THE NATIVE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XV, Issue 861, 9 February 1861, Page 4

THE NATIVE WAR.

IMPORTANT FROM TARANAKI. ATTACK AND REPULSE OF THE NATIVES. The brigantine Pilotarrived onThursdaj afternoon bringing Wellington papers of last Friday Z\ Saturday, which contain news from New Plymouth to the 26th Januaiy, brought to Wanganui by tlm Traveller's Bride, and thence by the Tyiie f Wellington. Captain Burke has kindly favored Z with a file of papers. The following is from a! ' Taranaki Herald,' Jan. 26.— W tlie The heavest blow of the war has been struck During the week a storming party of 140 of the gallantest men that Ngatiahaua, Ngatimaaiapoto Waikato, or Ngatiawa could produce, headed by llewi, Epiha, Hapurona, and others, and supported by a reserved force of 300 more, a few hundred yards in their rear, has had the courage to attack a well entrenched redoubt full of 360 men of the 40th regt. At the grey of dawn on Wednesday the 23rd it was discovered by the sentry that this party had crept into the ditch of No. 3 redoubt, and was preparing to assault. The fire ofthe reserve kept our men from the bank, and the happy expedient was adopted of throwing live shells among the heap of living beings in the trench. After their explosion and hardly after it, our gallant fellows rushed into the ditch upon their assailants, and after a deadly struggle of twenty minutes the enemy was routed, leaving 41 dead bodies and five wounded prisoners' four of whom have since died. In the meantime, immediately on hearing the noise Colonel Wyatt sent 250 men of the 65th and 12th from the gamson of the Kairau redoubt in all haste to the scene, who passing part on one side and part on the other of the combatants fell in with the reserve, whom they attacked with the bayonet, and drove them before them into the bush. Our gallant fellows lost 5 killed and 11 wounded, and of these 11 only a part it is to be feared will recover of their wounds. The moral effect Of this affair will be immensely valuable. The extreme caution of the responsible commanders has led to the mistaken impression among the natives that our race, and especially our soldiers are physically timid. They could hardly deny our superiority in the arts and mechanism of war. Now they have felt the pluck and vigour of the hearts and arms of our soldiers; and those who have not hitherto entangled themselves in this miserable struggle will not, with a few exceptions, be likely to drop in now. The gallant 40th have abundantly retrieved Puketakauere, and recovered in the eyes of the Maori any prestige they may have lost. Colonels Wyatt and Leslie, the officers and men of the 12th, 40th, arid 65th by their wise, prompt, and bold conduct on Wednesday last, have laid a lasting debt on New Zealand—they have changed the face of the war. The timely arrival of the first instalment of the 57th Regt., and the intelligence brought by the November mail of the departure of a battery of : Armstrong guns and 250 men, with rumours of further aid, are further grounds for thankfulness.

The ' Herald's' Journal gives the following additional particulars :— Before daylight this morning about 140 natives contrived, under cover of the darkness, to creep into the ditch of No. 3 redoubt, unobserved by the sentries, and had prepared to scale the embankment by scraping steps with tomahawks and their fingers. At the grey of morning, a sentry perceived one man —the last of the party—creeping to the brow of the ditch; he fired on him, and was immediately shot dead himself. The garrison, consisting of the greater part of the 40th, under command of Co. Leslie, met the attack with great promptitude, and a scene ensued which baffles description. Our troops, as fast as they could load their rifles fired down over the parapet, and the*Vtillerymen, with great coolness, cut short the fuses ofthe shells, and lighting them, pitched them over into the trench with frightful execution, Lieut, Jackson, 40th regtwhile in the act of firing at a native over tho parapet with his revolver, was shot through thfl head, and fell mortally wounded. Some natives succeeded in getting so far up the parapet that they were bayonetted by the garrison. Tins sanguinary conflict was prolonged till daylight, wMJ the support came up from Kairau, a party ot tje 65th attacking the rebels on their right flankwhile the 12th attacked them on the left oi we redoubt ; here they met with the rebel resem, who rose up out of the fern like » , flof.,' birds. These were charged by the 12th at tw point of the bayonet, and those of the n»h»« ff"° could, turned and fled, leaving many behind them. It was all over before 6 a.m., and in thetrencwj of the redoubt and round lay 49 bodies of rebels, o onlj of whom were alive. 41 were buried in grave between No. 2 and 3 redoubts, others we buried by the friendly natives. 13 chief men ai stated to he amongst the slain, but many oi J« bodies were beyond identification. The wounae natives are all dangerously so. Our casualties 6 killed and 11 wounded, viz : — KILLED. Royal Engineers.—-Sapper George Chubb. 12th Regt.—Private Edward Archer, .y 40th Regt.—Lieutenant Jackson; Pnvato Gilbert, Private Edward Gorray. wounded. . Royal Artillery.—Daniel Bushnell, shgh J);■ . 12th Regt.-Captain T. E. Miller, ili/ft Private Patrick Cahill, severely, tomshawH, Private Edmond Power, slightly- , 40th Regt.-Private Henry Wakened,sevettj. Private John Officer, dangerously; *' ' John Mullins, slightly. xTrnvfird. 65th Regt.—Lance Corporal James now dangerously; Private Edward Sm,t% iva ta Private Joseph Robinson, ditto; Samuel Hamilton, severely.

