On 5 March 1804, the Battle of Vinegar Hill was fought in Australia between the British under George Johnston and the Irish under Philip Cunningham during the Castle Hill Rebellion.
Why did it happen?
Following an unsuccessful rebellion in Ireland against the British in 1798, hundreds of Irish men, women and children were transported to Sydney, Australia for their role in the uprising. Determined to fight against British oppression, the Irish attempted to incite several uprisings within New South Wales between 1800 and 1803, only for these rebellions to be thwarted before they even began. On 4 March 1804, Philip Cunningham, William Johnston and 300 Irish convicts successfully began the Castle Hill Rebellion whereby they attempted to establish Irish rule in Australia and return Irish prisoners to Ireland. The plan was to link up with 1,000 convicts in Hawkesbury and move upon Parramatta and Sydney. However, an Irish messenger was captured and informed the British of their plan. In response to this threat, Governor Philip King declared martial law and appointed Major George Johnston to command British soldiers and militia units to put down the rebellion. On 5 March, Johnston caught up with the Irish rebels along the Old Windsor Road, 18km northwest of Parramatta.
Who was involved?
The British army at Vinegar Hill numbered 29 regular infantry, 67 militia infantry and 1 cavalry for a total of 97 men. The British were arrayed with the regulars in the first line and militia in the second line while the cavalry trooper scouted ahead of the column. The Irish army at Vinegar Hill numbered 136 musketeers and 97 pikemen, making for a total of 233 men. The whole force was arrayed on a small hill overlooking the Old Windsor Road with the musketeers in front and the pikemen to the rear. Both sides were flanked by forest.
What happened?
At 11 am, Major George Johnston, Thomas Anlezark and Father Peter Dixon rode up to the Irish line and exhorted them to surrender. When Philip Cunningham and William Johnston replied that they wanted “Death or Liberty and a ship to take us home” (Silver, 1989, p.102), both George Johnston and Thomas Anlezark pulled out their pistols and threatened to kill them if they did not accept their terms. After placing Philip Cunningham and William Johnston under arrest, George Johnston then returned to the safety of the British ranks and ordered his infantry to open fire upon the Irish, who briefly returned fire with their own muskets. After 15 minutes of musket fire, the British infantry suddenly charged the Irish lines and scattered them in all directions. The pursuit went on for five hours until the British halted their advance at the Hawkesbury River at 4 pm. While the British suffered no losses, the Irish casualties numbered 41 killed or captured.
What changed as a result?
The Battle of Vinegar Hill was a British victory. Two days after the battle, Governor Philip King issued a statement promising pardon or easing of punishment to all Irish rebels who surrendered themselves by 9 March. Subsequently, the Irish rebels surrendered in great numbers as they preferred “to trust in the clemency of the governor rather than the uncertainty of a court martial” (Silver, 1989, p.108). On 8 March, William Johnston and nine of the rebel ringleaders were brought before the court and charged with inciting insurrection and attacks against British forces. All ten ringleaders were sentenced to death by hanging while another 30 of the rebels were either flogged or sent to join the Coal River chain gang. The Castle Hill Rebellion was Australia’s first uprising and provided inspiration for future rebellions in Australian history. As pointed out by the National Museum of Australia, “Identifying with the ideals of liberty, justice and freedom espoused by the Irish rebels in Australia and in Ireland, the participants of the Eureka Stockade in 1854 used the secret password ‘Vinegar Hill’” (McMahon, 2021).
Bibliography
McMahon, Katherine. “Castle Hill Rebellion.” National Museum of Australia. Last revised August 31, 2021. www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/castle-hill-rebellion
Silver, Lynette Ramsay. The Battle of Vinegar Hill: Australia’s Irish Rebellion, 1804. Moorebank, Doubleday, 1989.
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