Desertions increase
Meanwhile, out in the Irish settlement itself, the catholics were hard at work, led by Father Smyth. No, they weren't raising more support for the stockaders, quite the opposite. The miners were, on a fairly common basis, popping out to say howdy do to their families, eat some tucker, grab a glass of booze, or two, or three, and perhaps seek a bit of "sport" in one of the many brothels. While outside they were targeted by people like Smyth, who believed or claimed they were acting in the miners' interests to try and stop them going back to the stockade. They appear to have had a high degree of success.
Despite being aware of this problem, Lalor was very restricted in the action he could take. Discipline in the stockade was extremely poor, if not non-existent. If Lalor had tried the whippings, beatings, or worse of the British army, his men would all have walked out, or run out, in a mob.
Despite being aware of this problem, Lalor was very restricted in the action he could take. Discipline in the stockade was extremely poor, if not non-existent. If Lalor had tried the whippings, beatings, or worse of the British army, his men would all have walked out, or run out, in a mob.