Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/148

 cavalry to recover the Government camp at the Eureka, which was about five hundred yards distant from the place where we then stood, and which was reported to be in possession of the insurgents. They found it had been occupied by them during the night, and that it had subsequently been deserted; the whole force, accordingly, returned to camp.

"The prisoners brought in were in number 128; a few of them, however, I ordered to be released, as I was not satisfied of their being in the engagement, though they were taken in the immediate neighbourhood. Several have been taken since on the charge of insurrection, which makes the number now in custody to be 114.

"The behaviour of the troops and police, both officers and men, in this skirmish was very good; and whilst I hope the Major-General will be pleased to convey to his Excellency my appreciation of the conduct of the whole police force under my command, I feel it right particularly to notice the extreme steadiness of the foot police under Captain Garter, who were brought up with the supports to carry the entrenchment.

"I am most desirous of acknowledging the great assistance I received in this affair, and in all the arrangements connected with my command, from Captain Pasley, R.E., who was good enough to act as my aide-de-camp on this occasion, and joined the skirmishers in their advance. Mr. Webster remained under fire the whole time, giving me the benefit of his services. Mr. Hackett, the police magistrate.