THE GATE PAH.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 175, 20 May 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE GATE PAH.

The special correspondent of tlie Southern Cm;. v, writing front Taurangu, May Ist, thus describes the memorable Gate Pah :

“ Ami now a short description of the pa will not be out of place. The rebels took advantage of a trench about, throe feet deep, cut as the boundary line on the To Papa block, between the mission and native land. The ground rises gradually from each swamp, until the summit, is attained where the main pa stood across the road to the interior. From the level of the Papa block the elevation is slight—about fifty feet, and the ascent in front is not difficult. On both flanks of redoubt the approach is level, the land inclining towards the swamps rather above than below the level of the flanking trenches. The ditch was cleared out and deepened to the swamps. On the left flrnk they constructed three linos of traversed rifle-pits, ami surrounded them with a ti-trce wove fence which enclosed a space of eight yards wide by thirty yards in length. This was the place from which the volley was discharged on Friday morning when the action commenced, and from these pits tiie heaviest flanking fire came during the assault. These works, and a ditch seventy yards long, protected their left front against any force advancing from our extreme right, and were an important part of the defences. The

main pa, connected in llio way described with the flanking redoubt, was constructed in precisely the same way. It was about eighty yards in length by 30 in breadth in the centre, and 20 at the flanking corner?. There were three tiers of zig-zag rifle pits, communicating with each oilier, and at first sight looking very much like a labyrinth. On careful examination, however, it would be seen that after the first fire a resolute body of men assailing the place and having obtained a footing in the works would have the advantage of the defenders. The rifle pits were roofed with ti-tree wattles and thatched with fern; ami the eaves of the roof were raised about six or eight inches above the level of the parapet to enable the garrison to fire out on their assailants. In some cases the roofs were covered with earth. So long, therefore, as the assailants wore before tbe works the defenders bad every tiling itheir favour ; when the assailants got into them, they had the advantage, because, standing upon the parapets and roofs in the inner trenches, which in several instances were almost bomb-proof, the defenders could not show themselves at the eaves of their rooied pits to fire without exposing themselve- to the fire and bayonets of those above them. In fact, the Gate pa was a trap in which the rebels might have been taken to a man but for the miserable panic which causelessly marred the lustre of what otherwise was a singularly successful operation. At the same time, to troops unused to such a class of fortifications, the novelty of the defences, and the heavy fire from masked assailants, could not fail to check, in some degree, their ardour ; and so far there must be allowance made for the men. The fact, must not be lost sight of, however, that tbe pa was actually in their bands after the first charge, if they bad distributed themselves and held the works ; the only numerous body of defenders being those in the left of their position, who could not venture to make their escape owing to the disposition of our forces. These men could soon have been disposed of; ami indeed, as it was, it is inexplicable why the works occupied by them were not carried, as they were reported to have been. Once in the pa at the breach, and the post and rail fence was no protection to the men in the pits, as they were exposedto a raking fire on their right, and their retreat by the swamp was cut off by Ensign Cartwright's parly. \\ hen those escaping were driven back by the charge of the Gdlli, it they had met a proper reception they might not have resisted ; but seeing tbe confusion and irresolution of the stunners, they look advantage of the circumstance and renewed the light with redoubled vigour. Their (ire was terribly heavy on the retreating column. The stockading of the pa was, first—a three-post and rail fence. Behind these was the first line of roofed rifle pits, communicating with those in the rear. The rebels bad excavated houses under tbe banks of their pits, where they lived, and when the pa was taken there were a number of blood-stained blankets about.