& the Australian Exploring Expedition of 1860

Andrew Jackson
London: Smith, Elder & Co.
(Ferguson 10857)
1863.

To
Miss Hester Albinia Burke,
Whose name was the last utterance from the lips of her
Loved and gallant brother
This Volume
recording his heroic achievement
is inscribed with feelings of sincere sympathy
by her faithful servant,

The Compiler

PREFACE

Serving the same regiment with the head of the family to which belonged Robert O'Hara Burke, and sharing the personal attachment which every member of that family seems to inspire in those who know them, I naturally felt a deep interest in the noble career and melancholy fate of the gallant Leader of the Australian Exploring Expedition of 1860. Animated by a strong feeling of admiration for the active energy, steadfast courage, and patient endurance shown by this brave man, in every stage of this arduous enterprise, I undertook the present attempt to record the incidents of the Exploration of Central Australia so successfully achieved.

My task has been limited to arranging consecutively the letters and journals of the explorers, and forming the whole into a connected narrative of the progress and results of the Expedition, the vicissitudes of the exploring party, and the fatal disasters which overtook them at last. In doing so, I have not been able to refrain from censuring the conduct of one of the party in particular, as well as vindicating Mr Burke; who, in his character as Leader of the Expedition, presents a noble example of those qualities which are called for in the soldier, the voyager, and the pioneer of civilization.

Andrew Jackson,
Ensign, 3rd Buffs.
Malta, June, 1862.