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THE WAR IN AUCKLAND.
HEAD-QUARTERS, TE RORE. . From the correspondent of the ' Daily Southern Cross.' . Thursday, February, 4. In my letter of yesterday, I stated that the Forest Rangers were under orders to proceed along the river banks for" some distance to meet the steamer, with the view of preventing the natives again' firing upon her from an ambush, as on the previous day. The order fee ,the effective strength of the force starting on this expedition was somewhat extended subsequently, — a large body of infantry from the 60th and 70th Regiments, mounted artillery, and Colonial Defence Troopers also being told off for the service. The whole were tinder the. command of Lieut-Col, Nixon. * * * Almost at the very outset of the expedition it was feared that its object was frustrated j for, as the troops emerged on the open ground near the swamp, visible alike from the camp and from Pikopiko, several guns were fired as signals by the natives of impending dangor, and Maoris were observed hastening back to the position in a more hurried manner, possibly, than they had left it. As fortune willed it however, all the Maoris taking an airing in the open must not have heard the signal for on. nearing the Mangaotama creek a body of rebels were observed upon the ranges. The troops were allowed to approach within about eight handred or nine hundred, but a creek divided the two parties. One of the natives was frantically gesticulating and waving his hand as if to direct his followers towards the line of retreat. Many shots were fired by the natives, but their guns fortunaltey possessed not such an extension of range, and our troops passed the ordeal scatheless. Not so the Maoris. The rifles were sighted at long ranges, and a few of the best shots of the force tried their hands — apparently with good effect, for one Maori was Been to throw his hands up as he fell into the fern, and another appeared to be touched whilst running up the hill-side, as he suddenly sat' down and remained exposed to the fire for several minutes, until he gained strength to crawl away. The native who threw up his arms must have cried out that he was wounded ; for at least half-a-dozen Maoris suddenly sprang from different positions and rushed in direction where he lay. After a few more shots were fired, the troops were withdrawn and returned to the camp, as the steamer had not up to this time made her appearance and it was not believed she would arrive that day. This morning Colonel Waddy in command of a j large body of infantry, composed of detachments from the various regiments here, and two guns, will take up- his position on the hill from which the General has twice taken observations of Paterangi. It is intended to construct a redoubt on the summit of the hill, and the artillery will create a diversion with the enemy whilst the work is being performed. Heavy firing is now going on in that direction.Friday, Feb. 5. I have only just returned from the 50th camp in front of Paterangi, where firing is going on briskly We are detained here for supplies, the Avon having sustained injuries on her last trip. Saturday Feb. 6. The natives again appear determined to make their presence in the vicinity of the camp unpleasantly realised by those having the temerity to wander unprotected any distance from our advanced line of sentries. A body of troops may pass from camp to camp, or on foraging expeditions, perfectly unmolested, the natives wisely allowing free passage unchallenged, or if danger of discovery impends beating a quick retreat to another place of safety ; but the case is different when a solitary individual, ' or a few J stragglers from the camp, pass in the vicinity of the scouts lying hid in the fern, which, in this part of the country, grows to a considerable height. Scarcely a day has passed since our encampment here that the Maoris have not attempted to shoot soldiers and others who had ventured a short distance from camp on foraging expeditions on their own account, after potatoes, peaches, &c. An incident of this nature occurred yesterday afternoon. Two soldiers of the 50th Regiment whilst bathing in the Waipa, jormed the resolution of visiting a potato cultivation at the foot of the Pirongia ranges, for the purpose of bringing back a quantity of potatoes for supper. Having crossed the river, they were proceeding to the potato plot when a number of Maoris showed themselves and fired several times. One of the shots took effect in the heel of- one of the Boldier?j named, Dowd,
and a ball grazed the head of the other soldier. Fortunately they mado good their escape without further injury. It is doubtful however, whether others who may have crossed the river during the course Of the day, With the same object in view, have been so fortunate, for at a late hour lost night and indeed this morning, two men of the same regiment are reported missing — being absent without leave. Their absence cannot be accounted for in any other manner than that they have fallen illto the hands of the enemy, or been shot down and remain where they have fallen. An exciting chase by natives happened yesterday to Lieutenant-Colonel Haveldck, and tho orderly attending him, but luckily Was not at' tended with anything more serious than the loss of a horse. It occurred on the east side of Paternflgl, and was watched with intense interest by both Europeans and Maoris. During the earlier part of the morning