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EMBARKATION OF FIELD FORCE, OCCUPATION OF TAPOKAU, AND REPULSE OF THE REBELS. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) Camp Tapokau, Nov. 1 , 1863.
A FiETii) force, consisting of 2 field officers, 3 captains, 10 subalterns, 22 sergeants, 8 drummers, and 660 rank and file, left the Queen's Redoubt at about 10 a.m., on Friday last, and proceeded to the Naval Camp, at Maungatawhiri, where they embarked on board flatbottomed boats in an incredibly short space of time, the nature and circumstances of the case considered. They were conveyed from thence to tho Bluff, where they were transferred to the ' Pioneer,' and four iron-clad gun-boats, which wero stationed there for their reception. The convoy started from the Bluff at 2.30 precisely, the 'Pioneer' having the boats in tow, — one of which parted her tug rope, being afterwards taken up by tho ' Avon. 1 Tho trip was as pleasant as could havo been reasonably expected under the existing circumstances, the night being beautifully calm, and tho moon shining with resplendent lustre. On reaching opposite Meremore, wo wero saluted by several discharges from thfe enemy's guns, one of which was planted within about 300 yards of the river, the other occupying a considerably high mound, about '1,500 yards distant, neither having had the desired effect ; nearly all their missiles carrying some hundreds of yards beyond \is, — thanks to their ignorance of the art of shooting. Tho shooting from their small weapons was much better, some few shots having harmlessly struck the side of the ' Pioneer; ' and lam inclined to think, from my own personal observation, that their knowledge of shooting is considerably increasing; that is, bo far as regards the weapon itself; but the principal drawback is their ignorance in allowing for, or judging the distance of their objects. Ilaying passed the Meremere without even deigning to return their fire, we proceeded to Tapokau, which is about eight miles by water and ten by land from the former post. "We landed without opposition, and immediately proceeded to construct a temporary redoubt, on a very oommtfnding position about 500 yards from the river. The troops employed in its construction worked in the most indefatigable manner, and Bncceeded in raising three faces of a parapet to the height of about two-and-a-half feet, the redoubt being one hundred yards by forty. It is generally admitted that this strategic manoeuvre on the part of tho General is a decided success, and that this position which he has so judiciously established, was essentially necessary to enable him to carry out suooessfullv the complete annihilation of the rebels. So far, things passed swimmingly, and tho troops, in order to satisfy nature oven in a small way, ceased work, and betook themselves to stretcliiug their wearied limbs ; but although Morpheus made tho most tempting appeals to their sleepy nature, a great number discreetly declined his allowing proffers, and held themselves available at the slightest indication of a surprise, which was, I must nqy, almost mo* mentarily anticipated. Qur expectations in tbat respect were in a certain meaauro realised, for at about ten minutes past three this mornins;, one of the outlying picquets stationed about fifty yards from the camp, having seen objects that he considered suspicious, discharged his rifle, thereby alarming the camp ; and I ca,n state fearless of contradiatiqn that the troops wero almqst instantaneously under arms, and wero fully propared to resist the coming " little game," as some light-hearted, heroic spirits very facetiously expressed it. A party of the picquet, consisting of six men of the 40th Regiment, under the command of Ensign Ducrow, proceeded a considerable distance from the redoubt to reconnoitre the vicinity where the rgbej? wpre r.epqrted to have beeu seen, but tho party, after an unavailing search, were returning to camp, when a volley was delivered at them which was by no manner injurious. A very heavy fire was immediately opened on the enemy, who returned it with groat spirit in various directions ; ono party taking cover in a ditch by the sido of a path leading into the country, and which is shaded by a thick scrub, so much so as to prevent our seeing them in tho dusk of tho morning. The other two parties were stationed on adjacent hills. Their respective distances we were enabled to ascertain, thanks to the fctrosightadness of that very useful officer, Captain Greaves, A.D.A.Q.M.-General, Regiment, who had the perception to note the distances on the pre,* vious day. Qur. two heavy guns played with admirable precision on their positions, tho bursting of the shells presenting a magnificent spectacle, and having the double effect of revealing most distinctly the rebel forces,. An incessant fire from b,oth sides was kept up for about an hour, when tho enemy, finding their new position aa uncomfortable an.d. untenable as, their o}d position in Meremere will become in a very few days, deemed discretion to be the better part of valour, and accordingly decamped about six a.m., leaving a few stragglers behind, who kept up occasional firing during the day, thinking, no doubt, to d,ra\p out a small party of purg, •which proceeding would enable them to attack theTedoubt from another quarter. Our casualties were as follows :—: — KILLED. Sapper Loader, Royal Engineers.. W.OUUDEI). Captain tho Hon. T. Le P. Frenoh, 40th Regiment, very slightly on oheek, Corporal H. Moono, 40th Regiment, ver} r slightly on right ear. Private T. Beeston, 65 th Regiment, very slightly on cheek. One seaman, Royal Navy, severely in. leg, I cannot form an estimate of tlio onemy's casualties, but I think (to use a very current expression) that, from the beautiful precision of the heavy guns, their loss must have been very considerable. The following camp order has been just now issued : — " The Commissariat will issue at onco two dftya' provisions, which will be cooked to-night by the men, and the tents will be struck and packed at daybreak to-morrow." So it may be perceived that we are going to make a morning visit to the king-maker at Meromere, whore, should that sable gentleman Bhow any repugnance in playing the part of hospitable host, we fully intend to be so rude as to invite and cater for ourselves. The ' Pioneer,' with more troops on board, is expected to arrive here by daybreak tomorrow. I shall date my next from- the palace of tho king-maker.
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Bibliographic details
Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1967, 5 November 1863, Page 3
Word Count
1,055EMBARKATION OF FIELD FORCE, OCCUPATION OF TAPOKAU, AND REPULSE OF THE REBELS. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) Camp Tapokau, Nov. 1, 1863. Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1967, 5 November 1863, Page 3
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EMBARKATION OF FIELD FORCE, OCCUPATION OF TAPOKAU, AND REPULSE OF THE REBELS. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) Camp Tapokau, Nov. 1, 1863. Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1967, 5 November 1863, Page 3
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.