[Prom a Correspondent.] Kairau Camp, near Huirangi, Jan. 17, ' ' Since I wrote last we have not had suo^ engagement with the enemy as would enaow

*»«*"*" "TTnhnt or decisive victory over them, an(l linport «nco tho«S h mi,2 Gi otr relations with .the rebels. ]liive oCCsiy evening, <he 12th inst., one of ln V att,nding.to his cattle, thebU,l M „v discovered a Maori in the lern. clo*to«iewinp,dirfo thttfc Kot knowing JJ ; he entod his pieco/and Tto lire; but she having oa led to him in vn9 about to mo, j iiumedm tely led her Jklnori.toawue, h.UJ . Hor v « wi,l,,S PuS tyof the garrison, and the men Jin 3 eager to'seo her. The appearJ ;i] » nm!d the poor creature bo i,n,;°, li ihe trembled like a loaf in the breeze but innch U,« restored to confidence by. the kindness F | ie was soon i»toica , W ntt| who disevi,,lJtittl tSh i mild rebuke, and quietly Ff 1/ /por captive up and down the fort, talked II" •P °[ vio lenco on her face, and she There fie mniK. pro tectum in our CT IP; ,he ?< in «wtody of the friendly natives, IS* it is believed they do not manifest much friendship toi her. tnrikor j l£o the re bels have t^L HuSi bush at the head of the-Waitara tihii chief .endezvons, and an occas.onal shell Pla Ink to them from our camp every day. liasbe n , received, on Sunday evening Agreeably to ode> i , a( . We T el' c MoX 1 Mlh in-tant. Being joined bt^ on Monday tne and by-il f?"l W Sam, and a. division of the 12th, BnS ,1 d tow. 5s the enemy; the 65th extended 1 (LrmJnff flankinff guards and reserve, ihe tr°°pS- Soli«. the same as that taken Sic 11th September, hut rendered more forfile in the time that has since elapsed Ar we Snroached the Huirangi we could distinctly see the PK hurrying down from the bush m great j; SE. "banning their rifle pits. These were S in long lines along the front edge of the forest, !d according as the natives took up their respective Positions they commenced firing, though the range Ss yet too long. We were stil eager y advancing, id expected to have what soldiers term "a big (W-ffhmiwewere unexpectedly halted within a thousand yards of the enemy. Here Colonel Mould marked out the site for a new position. Gabions were laid, breastworks thrown up, trenches dug, and the outlines of a strong little fort soon appeared, 600 yards in advance of that taken up on the 28th December, 1860. It was nearly 6 a.m, when the Maories commenced firing, and they seemed for a while to be very bold, occasionally walking about on the clear ground in front of their rifle pits as if to defy us. For a while we took no notice of them, but, their daring having increased, we at length levelled our rifles and sent them a few whizzing messengers tliat soon told them the necessity of getting°into their earth holes. Three guns and a rocket 5 tube were now brought into position, and the bush and rifle pits were scoured with shell. One of the eight inch guns from the Kairau fort was also brought to bear, and the Maories. were astonished to find that shell could be thrown over. our heads upon them. The gun and rocket practice was equal to any I have ever seen at Portsmouth or Chatham, at known distances, and was certainly the best seen in New Zealand since_ the war commenced. The natives gave but very little re p|y—they reserved their fire evidently expecting us to advance upon them every moment. But they were mistaken, for this was not the General's plan. About ten of the enemy hoisted the King's flag, as if in defiance. The rocket tube and guns were instantly brought to play on the rebel standard, and shell after shell was seen bursting at the base of the staff, and over the flag so close as to call forth acclamations of praise from every one. The greatest