Royal Commission report day 34 page 4

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The Royal Commission evidence for 29/6/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 34)

That is the private correspondence. The following is the public correspondence:–

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(Copy )

12565.7 D. T. Seymour, Esq., Commr. of Police, Brisbane.

SIR, Melbourne, Ist July 1880.

I have the honor to report that on Sunday the 27th June, at 7 p.m. , I received a letter from Capt. Standish–(copy attached.) I saw Capt. Standish about 7.30 p.m. , and informed him that I was most willing to assist him, but, as I was under marching orders, I should like the Chief Secretary to write to you, so as to hold me blameless if I should be doing wrong in going. I, with my five troopers, left here by special train at 10 pm. , en route for Beechworth. We arrived at Benalla about 1 a.m. , and picked up Supt. Hare and six men. From here our train was preceded by an engine, as a precaution. When upon nearing Glenrowan station, the advanced engine was observed to have some to a halt and then we found that a man had rushed out of the bush, and informed the advanced engine driver that the outlaws had torn up the rails about a mile further on. Supt. Hare and I consulted, and we decided to draw the train. We went on up to the Glenrowan station, so as to enable us to get out our horses to ride down the torn-up rails. While in the act of getting out the horses, a constable named Bracken, who had been stationed at Glenrowan, rushed frantically down to us, and said, “I have just escaped from the outlaws, who are at Jones's public house; take care, or they will be off.” Supt. Hare and I started at once off towards the house, calling the men to follow us; but, owing to the confusion and noise in taking out the horses, I presume, some of then did not at once respond, as only Mr. Hare, myself, three or four white men, and, I think, about two of my boys, were in the first rush. We rushed straight for the house, and, upon getting within about 20 yards of the place, one shot, followed by a volley, was fired at us from the verandah. We returned the fire, and before I could load again, Supt. Hare called out to me, “O’Connor, I am wounded–shot in the arm; I must go back.” I think the whole party were up by this time. I ordered the men to take cover, and I myself dropped down into a creek immediately in front of the front door, and about 20 yards from it; from here I kept a continual fire, until the outlaws were obliged to retire into the house; the others kept firing also. I then heard the cry of a woman in the house, and cried out “Cease firing,” which cry was taken up by us all. I sang out, “Let the women out,” and they immediately came, and passed to the rear. Supt. Hare after stating he was wounded, retired to the railway station and, in about fifteen minutes went off in the engine to Benalla, leaving me, as the only officer on the ground, in charge. I kept my position, and, in fact, shot Joe Byrne before we were reinforced, or–(of course we cannot say who shot Joe)–before another officer arrived upon the ground, which happened at about 5.30 a.m., when Mr. Sadleir arrived with reinforcements from Benalla, thereby leaving me with only twelve men, viz., my five boys, and seven white men, from about 2.30 until 5.30. During this interval I think I may say the heaviest of the firing was. Of course it is unnecessary for me to give my opinion upon the conduct of Supt. Hare, in running away to Benalla; I leave you to form your own opinion, when I tell you his wound is only through the wrist. Mr. Hare was only on the ground about three minutes. Ned Kelly, it appears, after going into the house, left by the back door, and was captured a few yards from the building. We then (Mr. Sadleir and myself) thought of rushing the house; but a senior-constable proposed to fire the building, which was done, and, at about 4 p.m., we took out of the house the charred remains of Dan Kelly and Steven Hart, and at the same time we recovered the body of Joe Byrne (about 4 p.m.) but not touched by the fire.

I will communicate further with you, as I see the credit which our party fully deserve the C. Comr. is reluctant to give us.

Your obedt servant,

(Sd ) STANHOPE O'GONNOR,

S. –lnspr.

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