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THE WAR IN AUCKLAND. CAMP IN FRONT OF REBEL POSITION AT PATERANGI. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) February 8.
Stiehing events have taken place since the 26th of January, on which date orders were issued to the troops stationed at Tuikaramea,' for every four men to provide themselves with two-forked sticks about five feet in length, and a stick about eight feet in length. Many were the conjectures among the men as to the purpose for which these sticks were designed, until a model mimi -was erected under the personal superintendence of the Adjutant and SergeantMajor of the 40th Regiment, in the following manner : — The two sticks forked at the top were snnk about six inches into the ground ; on these the ridge-pole rested, and two soldiers' blankets were stretched across this frame, fastened to the ground by pegs, and joined together by skewers, or by being sewed with flax threads. This left one blanket between every two men, but as the weather is very warm no inconvenience is felt on this head. A crowd of inquisitive sons of Mars gathered round this model mimi, and many and various were the opinions of the critics as to its capabilities for shelter in rough weather. The greatcoats and kits of the men were forwarded to Whatawhata on board the steamer 'Avon.' In the evening, the 50th and 70th Regiments and No. S Company 40th, marched in from Waitetuna, and the whole force pitched mimis, the tents having been forwarded to Whatawhata with the men's kits (except a few belonging to the General and staff). The camp ground now presented a rather remarkable appearance, forcibly calling one's mind to Bag Fair and Petticoat Lane. The old clumsy cooking utensils had been previously replaced by light handy saucepans, at the rate of one to every eleven men. These are carried by the men, so that we were pretty well equiped for light marching. In the evening, orders were issued for the whole force to march on the following morning at an early hour, and on the following morning, in accordance with these orders, the march commenced in the following order : — 40th, 50th, 12th, 65th, and 70th. The troops proceeded along a track which led in the direction of Whatawhata, and across a creek which had been previously bridged by fatigue parties fiom the camp at Tuikaramea. After crossing this creek the track turns sharply to the right m a southerly direction, and here the force halted for a short time to enable the rear to close up ; and soon after they were reinforced by a party of the Defence Corps and three guns The cavalry men were very useful on the march m scouting in front of the long line — very long, indeed, — as the troops marched in single file along a narrow track. And now tlie difficulties of the march commenced in earnest, — difficulties which render a campaign in New Zealand of so arduous and harassing a nature. Without roads or bridges — v ith a line of route almost destitute of forage —how difficult and hazardous an undertaking is the advance of an invading army, at a distance of over 100 miles from its real base of operations But, however, where there's a will there's away, is a timsm. Steep ascents and bieak-neck descents did not atop the onward progress of our army The slopes were levelled, and the creeks bridged by each regiment in turn, and although the guns were delayed for a brief space at" one of the creeks, they were got up in the evening after a good deal of hard work. Arrived within sight of the enemy's position, a house was seen in flames on our left front, which I have since learned belonged to Mr. Heather. The troops formed ivp on a rising ground, with a deep creek a short distance in the front, and after a brief delay, during which the General reconnoitred the enemy, three companies of tbc 40th Regt. were extended in skirmishing, with three in support — two companies reserve. The skirmishers advanced to a hill on the enemy's proper right froul, and here the 40th pitched their mimis — 50th and 70th behind the slope of the hill. Tne 12th and Gsth, encamped in a small native village to the left, which. T believe, is called by the euphonious name of Mangaikia In the evening the army was reinforced by the arrival of part of the 12th Regt . and a number of Colonial Defence Corps and mounted Artillery. Early on the morning of the 28th, the mimis were again struck, and the force marched in the direction of Te Rori, Ihe 12th Rcgt. leadiug. A rather long delay took place at a small river which runs into the Waipa at Te Rori, over which a bridge was thrown by a woiking party of the 40th aud 70th, being employed at another creek further on. On the south side of the creek the troops were formed into contiguous columns and piled arms, Avhile the General with a party of mounted artillery, rode off to reconnoitre in the direction of a native village at the junction of the before-mentioned river with the Waipa . The General having returned, the force proceeded to the village, where a temporary bridge was erected, over which the 40th, wich a portion of the 12th and 65th Regts., marched to another placo, with a name dangerous for any person to pronounce, except those who have acquired the art of screwing their mouths into all sorts of unnatural shapes, but which is