EVACUATION OF MEREMERE.

Press, Volume III, Issue 325, 14 November 1863, Page 2

EVACUATION OF MEREMERE.

By the Lord Ashley, which arrived in Lytteltot late yesterday afternoon, we hare received th< news which we have been so long anxiously expecting, though unaccompanied with the decisiv. results which we had hoped for. We take th following particulars from the Southern Cross o the 2nd instant. Our Special Correspondent has just ridden ii from the Queen's Redoubt, and supplied us witl the following important intelligence. MERKMEKB HAS FALLEN. At length public impatience lias been satisfied, and I am glad to cay without sacrifice of life. My previous despatches would have prepared the public for what has now taken place, if the> had been in time for an earlier publication. Now however, I am happy to be able to supply tin break in the narrative, as I happened to be thi only representative of the Press present on the occasion of the occupation of Meremcrc.

It will be recollected that on Friday last General Cameron and Staff, accompanied by the Commodore and several naval oflicers, made a reconnaissance of the Waikato river, to the neighbourhood of Rangiriri. On the return of the Pioneer, an expedition was organised on a large scale by thr General, and between ten and eleven o'clock at night the men of the various branches of tin service, nearly six hundred strong, marched fron. the Queen's Redoubt to the naval camp, from whence they were transported in boats to tin Pioneer and Avon, both lying in the Waikato.

The embarkation of the column was conducted with celerity, and shortly before dawn on Saturday morning, the gunboats, with the iron-clad cargo boats in tow, passed the enemy's position ai Jleremerc. It was nearly dark, fortunately, otherwise there would have been a considerable sacrifice of life. The men were crowded iv the Pioneer far beyond the number she was intended to carry (about 600), and if the enemy had seen their exposed position, as they sat together on the upper flush deck, they would have picked off a great number with their musketry. As it was, they contented themselves by saluting the flotilla with three shots frem the heavy guns, which had no effect. From the hurtling sound the Maori projectiles made, they were supposed to be angular bodies of iron or other metal; and from the rapidity with which they fired, one would suppose the pieces would necessarily buret.

The flotilla passed, and proceeded up the river to v point ou the eastern bank opposite, but two miles above, Takapau. A lauding was quietly eilected at the edge of the high land which abuts on the river. Skirmishers were sent out, and the highest point on the ridge was selected as our position. Here a temporary field work was thrown up to protect the troops from sudden surprise, and three guns were got into position. A gunboat was detached from the flotilla at this point to cut off the water communication between Jkleremcre and Rangiriri. The jwsition in question commands the high wad to Rangiriri oa the one hand, and to ■ ereinere ou the other, and moreover it is unassailable. By this means General Cameron turned the enemy's rear, and also converted the assault to an attack in the rear, instead of a front attack, which the enemy expected, and for which he was well prepared.

Matters stood in this way until Sunday afternoon, with the exception that the steamers were fired on coining down the river on Saturday evening, but it was noticeable, even then, how few of the enemy were in the pits.

Another column, to join the first and by a rear movement march upon Mercmere, was under orders to march early on Sunday night, and to advance by the early dawn on the enemy. But while the question was being debated in military and semi-mililary circles, as to the course the enemy would take, the Maoris uudcrlouk to solve

: se problem. At an early hour yesterday they ictook themselves to their canoes, paddling owards the Thames. The column wae to have narched last night to the support of the body of aen at the front; but a despatch from Captain Mielps to General Cameron, apprising him that he enemy were leaving Meremerc, fifteen canoe oads going off at once, hastened their movement. i'he men in the naval camp were paraded, and in few minutes after the receipt of the despatch, the reneral went down to the Maungatawhiri. Boats vere taken, and orders give., at the 12th camp for ; detachment of 125 rank and file, with officers md non-commissioned officers. The same number of the 1-tth, under Colonel Austen, were likewise •jrdered. Theee embarked on board the Pioneer, ho General and his staff going up in the Avon, uid making a reconnoissance.

On ncaring Meremcre, the despatch was found obe but too true' Out-gcneralled at all points, hey ran for it before coming to a fight. The ivers had overflowed their banks in all directions, tad there was a complete inland sea to the east of .leremere. Across this overflow of the rivers they >addled in their canoes on Saturday night and Sunday morning, abandoning their position to us vithout a blow.

The storming party was led by Commander Vfayne, R.N., and 150 blue jackets, the gallant Commander being the first ashore. Of the army, Major Macneill, A.D.C., was first on the enemy's vorks, Captain Heaphy, A.R.V., closely following. I'he military were rapidly landed, and in a short ime spread over the position. The works were •xtensive and formidable. Everything moveable iad been removed. One 12-lb carronade and a 'Alb gun was got, and the place where the third ;un was pitched into the water was ascertained. T x will be, doubtless, recovered. The small gun ras brought oil board the Pioneer.

The troops occupy Meremere to-night. I will rive a description of this position in my next, as line docs not permit a more extended report at •resent. Meanwhile, I may congratulate he country on the bloodless victory that ias been gained. The Maoris, by abandoning heir position, guns, and cultivation, acknowledged lieinselves foiled by the generalship of our comiiandant, who has now the actual command of the •Vaikato to Ngaruawahia. The Natives had ilmost entirely abandoned Rangiriri when last veen, and as it is not a post to be defended, being greatly exposed from the river, I suppose when icxt heard of, it likewise will fall without a blow. I congratulate General Cameron and the country m the result of the expedition.