalung or Brabralung
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 70

People involved

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Sources

  • Mackaness, 1941, p 13; Clark, 1998d, p 102 (Robinson Journal,15 June 1844).

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Tambo Crossing
    1 Jan 1842 – 31 Dec 1842 — Tambo Crossing — massacre
    The massacre was originally reported by Aboriginal Protector GA Robinson in Report of a Journey of Two Thousand Two Hundred Miles to the Tribes of the Coast and Eastern Interior during the Year 1844, George Mackaness published the report in 1941 (Mackaness, 1941, p 13). Ian D. Clark provided more detail of the massacre when he published GA Robinson's Journal, dated 15 June 1844, in 1998 and included the following account, 'Two miles above the crossing place up the stream is the spot where a great slaughter of Gipps Land blacks by the Omeo and Mokeallumbeets and Tinnermittum, their allies, took place: was shown the spot by [the Aboriginal guide]... Charley who was present. Saw the human bones strewed about bleached white.... Charley spoke of it with zest went through the whole scene shewed (sic) the camp of wild blacks upwards of 70 camped beside a fire. Canal of still water in bed of Tanbo (sic) 30 feet wide 500 long. Shew how the black[s] found in line, then gave yell; the point of attack; spoke of it with zest; five young women were spared but I believe killed some time after. All the old women and children were killed' (Clark, 1998d, p 102 ).
    Source: Mackaness, 1941, p 13; Clark, 1998d, p 102 (Robinson Journal,15 June 1844).