spelt Ngahinepouri. The General with the remainder of the force, proceeding along the native track to P.iterangi, and encamping on a level piece of ground near the Waipa river, where they erected three redoubts, one on the left bank and tw o on the right. The position then occupied by the General may be described thus : a level piece of fern land extends from the river, which I have mentioned as falling into the Waipa below the camp to a distance of about three miles to the southward, beiug bounded on the west by the Waipa river, and on the east by a range of low fern hills The road passes through this ground, at the northeru end within one mdc and a half of the native village and the quarters of the General and staff, farther on the 12th and 40th and 70th, and the greater part of the 50th, on a low hill, on which a redoubt has been erected The Forest Rangers, and a party of blue rackets, are encamped on a flat on the right bank of the river, opposite the staff camp. The Defence Corps further on midway between the camp of the 40th and 70th and three companies of the 50th Regt. on the opposite bank of the river as a guard over the horses of the transport corps. The track from Raglan passes in. front of the last-mentioned camp, arriving at the river opposite the staff camp. A punt lias been constructed at this place, by boarding over two large canoes. There are the charred remains of a large dwelling-house just opposite the crossing-place, and a stockyard is still standing at a short distance. The house appears to have been recently burnt, affording a melancholy example of the ravages of war, and the ruthless, wantonly mischievous character of the enemy. The outposts are posted on the ridge which overlooks the camp on the -westward, and from its summit a good -view can ' be obtained of the rebel position of Paterangi, which stands on another ridge runing parallel with the firstmentioned. Drafts arrived on the 29th from the 40th, 50th. 651h, and 70th Regiments ; and on the 31st the 40th and 12th marched in from Ngahinepouri, where they had erecfed a redoubt ; leaving the 65th and No. 9 company 40th a garrison. The steamer ' Avon ' had been constantly employed in bringing up provisions, and too much praise i cannot be awarded to Commodoße Wiseman and the officers and seamen for their unwearied exertions to co-operate with the military. The troops were busily employed up to the 3rd February, in constructing redoubts, which | now number three at that camp. On this day ' the General, with two guns, and parties of the
12tli and 40th, proceeded to a lull about 1,500 yards from the rebel position at Paterangi. A few shells were thrown, into the earthworks, and the force returned to camp. On the following day the 40th, with 2 guns, and 100 of the 50th, under the command of Colonel Wnddv, of the oOfch, struck tents, and marched to the hill from which the enemy's position had been shelled on the previous day, and after pitching tents under cover of the hill, the trooji* set to work to throw up a breastwork along the front of the camp, to protect it from nny sudden rush of the enemy ; and early in the evening this one, with two picket redoubts — one on either flank — were finished; strong guards were posted, and a strong inlying picquet warned to be ready to turn out in case of alarm. On the sth a redoubt was commenced on a commanding hill, about half a mile to the southwest of the Paterangi camp. In the forenoon Sir Henry Havelock, with amounted orderly of the Defence Corps, rode over to reconnoitre, a , short distance to our right front, on the left flank of the enemy's position. They were advancing to a rising ground in their front, when Sir Henry Havelock observed some Maoris at a short distance, and he and his orderly commenced to retire slowly, followed closely by the enemy, who fired several shots at them, but, fortunately, none took effect. But an unlucky accident occurred to the orderly's horse, which fell in an old rua, or potato hole, and while Sir Henry Havelock and his orderly were endeavouring to extricate the horse, the natives made good use of the opportunity to creep closer to them. After taking off the saddle and bridle, and finding it impossible to get up the horse, the two retired leisurely ; Sir Henry Havelock eoiVHv discharging the orderly's carbine at their pursuers. The natives shot the horse, but by tins time the tables were turned, for the guns opened fire from the camp, and the natives precipitately retreated, accelerated in their flight by some beautifully aimed Armstrong shells. Nothing of any further importance occurred until the 7th, on the morning of which date Maoris were observrd on a fern hill to the left front of the camp. Every morning a strong picquet had been posted on this hill, and sentries all along the front, of our camp : the hill picquet coming at dusk. No doubt the object 'of the natives in lying on this hill was to surprise the party coming on picquet, which usually numbered some 25 men, in charge of an officer. But being observed, seeing that the picquet was reinforced, they prudently declined to contest their ground, and made off to their defences, closely accompanied by a few leaden messengers from our advancing picquet. But although this first attempt had failed, they had not yet relinquished