THE WAR IN WAIKATO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 170, 15 April 1864, Page 3

THE WAR IN WAIKATO.

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE _ FIGHT. [From the Daily Southern Cross, April' 8. April 4. The rebel pa at Orakau having now fallen into our possession, it may seem fitting that something should bo said regarding the commencement of the affair, seeing that whilst the engagement was going on without solution of continuity, and deeply engrossing incidents occurring fast and furiously, it was a moral impossibility for any but a stoic to crouch into a whare, or seeking the cooling shade of some sheltered grove, then and there to write anything like a clear or intelligible narrative of the varied events transpiring at this future memorable settlement. There was also the very probable contingency that, whilst the narrator was penning down his communication, an entirely new phase might be given to the aspect of affairs by a successful breach and assault, or an evacuation from the position by the rebels ; it was under these circumstances, therefore, that your correspondent contented himself with forwarding stray sheets and telegrams notifying that the engagement was still going on, and, in thus appeasing the minds of the anxious public, trusted that after trenching a little further on their patience, time and the course of events would permit something like a connected story of the spirited action which has occasioned so many casualties on our side, might be given. It would be impossible, however, for a non-übiquitous eye-witness to give a tithe of the instances of devotion to duty and spirit-stirring scenes which occurred throughout the engagement. Until the despatches are published by order in the Gazette, specifying the particular operations of each body of troops, a bare narration of events must be accepted. To commence, then, it may be stated that at half-past twelve o’clock on the night of the 30th ultimo, or rather morning of the 31st, a force of about 280 men, consisting of detachments from the Forest Rangers (under Captain Von Tempsky), 65th (under Captain Bulkeley), and 40th regiments, the whole under the command of Major F. S. Blyth, stated from Te Awamutu in the direction of Kihikihi, under the guidance of Mr. Gage. On reaching the mill the road was taken to the right, and the Punio river crossed. The distance travelled was about six miles beyond Orakau. At six o’clock in the morning a second body of troops, numbering about 600, left Awamutu for Orakau, and was composed of headquarters of the 40th (under Colonel Leslie), 100 of the 18th (under Captain Ring), 25 Forest Rangers (under Lieut. Roberts), and about 40 Mounted Artillery (under Lieutenant Rait). Two 6-pounder guns were also taken. BrigadierGeneral Carey was in command. On arriving at Kihikihi, the force was further strengthened by reinforcements from the 65th, under Ensign Chater, and militia under Colonel Haultain—numbering in all about 150. The march was resumed about five o’clock, and the troops arrived at the village of Orakau fresh about daybreak. Dr. White, of the 65th, accompanied the BrigadierGeneral’s force, and Dr. Styles, of the 40th, went out with Major Blyth’s party. About four o’clock, a third force started from the redoubts at Rangiawhia and Haeirini, composed of soldiers from the 65th and militia, under the commands of Captains Blewitt and Gower. This force advanced through the bush to the north-east of the village ; Major Blyth’s orders were to proceed towards the south-east side Of the settlement, by re-crossing the river, if any firing should be heard ; and the head-quarters moved towards the west of a small grove of peach trees and acacias, where it was suspected the enemy were strongly entrenching themselves. The whole arrangements for surrounding the place suspected were admirably carried out; and the enemy, iu seeking to draw the troops into a trap, were themselves caught napping. On the force, under the BrigadierGeneral, arriving at the village, five Maories were seen, but who quickly made good use of their legs ; and, in endeavoring to escape, came across Major Blyth’s party, and one was shot. The others got away. As the troops advanced towards what ultimately proved to bo the masked pa, a few natives showed themselves on the gentle slope on which it was situate and fired a few shots. The 18th and Forest Rangers were in front, and at once charged the natives. A company of the 40th, under Captain Hinds, furnished the supports. The Maories retired as the troops came up in skirmishing order, and on nearing some flax bushes it was then discovered there was a post and rail fence, rifle-pit or trench, and parapet. The strength of the position was naturallv concealed by the grove of trees and flax bushes. Captain Ring bad advanced to within 4 yards of the rifle pit, and the troops with him, when a heavy volley met them and eight fell killed and wounded, including the brave captain himself, who was mortally wounded. On receiving this repulse, the troops retired a few yards, but were quickly reinforced by a few soldiers under Captain Hinds, and again the charge was made with an unsuccessful result. Captain Fisher led the third attack, and was then dangerously wounded in the baca. The six-pounder guns were afterwards brought into position, and under the direction of Lieut. Carre, played upon the pa for about half an hour. It was at this time that Major Blyth’s force was seen working round in rear of the Maories, who must from this time have given up all hope of retiring to the bush at their rear, should the attentions at the front from the troops become too pressing. The supple-

