Battle at ‘Menah'

Date: 1 Jan 1822
Place: Menah, Mudgee
According to George Henry Cox (told the story by his father and uncle many years later), ‘one morning at daybreak’ the ‘men were surprised by a body of natives, who made a fierce and determined attack on the hut’. But Cox, Lewis and the other stockmen (six in total including Lewis, excluding Cox) – and possibly the Wiradyjuri men Friday and Aaron – ‘were well provided with fire-arms and ammunition’. ‘for two hours desultory fighting was maintained. Holes made through the slabs gave the men a splendid opportunity of taking good aim and to watch the movements of their crafty foes’. According to George Henry, during the battle ‘about half a dozen blacks were shot, while the defenders (with the exception of poor “Friday”, who becoming too venturesome, went outside when a spear was thrown, hitting the poor fellow in a vital part) came through the ordeal un-scathed’.

People involved

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Sources

  • Cox, ‘History of Mudgee’, p. 42. ‘Lewis, Richard’, BDHSMA, LF840

Event mentions

  • Battle at ‘Menah'
    1 Jan 1822 — Menah, Mudgee
    According to George Henry Cox (told the story by his father and uncle many years later), ‘one morning at daybreak’ the ‘men were surprised by a body of natives, who made a fierce and determined attack on the hut’. But Cox, Lewis and the other stockmen (six in total including Lewis, excluding Cox) – and possibly the Wiradyjuri men Friday and Aaron – ‘were well provided with fire-arms and ammunition’. ‘for two hours desultory fighting was maintained. Holes made through the slabs gave the men a splendid opportunity of taking good aim and to watch the movements of their crafty foes’. According to George Henry, during the battle ‘about half a dozen blacks were shot, while the defenders (with the exception of poor “Friday”, who becoming too venturesome, went outside when a spear was thrown, hitting the poor fellow in a vital part) came through the ordeal un-scathed’.
    Source: Cox, ‘History of Mudgee’, p. 42. ‘Lewis, Richard’, BDHSMA, LF840