the rebels had been in an unusually quiescent state, evidently all hands being employed to deepen tho rifle pits, strengthen the parapet of the redoubt, and extend the defences on the east side — (the place is far too extensive already to be effectively guarded by the force havihg command of the position) — but this is not to the purpose. The only natives showing themselves for any length of time on the morning in question were two bodies of rebels, working with great diligence on the east side of the rodoubt. Suddenly, and apparently most unexpectedly to them, two shells, fired from the' Armstrong guns, burst in their midst, creating great consternation, and ■causing them at once to discontinue their labdurs in that -portion of their stronghold. Whether any were injured- it was impossible tc tell at such a great distance. The natives then appeared to confine themselves to deepening the trenches and labouring in the pits — the earth thrown up on the Bides of the ditches Bhowing how zealously they worked despite the incessant popping fire of our skirmishers, who lost no opportunity of discharging their pieces on the merest glimpse of a man's head or body. The rebels did not deign to return the^flre until the day had well advanced, when they made amends — so far as the number of shots fired could be supposed to do so — for any apparent disrespect. It may have possibly arisen from the apparenj^quietude of the natives, and influenced by the pelief that they were too busily employed on theirvextensive works to spare any men to prowl about as scouts, that Lieutenant-Colonel Havelock was induced to attempt a reconnaissance of the enemy's position on the north side — the only one now remaining not commanded by the fire of our skirmishers or the artillery, and along which runs the road to the head of the Mangapiko, whence convoys are frequently noticed arriving. It was about twelve o'clock when Lieutenant-Colonel Havelock and his orderly having gone a considerable distance along the plain in advance of tho outsentri s, was to be seen approaching tho foot of a liill forming portion of the range leading to the north side of the redoubt. Colonel Nixon, and other officers engaged criticising the proportions of the natives redoubt by the aid of powerful glasses, happened to turn their attention to the side on which Colonel Havelock was riding, when several natives were seen creeping through the fern on the crest of the hill towards the place where Lieuten-ant-Colonel Havelock was approaching. Other natives were running alo.ng the edge of the marshy plain at the foot. Colonel Nixon at once des-" patched a messenger to the officer in command of our redoubt, requesting him to take measures to apprise Lieutenant-Colonel Havelock of his danger. In a few minutes this was effectively done — in a manner which could not be misunderstood. A shell fired from one of the Armstrong guns, burst high in the air over the heads of the natives on the hill, and for a short time caused them to hesitate as to the advisability of beating a retreat or advancing. The natives in the plain; however, continued to advance, but their intended victims had turned their horses' heads and were making their way back to camp. A very short distance had, however, been traversed, before an accident occurred — the horse of one of the orderlies becoming bogged in an did potato v hole. The orderly, finding it impossible to extricate the horse from its position then took off his saddle, and securing his carbine and sword, assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel Havelock, made good his retreat. . The natives were at this time approaching too close to be pleasant, and he had not time to secure the bridle. Before the Maoris had come up to the place, tho horse had struggled out of the hole, and the native then first on the spot tried to capture it. On the other hand, it appeared to be the determination of the artillery that he and his companions coming up should not be successful. Shell after shell was despatched as an intimidation, and the out sentinels tried their best efforts at long range to knock him over. The excitement at this moment was of the most intense description — a chase for life or death being enacted as it were, in a great amphitheatre ; the stakes being the life of a horse versus the life of a man or men. The play was being carried out in a great natural basin, surrounded on all sides by hills, on the summits of which the spectators, classed into two bodies — deadly foes — viewed the entire performance without let or hindrance. Twice the native tried to head the horse and prevent it following its master towards our lines, and twice the horse got the better, of him. The native then losing all hopo of capturing the animal, and fearing to approach within rifle range, again got by the side or the animal, and raising his gun, shot it. The horse, had scarcely fallen before a loud shout of triumph sounded throughout the valley from the Maoris therein, and being taken up by the dusky warriors on the north side of the redoubt was reechoed with highest acclaim. The number of their voices was soon augmented by the arrival 0 ' the natives who had taken part in the affecting drama, for the unpleasant explosions of shells too close to their over-sensitive ears caused the poor fellows to run (without metaphor) for their very life. Heavy firing was shortly after opened from the redoubt on our skirmishers, and continued throughout the day.
