THE SEAT OF WAR.

Bruce Herald, Volume II, Issue 51, 30 March 1865, Page 6

THE SEAT OF WAR.

SKIRMISH AT PATE A. By the courtesy of the hon. MajorAtkinson we have been furnished with the following : Official Despatch. Kakaremiri, March 1:3, 18G5-. Sir, — I have the honor to report tor thejnformation of the Lent. General comi manding that, agreeably with his orders,. 1 the Field Force under my command moved i out from our position on the Petea River at 7, a.m, on the 13th inst., with the object of advancing to this village. After | advancing some three miles, the right flank of our line of march was commanded by a range of hills affording a very strong position, which the enemy did not fail to. occupy, and from which they opened fire.. The advance guard, composed of the 57th-. liegt. under the command of Major Butler, then changed direction to the right ;, and supported by a portion of the 08th liegt., commanrted by Lieut.-Colonel Moraut, and a company ot the 50th liegt., in charge of Capt. Johnson (die remainder of the regiment tuider command of Major Lock being held in reserve), advanced upon rhe enemy and drove them from, their positiou after a stout resistance, while a few rounds were tired, under the direction of Liet. Colonel Williams, from theArmstrong guns. During the whole of the skirmish the undaunted Military Train, and the few Wanganui Defence Corps attached ta them, under the command of Captain Mitchell, were to be seen with the advan.ce,.

ilin .,- themselves of all ground that admitted of their closing with the enemy. A company of the 57th Regiment,, with Capt. Sir Robert Douglas, followed- up a portion of the enemy on the extreme right along a range of hills overhanging the . river, which separated them from the main body, and I was much, pleased in watching, the way in which he worked his men. I beg to bring the name of Sergeant O'Connor, 57th regiment, to the Lieut.General's notice, as being conspicious for his soldierlike bearing, under my own observation. I need not call the attention of the JjLjeut.- General to Major Greaves, D.A. '*trsM. General to the Field Force, who is so conspicious on all occasions fbr his energy and daring, but I feel it my duty to record my thanks to him, as also to Capt. Leach, RA.A. General, for their assistance. I cannot conclude without, recording the debt we- all owe to Staff Field Surgeon Home, whose anxiety to be ready to aid any wounded led him to be always up with the advance, and I know that his kind attention and sympathy to the wounded during this campaign is much felt by the soldiers. I have the honor, &c, H. Weare, Colonel, Commanding Field Force. Nominal return of killed and wounded at Te Awi, 13th March, 1865 :— Private James Nixon, 57th Regiment, killed, shot l >vongh tbe head ; Private George Nichols, fc^iiitaiy Train, severely wounded ; Private Hubert Bittes, 57th Regiment, very severely wounded ; Lance-Sergeant John Castles, 68th Regiment, severely wounded. J. Mouat, Inspector-General, P.M.O. Pehi. — This chief returned up the river yesterday, a ter taking the oath of allegiance. His son Tophi, was down to-day, and had a interview with the Governor, whom he told that he would not take the oath of allegiance, but wished to live in amity with his loyal fellow countrymen. His excellency dismissed him rather un-j_-ceremoniously, and saiel that he would look after him ami rake him prisoner yet. It is a pity that his Excellency left the capture ro a future and indefinite time. wk The Governor's Stay. — We are informed that his Excellency purposes making a stay here of some length. He is looking about for a piece of ground (400 or 500 acres) in the neighborhood of the town, on which to build a suitable residence. In that case the park would be opened as a public pleasure ground, which would be a great boon ro the inhabitants. — ' Wanganui Chronicle.