emulation .was evinced among the gunners as to who would have the honor of taking it down ; but they were all spared the trouble for the Maories either to save the flag or something move valuable that might be near it, lowered. it themselves. At the very instant that it was descending a shell from the 8-inch gun burst on the very top of the staff; placing the Maori who was at the halyards in such jeopardy that if he was not killed, he must have been well frightened. The firing was again directed on the rifle pits and other places of cover known to be occupied by the rebels. They replied occasionally, but very few of their bullets reached us, and none of them did us the slightest harm. At noon, Major Nelson, with a few of the 40th, hastened to the bush on our right flank to reconnoitre it. Some shots were exchanged, but the party was speedily recalled. Business went on in this way all day with no other change than relieving the working-parties, that each corps might have a turn of the field and entrenching duties. The fort was completed about 5 p.m.; and we were called iv from the field. A company of the 40th made up to 100 by the 65th was left to occupy the advanced post for the night. It is still garrisoned by the 40th, and a few of the .Royal Artillery, who send the Maories a shell whenever they see a good opportunity. The natives still seem very bold, and, are often seen in groups about their rifle pits! I must now pass over minor occurrences, and tell you of a most distressing event that happened yesterday, the 16th instant. Two men, James Mc itendry, of No. 5 ofthe 65th, and McCauley, ofthe Jngmeers, were cooks for their respective tents, firewood being scarce about the camp, both men !rVo^° lnpauy to £efc some fr0I« an old fence about ZOO yards from the camp. They never thought or danger, for every man in the camp when cook, was in the habit of going to the same place for «ooa ihe natives, however, had a strong ambuscade withm a few yards, waiting an opportunity toattack a more considerable party who were io agmg ior potatoes several hundred yards distant. S^ SaVageswere so sanguine they could not m h? °PP°} ,I™% of attacking two unarmed of a W V fi ™e, d a vo,ley ou fchem from a distance Colonpll f; T hen,o,ne,lt fche was heard instant n T yati sli° U, ted "To arras ™n/' and in an Strani i Und- ed °? U8 > undei' command- of Captain met M pI? ln *H ,ck Puvsuifc of the We and b& y C°T*, h ome—his arm was broken, a 1 L Pp! ? °n had Buffered ™ d'd "ot. delay W" n ,ol,sbut cart' followed the pursuit, who oZ2°? encountered a party of the rebels bnkP ?1 fire 1I Upon " frora a »rab that lined the mounds W ley ' and from behind «>me small and th e ; wrnl 6 Cnn™e"ced a heavy fire on them *e«i yilT«'° on- 4 ob,ged t0 Ay before us,-we the cZ T rsu,t When the retire funded from twin or blrmd'l Ui" we discovei-ed a long a«Wl e ?l Upon, a.I' oad, fchatled f">m the gaily Wfe^ 11!' f e traced ifc as fai'a*the «*kKi nnt,oned. where we found the road Nofc knowi l Jl had been draKged along it. *econcluded J?? ?f °? r men were m]bS ™8 s °<«e Mor tW the P"? we Baw waß of *ci* confi mil . wa* ft'ttck by our bullets. We nea«- the BU oT »I 1" °plmon „avin B found Whalobone in flrg! Weap,°n made ofhard white ban(l f«• Va ?-! lT 0[ akaraka leaf, with a Undw this J 8t • attached to the BlnaH end. Hendry w PreSSl°n we' turned to camp. Jac fv n ats d "J? «M. but poor ! his and io H His bolts were in i Dbvious | la ou be awM fcJ" Uth became insla"«y 1f by the t° t - i° r Tomrade Wl? kiHed and ««!«>& 1 tl,rough tho „1 V ,a second We wei'c again off I dea«>- Our«p!Vnan ? Uny Coßfc ' or avenge his I l^h fen an T^;T fl^ tlesß' We skirmished I °n and tlasUoß higher than our shoulders