. February 8. Tho rebels were remarkably quiet yesterday, not a single shot being fired to disturb the equanimity of any straggler from our forces who might take it into his head to approach nearer than usual to the pa. On Saturday, however, they practised rather a ' cute dodge' on our advanced line of skirmishers, and doubtless enjoyed the trick amazingly, so long as they found the soldiers simple enough to be taken in. I stated in my letter of that day that heavy firing was going on between our sharpshooters in front of the pa and the rebels sheltering behind the parapets and pits at Paterangi. Not a rebel could show his head over the top of the rifle-pit for a single instant, or run at his utmost speed across the open space from one line of trenches to another, without a complete volley of shots and a shower of bnllets testifying to the wakefulness of the soldiers, and their determination to make their residence in the redoubt as uncomfortably hot and unpleasant as possible. Taking advantage of this overwatchfulness, and possibly with the view of distracting the attention of their persecutors whilst certain operations were attended to, a few dummy figures were rigged up in old clothes, and fixed at intervals along the inside of the parapet. The skirmishers fired at these, no doubt, with telling shots, and the natives standing near the figures returned it with interest; but after a short time the trick was discovered, when the soldiers showed themselves equal to the occasion. Standing behind the long fern, the skirmishers' body would scarcely be visible to the Maoris in the pa, the head alone of the soldiers generally appearing above the green fronds of his Blight shelter. Several of the soldiers accordingly took off their caps, and placing them on -the tops of the fern, retired a short distance off to watch the effect of
delusion upon the enemy, and from their new positions takb advantage of the firing of the rebels to drop a few balls in the spot whence the smoke issued; What the Maori loss may have been I cannot toll, but so far as regards thfir firing upon our trbdpS from the pa, hot one of their bullets has found a liillet in the skins of the soldiers. A deserter from the 65th Regt., of the name of Thomas Purdan, was brought into camp a few days agd from Taranaki, where it is said, he had been taken ot given himself up as a prisoner. He had been living with tho Maoris at Mokau for eight or nine years, and employed as a sawyer; He has appeared before the General j and told His story 5 but whether he was able to impart much information, as to the strength, recourse, &&., of the enemy, I cannot pretend to say. A few days ago, the Forest RangerSn in command of Capt. Jackson, were fortunate enough to discover, during one of their excursions, a large canoe, which had been sontewhat ingeniously concealed by the natives up a small creek, a few miles' from this camp. Beforo being brought vp } a quantity of potatoes and peaches, from Maori cultivations, were placed in the bottom as ballast, arid the rangers theh padd[ed lip with their prize< The tents were to be struck this afternoon'j and the whole force Will concentrate at the redoubt in front of the rebel pa at Paterangi, with the exception of the troops remaining to guard the several redoubts thrown up here. On Tuesday morning 1 the main body will again resume their march ■further intend- ~ •.- - _(k( k . A i* „<» .. ,' : i\ •, Three of our' soldiers are said to have been wounded at an early hour this morning. When the picket turned out as usual to relieve' those ,who had been on guard all night, a number of natives f who had crept through the fern, fired upon tnem, and succeeded in hitting three. The rebels are also reported to have sustained a similar injury — three or four being either wounded or killed. Firing has been brisk at tho Front all morning. His excellency the Governor ib Baid to have arrived at Whatawhata. . . . Tuesday, February 9. In my letter of yesterday I stated that the troops were under orders to proceed during 'the' course of the afternoon to the camp before Paterangi, leaving behind only a. sufficient force to guard the redoubts thrown up around here, and to keep the rebels somewhat in bounds until the General should have carried out his plans as regarded his marching upon Rangiawhia, with the view of cutting off the Maori supplies. Shortly after the mail had left, however, the order to resume our march was countermanded, and