MASSACRE AT THE WAIROO.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 77, 26 August 1843, Page 306

MASSACRE AT THE WAIROO.

To tbx Editor of the Njelson Examiner.

girt — I have only now had an opportunity of observing a paragraph copied from an Auckland paper into the Nelson Examiner of the 12th August,' which, as one of the survivors of the larojntable fray, I feel to convey a general cenaureon those who escaped, both injurious and unjust. Ill* article in question contains the following sentences, which may be regarded as a fair specimen of its spirit : —

" They [the survivors] have, it is true, effected their escape from the field of conflict — they may escape the penalties of the law— but they will 4 neither escape the bitter pangs of conscience nor the indignant voice cf public opinion. * * * Had they shown but common manliness and courage, it is certain that the most revolting features of the case would have been spared, and many valuable lives. * * * Heedless of the rallying cry of Captain Wakefield— dead to the entreaties of Mr. Thompson for support, they left their lead-

ers and comrades, in the hour of need, to the savage fury of those they had themselves provoked." Though I should scarcely trouble myself to refute these accusations if confined to the distant source -whence they emanated, yet, having observed that the sentiments here conveyed are also entertained by a portion of the inhabitants of Nelson, I think it a duty to place the conduct of my townsmen in a truer and fairer light. • . Here is a general charge of cowardice against all that escaped the fight and massacre. Let us review the actual state of the case. The natives by whom Rauparaha was sur-

rounded amounted to 125. Of these, at the

utmost 30 or 40 were women and children, Weaving go fighting men at a moderate calculation. Certainly, all these did not carry muskets ; but all that did not were armed in the . native manner. Against these were opposed 34 armed men — I should say 34 men bearing muskets, for several muskets were nearly or quite ineffective. Our men were utterly unaccustomed to the use of firearms; untrained — undisciplined — unused to scenes of bloodshed, and, moreover, heartlessly fighting in a heartless cause. The natives were men picked from amongst the most experienced warriors in New Zealand; men nursed in blood, whose business was bloodshed ; trained in the best of all schools — that of

actual warfare, and fighting in a cause which must have aroused their passions and in which they were individually interested. And the -conflict began in the bush ; that is where the New Zealanders fight with every advantage and Europeans with every disadvantage; and in a

strong post of their own choosing. I saw several of our men (cowards, so called), while their comrades were being wounded and killed by their side, loading with the utmost - coolness, and then looking deliberately round for an enemy to fire at, but nothing but bushes was to be seen. It would have been rash and useless to con-

tinue tbe conflict under such circumstances,

and a retreat to the more open ground on the hills was inevitable. But, as the Englishmen were scattered among the bushes and not in one connected party, the retreat took place in different directions; and many, who were not found at the side of their leaders on the hills, were undoubtedly still guiltless of deserting them.

In making the retreat, the men acted under the order of their leaders ; at least that portion who were near me certainly did. If any act of positive desertion" took place, I did not observe it ; and I believe that what has been called desertion was actually nothing more than separation, occasioned by the confusion of the scene, the intricacy of the ground, and other unavoidable circumstances.

But even on the hill the natives fought to great advantage. Their experience enabled them to avail themselves of the shelter afforded by the undulations of the surface, the fern, and particularly a low manuka bush that skirted the brow ; and our party had still, in a great measure, to contend with invisible enemies.

With respect to several that escaped; their justification is more complete. When we were assembled on the hill like so many targets which the natives were shooting at, MrJ^Jotterell stood out from the rest and said (I suppose in allusion to his principles as a Friend), '* I have nothing to do with business of this kind. If there are any of my men here, they had better follow me." Captain Wakefield then turned round and, in the most earnest manner, addressed

him, " For God's sake, Mr. Cotterell, don't attempt to run away ! You are sure to be shot if you do." Shortly after, Captain Wakefield said to those around him (perhaps about 20 or 25 in number), " Your only chance of life is to throw away your arms and lie down." In both respects he was immediately obeyed, and all fighting had therefore ceased. The only question then was as to the safest course to be pursued. Each followed his own judgment. Those who thought with Captain Wakefield, that to attempt to run away was certain death, and that the only chance of safety was in submission, remained and gave themselves into the hands of the natives. Others, acting on a contrary opinion, preferred the risk of leaving the ground. In doing so, they certainly incurred considerable danger, as they then became more prominent objects for the native musketeers; but the event justifies the correctness of their judgment. Why any " bitter pangs of conscience*' should attend the survivors, under such circumstances, it is difficult to imagine. We who then left the ground did so conceiving it to be the safest course; and the unfortunate gentlemen who fell remained for the same reason. As far as those are concerned, therefore, who left the scene of action after the scene above described took place, the accusation of having " deserted their companions in arms," of " running away from the fight," of in whatever other shape it appears, obviously falls to the ground. At this time there were no companions in arms to desert, and no fight to run away from: the arms had been thrown away and the fight had ceased.

The strong abstract improbability of 26 out of 49 Englishmen being cowards should have prevented such an accusation, except after the fullest investigation of facts and conviction of their truth. The survivors do indeed feel, in common with their townsmen, the " bitterest pangs "—" — not of conscience, but of sorrow, for those that fell. With a conscience at rest, the threatened " indignant voice of public opinion " is not worthy of a thought. I am, sir, Your most obedient servant, One that escaped.