mentary force from Bangiawhia had also arrived, and the pa being thus effectually surrounded, the Brigadier-General gave orders that a flying sap should be commenced, and this was accordingly done. For this purpose, the gabions which had been constructed at Te Awamutu, with the view of being forwarded to Pukerimu, were immediately called into requisition, and soldiers employed also making gabions in the swamp on the south side. To prevent the rebels escaping during the night whilst the sap was in operation, messengers were sent to Te Bore for reinforcements, and also to head-quarters ; the result being that 95 men of the 12th, under Captain Vcrocker, arrived from Te Bore, and detachments of the 18th under Capt Hannan, 70th under Capt. Cary, and Capt. Jackson’s company of Forest Bangers from Pukerimu, were added to those of our Forces already on the field, making a total of about 1,500 troops. The Maoris in the pah were estimated to number about 300, the leading chief being Eewi. The sap was continued during the whole of the night, under the superintendence of Lieutenant Hurst, of the 12th, without very serious molestation by the Maories. The lire was well kept up on both sides, and the rebels do not seem to have thought of making their escape. During the course of Friday the firing on the part of the Maoris considerably slackened, and as sensibly increased on our side, owing to the protection afforded by the gabions enabling the soldiers to fire at close range at the pah. The wounds wh.ch occurred to our men in the trenches were in many instances entirely owing to the sufferer’s want of caution, in exposing his head too long a time over the gabions, when desirous of getting a shot at a Maori’. A few were said to have been wounded by Maoris firing from trees round the pah. An immense expenditure of ammunition took place on our side ; no less than -19,000 rounds of Enfield ammunition being served out during the day. Dr. Mouatt, Deputy Inspector-General, arrived from Pukerimu, about noon; and the wounded were likewise attended by Dr. Spencer, of the 18th, and other medical gentlemen connected with the various regiments on the field. A large number of Maories showed in the bush, and on the range on the Bangiawhia side ; and continuously fired to warn their brethren in the pah that they had arrived as a reinforcement, but the Forest Bangers, 65th, and Militia, effectually kept them in check, as well as favoring the occupants of the redoubt with very heavy and continued discharges. Several shots were also fired at the rebel reinforcement from the 6-pound-er gun, and if no actual injury was done, it served to frighten and scatter them in various directions, as ascertained afterwards by the fresh positions from which they harmlessly discharged their pieces. A few shots were also fired upon them from the twelve-pounder at Bangiawhia. They never attempted to break our line for the purpose of reaching the pah ; but it is said during the course of the night a Maori stole through and got into the pah. Abont midnight, a chief wbs heard addressing the rebels, urging them to make a sortie upon those in the trenches, and his harangue was so effectual that about 30 Maories sprang upon the parapet as a first step towards the attack. But they did not not proceed further ; for Captain Hereford of the Militia, who had been most actively employed in the trenches from the first, prepared those near him to resist them, and no sooner were the dark bodies of the rebels dimly visible on the top of the parapet, than a heavy volley met them, and they fell back iu utter confusion—and some doubtless to rise no more. The Maories, then, it has since been learnt, commenced the making of a white flag, and had half-finished it when it was determined that no flag of truce should be hoisted. The sap meanwhile progressed with unabated vigor, and by noon of Saturday near upon 500 yards had been completed, including detni-paral-lels and traverses. The General and Staff arrived from Pukerimu about this time, and the escort accompanying them also brought a quantity of hand grenades. One of the six-pounder guns was also placed in position in the sap, about 20 yards distant from the pah paling, and being loaded with grape was repeatedly discharged, the hand grenades thrown over whilst the gun was again being charged, and these added to the perpetual crack of the rifles round the whole position, made a most deafening noise, and as may be imagined presented the rebels from looking for an instant over the ditch or parapets. General Cameron and Staff visited the sap several times during the day, and the General expressed his entire concurrence with the whole of th*e operations. The sap was carried into a branch trench from the pah, and again struck off in a parallel towards the north side. It was about this about this time that Mr. Mainwaring and Mr. Mair were instructed to place themselves as near to the pah as was consistent with their own safety, and to propose to the rebels that they should surrender. This was accordingly done. The firing ceased for a few minutes, and the the natives being called to give their attention were informed that these were the words of the General. He had seen their great bravery, and admired it; but that if they continued fighting they must all be killed. He would, therefore, ask them to surrender, and they would be treated well. A chief then answered—“ 11 hoa ma, te Tenpu tenei a te Maori. Ka whawhai tonu, alee, alee, alee /” (Friends: this is the word of the Maori. They will fight on. for ever, and ever, and ever). On this determined response being given firing was recommenced, and shortly afterwards a dashing but ill-considered attack was made from the sao on the pah. It appears that a soldier working in the sap throw his cap into the enemy’s trench, and then rushed in after it. About twenty others, composed of militia, Forest Bangers, and regulars, working and firing near, followed after him, and led by Capt. Hereford, succeeded in crossing the paling and getting in the trench ; but here a deadly volley met them, from Maories crowded in the place almost as dense as they could be packed, and out of the twenty, ten were either killed or wounded. Capt. Hereford was shot through the eye ; he had previously, whilst engaged in the sap, received three slight wounds. Ensign Chater, of the 65tb, was shot through the side. Private Armstrong, militia, killed; and Levett, also, said to be killed. T. Hannan, 18th, shot through the chest, and Worby, militia, shot through both thighs. The names of the other wounded could not bo ascertained. When the Maoris had discharged their pieces, they ran as fast as they could out of sight;