again the long lines of white tents soon re-ap* peared on the several camping grounds, and the soldiers busied themselves in re-arranging their fern beds, whilst others attended to the unpacking of kits and camp kettles, containing the odds and ends of th<J 16 or IS soldiers crowded in one tent, and consequently messing together. It was stated that the cause of the detention was the receipt of intelligence that tho Avon, when on her. passage down the river from this place, had struck with considerable force on a snag, and knocked a hole in her bottom. She is said to have sunk, at the bows, in ten feet of water, the stern still remaining exposed. Should this latter rumour be correct, the continuance of the position taken up by the General at this place becomes a subject demanding the most serious consideration, and must be admitted to present no inconsiderable difficulty to the prosecutidn ef the war to a successful termination. The demands upon the commissariat stores by near 3,000 troops — independent of food for horses and bullocks — rises to an almost incredible amount during thecourse Of a few days, and any unforeseen accident' in the complex chain of -communication, tells with startling effect upon the continually decreasing quantity of stores provided by judicious forethought to meet, the wants of the troops for several days to come. The disruption occasioned by the misadventure" to 'the Avon, will' necessitate, other meatis beings t.iken to supp'y' the tnops with the necess'r aries of life in this, at present, almost deserted country. • t The statement goirig-tjhe'ron'nd of the camp yeiterday that four soldiers had been wounded at. the position before Paterangi, appear?" unfortunately .to be too true, — our men falling quite unexpectedly, into the'trap so cunningly laid for, them. The'un/ fortunate men were marching out with the picket at an early hour in tho morning to relieve theircomrades who had been out all night. The morn- . ing^was exceedingly foggy, and before the pickethad 'an opportunity of discovering the presence of Maoris in their vicinity, a heavy volley was fired into them. The natives then beat a speedy retreat but were fired dn in return, and ~jt is said their nnmbers were diminished by the rifle bullets of the picket. The following is a copy of the returns furnished by Dr. Mouat, Deputy Inspector General. Nominal Return of Wounded of the 40th Regisient, at Camp before Paterangi, Bth February, 1864. Private William Carman, slight contusion of left side. Private William Burridge, severe wound of right arm. Ball passed through. Private H. Fleming, severe wound of right temple. Bni\ lodged. _ ' Private W. Connor, dangerous wo.und through the neck, with paralysis. Ball oxtracted. It is much to be feared two of the BOldiers will succumb to the injuries ihflicted.' ' This morning Corporal Ridings was. shot in'the foot, whilst acting with the skirmishers in front of Paterangi. The Mil has since been extracted. The natives are not permitted to .rest quietly in their whares at night, it being the practice of the gunners in charge of the Armstrongs, to pitch a shell or two every night into the redoubt, as^ a small token of remembrance. Yestorday morning a, number of natives showed themselves on open ground in the redoubt, and appeared busily cooking, until, a Bhell thrown in their midst created great consternation, and caused them to jump into the trenches rather hastily. Three unfortunates, however,' appeared to have received more than they could carry for they remained stretched npon the ground .until a posse of natives made a dash from the ditches and dragged them into cover. The ; roadto the camp, in front, of Pateraigi is scarcely considered safe as shots were fired at travellers, this morning by na» lives. A regular fusiladealso occurred across the river, abont seven o'clock, the enemy firing from the foot of Pirongia Ranges at the convoy about to start from Whatawhata.His Excellency the Governor arrived in camp about five o'clock lost evening, being accompanied by his private secretary Mr. W. Seed ; the Hon. T. Russell, Minister of War ; aed Mr. Rice, interpreter. This morning his Excellency, and the General rode up to tho camp before Paterangi. The Governor started about ten o'clock for the purpose of returning to town. Nothing of any further* importance occurred un» till lliu 7th on the morning of wtveh date Maoris were observed on a fern hill to the left front of