till wo came to a tributary stream (if the YVaiongana river, a mile and a-half distant from our camp, where stood a good deal of bush. The right subdivision under Limits. "Urquhart and Pennefatlier, were loft to guard, the right flunk and secure our retreat, whilst the loft sub-division led on by Captain Straiigo crossed the river to reconnoitre the south Ride. It is hard to say how far the Captain would have followed the pursuit hud not the Adju-tant-General rode up to us and ordered an instant retreat. The step was necessary, but under the circumstances wo could not help feeling a reluotance in returning without our lost comrade. We regret AlcKendry very much—he was a good soldier, always ready lor the field, and full of wit and pleasantry. After spending over fifteen years in the service it was a sad fate to be kidnapped by a horde of merciless savages. We hope soon to avenge him, and the remembrance of his fate will leave but little room for mercy in the breasts of his comrades. 0. P.

Kairau Camp, January 18. Shortly after I sent my letter of yesterday for postage, the two companies of the 65th so long expected from Napier, arrived at our camp preparatory to their taking.a part in this day's operations. Tho men were so black with dust that.we could only recognize our acquaintances by the tone of their voices. There was something inexpressibly affecting in the warm enthusiastic greetings of comrades who had hot seen each other for several years, and who how met for the glorious object of fighting successfully in their country's cause against a brave though savage enemy. Half an hour after sunrise,this morning we were joined by the 40th and two companies of the 14th from Waitara. A few moments sufficed for preliminaries, and the whole force was quickly in position ou the field. The 12th, 14th, and 40th formed one grand line of skirmishers, extending from the brow of the Waitara valley right across the broad plain in front of the Huiraugi bush. Flanking parties were thrown out to command the valley on the left, and the long tract of forest land on the right of the plain. The 65th t was this time the reserve and engineering divisions. The skirmishers advanced boldly within five hundred yards of the enemy before a shot was exchanged, and their further advance was checked by that little word "" halt," always hateful to a soldier when his enemy ia near. Colonel Mould selected the position 'for another redoubt, and the engineering party went to work under cover of the skirmishers. The Maories now slowly opened fire from their rifle pits, and in a few miuutea the thunder of our .field pieces was poured upon them with admirable precision, and accuracy of range. The fire of one 9-pounder, one 12-pounder, three 24-pounders, two 8-inch guns, and a 24-pound rocket tube, was opened upon them nearly at the same moment, so that the Maories never before had such a terrible discharge of artillery concentrated on one point against them. The rapidity and constancy with which shell was showered upon them left them no time to devise new stratagems. They several times endeavoured to cause a diversion by sending parties around to discharge random volleys on our.flanks, but we were only amused to see them blazing away their ammunition so harmlessly. Our fire told well upon them, ior the General placed the skirmishers so skilfully that no matter where a Maori popped up his head, the quick eye and ready rifle of our troops had them under cover, whilst the big guns were so quickly directed to every point where Maori smoke could be seen, that it was impossible for them to avail themselves of their common 'plan of getting under their burrows when they see the flash. On one occasion two Maories were seen perched on the branches of a withered tree, from which they were firing. A gun was pointed for it and the1 next* instant the tree and its occupants were levelled to the earth with a thundering crash. The natives did not once dare to assault us on level ground during the whole day: they got sick of that on the 29th of December. The most advanced redoubt was completed early this evening (for work is done rapidly in the field), and two bastions are to be added to it to-morrow. It stands obliquely to the left of the other forts, between five and six hundred yards off the enemy's rifle pits, so that the natives will now have but little chance of showing themselves without being picked off, for the rauge is excellent for our rifles. I hope that in my next I will have the pleasure of telling you that the Huirangi rifle pits are ours, for the enemy will not be long suffered to occupy them, even if their tout costs a charge. Though so close to the Maories, we had but one casualty to-day—a man of the artillery wounded. Dr. Grayling, the correspondent of the " Herald," was struck in the breast by a spent ball. I suppose we will never learn the loss the enemy has sustained, and it is equally hard to conjecture what course they will pursue when beaten off the Huirangi. • O.P.< '