but, Capt. Hereford haring fallen, those of tho attacking party who were able retired, and brought back the dead and’ wounded, a few rifles, and other mementoes of their visit. About half an hour afterwards, another attack is said to have been made upon the position from the north and east sides, by the 63th and militia, but what casualties were received Icannot state! 4 o’clock had now arrived, and the' end of the sap being within 2 yards of the trench on the north side, 2 attacks on tho position having been made, and a heavy fire of grape and rifle-bullets being kept up, with a good shower of hand grenades, the rebels must have come to the determination that the place is becoming too hot to hold, and a retreat has been decided'upon. They appear to have slunk quietly from the north east corner, and, passing through the scrub, have emerged in the open on the south side, entrusted to the safe guarding of the 40th under Col. Leslie. The retreat appears first to have been noticed from the small breastwork thrown up as a protection for the gunners manning the second G-pounder, and near which, on the sheltered embankment, the General, BrigadierGeneral, and Staff, were discussing the mode of attack. The cry was quickly heard that the rebels were retreating, and a scene baffling description then ensued. General Cameron, BrigadierGeneral Carey, the aides (Major M’Nefl and Lieut. St. Hill), and the gallant colonels on the Stalf, were rushing about to warn and gather together the men from the sap. and various guard points to rush in pursuit. This occupied some minutes, and all this time the arch-rebels were trooping across the open to the South, and not a 40th man appears to have seen them. The Maories must have jumped over the heads of the soldiers lining the road, cut out of the steep embankment, and so passed info the swamp and high ti-tree—first wounding 2 or 3 of the 40th as a remembrance of their, passing. They went on at a jog-trot down the slope and into the swamp thus enabling the whole to keep together, for in unity only would they find strength. Major M’Neil, having warned those in the sap that the foe had fled, a large force was quickly gathered on the edge of the embankment, and firing as quickly as possible at the long line of poor wretches hastening away for very life. No attempt was made to pursue them, until the -Forest Bangers were seen leading the way round by the south-east to head them; and quickly followed by the Mounted Artillery under Lieut. Bait. Then the bugles sounded to the soldiers to cease firing and with tremendous yells the whole force dashed in pursuit. The Defence Force were next seen crossing the spur of the hill on the south-west side, and closely followed the infantry. The Mounted Artillery were observed to reach the head of the sv> amp just as the rebels were emerging, and great execution must have taken place. The Defence Force also succeeded in heading them and thus hemmed in the swamp, the work of destruction went on with great vigour. The only rebels seen to escape by Captain Pye, of the Gonial Defence Force, was a body of eight who succeeded in getting away, but rested not until they had placed a distance of about twelve miles between themselves and their, late position. The infantry and h orest Bangers did great execution in the swamp, and it is said the latter were eagerly prosecuting the work when the infantry were recalled. Ihut the rebels must have suffered severe! v in their attempted escape, may be judged from the fact that on the next day ninety-nine dead bodies had been accounted lor, and twenty-six prisoners, many of them wounded, were in our hands. Out of these, only fourteen dead were found in the pa. By one of the prisoners it was stated that Eewi was shot in the thigh before leaving the pa, and and on crossing the Punio Biver ho was again shot in the abdomen. His body was said to be lying in the swamp, and the Brigndier-General offered a reward of TIG to any soldier who might bring it in. The great inducement for, leaving the pa is said to hav.e been, that they were dying for water, and it is considered somewhat singular that in their attempt to escape they should not have made for the bush, where they must have known they had reinforcements. Amongst the dead, the following chiefs have been recognized :—Te Nahu (who had his jaw blown away in a great fight years ago, at Otawhao), and Bopata, Ngatiraukau ; Aporo, Ngatikowra ; Te Bewiti, Driwera ; Pikia, Uriwora ; Paerata, Taupo, Peniamine, To Warahao. The chief Wircmu Karamoa, Waikato, is amongst the prisoners. The rebel force was composed of drafts from tribes living from the aikato Heads as far as Wellington. Several of the accidents occurring to our forces must have arisen from bullets fired from our own rifles having failed to make a lodgment in the pa. Sergeant Kendrick was wounded in this manner, whilst standing near the commissariat. Col. Pitt had a narrqw escape whilst looking over the entrenchment near tho G-poundcr gun, the crown of his cap being torn away by a rifle ball. The accident to Lieut. Chevalier occurred by his falling on a bayonet of a 65th soldier, the weapon entering his thigh. In addition to the casualties before given, I have been made acquainted with the following:—Private Clarkson, 12th, wound of left arm; Walsh, 12th, wound in the hip; and Hughes, 12th, in the back. The pah was smaller than tho Ohaupu pah, but it is said to stand on the site of an old and very strong redoubt, and had they been permitted doubtless the rebels would soon have made the one in question impregnable. Dr. Mouatt, principal medical officer, gives the following : —Killed, 16 ; Wounded, 52 ; Total casualties, 68.