the camp. Every morning a strong piquet bad been posted on this hill, and sentries all along the front of our camp: the hill piquet coining in at dusk. No doupt the object of (he natives in lying on this hill was to surpdse the party coming on piquet' which u-ally numbered tome 25 men, in charge of an officer. But being observed, seeirg that the piquet was rein forced, they prudently declined to contest theirground,aml made off to their defences closely accompanied by a. lew leaden messengc-is from our advancing piquet. ,Bnt 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, piquet was marched out as usual, dropping sentries as it proceeded at intervals of abont 25 yards; and by the time the piquet reached the fool of the b'll it was reduced the an officer and eight men. As this barty were proceeding up the hill, they were saluted- by a volley i'rom a body of natives who lay
in ambush about 25 yards in their front. The little party returned the fire, and fell ba-k slowly, being HJ^ this time rcluced-to five men three having b«en wounded by the first discharge. Tue inlying piquet was turned out, and proceeded at the double to the assistance of their hard-pressed comrades.; but the Maoris had no intention of a stanl up fi^ht They had played out the their li ttlf! game, and so thry had vanished when the piquet reached the hijl< Bui a lew were seen creeping up the opo--iie tsloHes, and a rapid fire was opened on them, and two «eife seen to fall. The following are the casualties: — William Connor, 40thi wounded dangerously throuh the netJkj William Burrige, 40ih severely wounded in the right arm; Henry Lleming, 40th, dangerous^ Ht'duOded j n the head; William Carman 40th, slightly'Wunded in the side. . Cunstani firing goes on between the natives and our advanced picquet and sentries, but the former kept their heads pfctty well down in 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. n native will get up oij^hsifpaj'apet and wave a blanket, but they don't stdyloiig up, generally jjbin rather faster than they come up, becaus- cur men are on the look out, and they always salute the would-be brave with a valfey ; and sometimes the gunn -w, who a>e also on the qni oice^gjye them the benefit of an Armstrong shell. A goud deal of shouting goes on between the skirmishers and Hie fellows in the pits. The MaotJ^W4{jftome':ou, Jack, charge.." ".Pakaru ihe'.liois, Sic./and our men r.eturn the compliment -}n a',sdixturf o£brsen Miofi and Engljsh. . j* B J )Vrt THEFROSf. Nk impflfta'nt .nesrs V.as*received from the Fron last night. Jfthe ndvanqe Of the troops was delayed, in consequence of thS.nncertainty of receiving supplies throUgjf the unfortunate accident to be ' Avon* that difficulty will now be obviated, as the ' Kolieroa' is leady to take her place. We avoided raising ihe fears oPour readers yesterday abotit this lastnamed vessel; b?Heving that the accident to tier was of a comparatively trivial nature 1 . We are now glad to flnd'frnm the telegram we publish that such waslhe casE.*iWe .rust, therefore that with the active ,stens now being liken by the' authorities, little difficulty wjll be experienced, in, keeping up the supplies for the'three thousand troops now before the rebel position at the Fiont. There was a ru ■ mour Meremer that, a large number of the rebels had deserted their. ppst? but this Was piobatily only a rumour, as intelligence of it would otherwise have reached Auckland from head- quarters before vow. :s; THF f 'KOHEROA.' The following telegram was received by thf Government; from Mr. Russell, last evening, and it is satisfactory^ find from it, that the accident to the ' Koheroa ' was so slight as not to delay her progress much; ~' i Vt> (telegram.) :'JV Queen's Redoubt, . \r 7. 30. p.m., Feb. 12. The ' Koheroa, ' towing the' flats, has gone up the river.' The Commodore expects to be w ; th the General t'6-irorrow evening. The vessel answers admirably, ami the accident was the result of bad inanagemept. -, ♦
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Herald, Volume XII, Issue 603, 20 February 1864, Page 3
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4,130THE WAR IN AUCKLAND. Taranaki Herald, Volume XII, Issue 603, 20 February 1864, Page 3
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THE WAR IN AUCKLAND. Taranaki Herald, Volume XII, Issue 603, 20 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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