the idea of planting an ambush at this favourable spot. On the following morning, the Bth, the picket was inarched out as usual, dropping sentries as it proceeded, at intervals of about 25 yards , and by the time the picquet reached the foot of the hill, it was reduced to an officer and eight men. As this party were proceeding up the hill, they were saluted by a volley from a body of natives who lay in ambush about 25 yards in then" front. The little party returned the fire, and fell back slowly, being by this time reduced te five me x, threc^ having been wounded by the first discharge. The inlying picquet was turned out, and proceeded at the double to the assistance of their hard-pressed comrades , but the Maoris had no intention of a stand-up fight. They had played out their little game, and so they had vanished when the picket reached the hill. But a few were seen creeping up the opposite slopes, and a rapid fire was opened on them, and two were seen to fall. The following are the casualties . — "William Connor, 10th, wounded dangerously through the neck ; William Burndge, 4.oth, severely wounded in the right arm ; Henry Fleming, 40th, dangerously wounded m head , "William Carman, 40th, slightly wounded in left side. Constant firing goes on betwesn the natives and our advanced picquet and sentries, but the former keep their heads pretty well down m the rifle pits, only just bobbing up to fire, and scarcely taking time to aim. But still our men often knock the dust into their very eyes Sometimes a native will get up on to the parapet and wave a blanket, but they don't Btay long up, generally going down rather faster than they come up, because our men are on the look-out, and they always salute the would-be brave with a volley , and sometimes the gunners, who are also on the qiti urc, give them the benefit of an Armstrong shell. A good deal of shouting goes on between the skirmishers and the fellows in the pits. The Maoris say, " Come on, Jack, charge." " Pakaru the hoia." &c , and our men return the compliment in a mixture of broken Maori and English Great hardships are endured by the troops hero, as they left their great coats and kits behind ; they are without a change of clothing — even without a change of linen, — and as the ground is very dusty, a person has some difficulty m distinguishing his friends from his enemies, and I fear, if this state of things continue, some serious mistakes will occur in consequence. Another great source of inconvenience is the soap supply. When the troops left Tuikaramea, every one supposed that the men's kits would be sent on in a few days, and consequently no provision was made for a long period. A small piece of soap is now worth a pretty little sum. and the man who is fortunate enough to possess a half-pound of this article, wliicli is bo essential to cleanliness and comfort, is fortunate indeed, and envied beyond description. But necessity is the mother of invention. At the swamp at the rear of our camp, at any time of day may be seen a number of busy soldiers — here, one gravely rubbing his linen with a lump of yellow clay, which he uses as a substitute for soap ; there, another complacently watching his shirt or socks, which are spread out on. the fern to dry ; further, an individual with a happy, smiling countenance, on whom many hopeless, despairing glances are cast ; this is the lucky possessor of soap, and he shakes his head in a sage, sagacious manner. He says, " I was once as hard up as you, in India, the Crimea, or some other place at the other end of the vt orld . I knew it would come to this." But very few murmurs are heard. The elderly gentleman who sits in his easy chair, reading in his daily paper that the army has advanced from Tuikaramea to Te Eon, may not trouble himself to inquire how this was accomplished. He does not understand the multitude of difficulties which surround the commissariat department ; he does not know how many hours of severe study it costs " powers that be" to disentangle the web of difficulties, and to devise measures to furnish the troops with rations, ammunition, &c, the horses with forage, and other things without winch an English army cannot exist. But we who do can endure any little hardships without grumbling ; or, if we do grumble a little now and then, is not grumbling an English soldier's privilege, so that he " grumble and goP" I think any enterprising Auckland capitalist might realise a rapid fortune by fitting up a small steamer to trade on the river.
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Bibliographic details
Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2050, 13 February 1864, Page 3
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2,677THE WAR IN AUCKLAND. CAMP IN FRONT OF REBEL POSITION AT PATERANGI. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) February 8. Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2050, 13 February 1864, Page 3
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THE WAR IN AUCKLAND. CAMP IN FRONT OF REBEL POSITION AT PATERANGI. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) February 8. Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2050, 13 February 1864, 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.
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