DESPATCHES FROM COLONEL DESPARD, TO GOVERNOR FITZROY.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 6, 12 July 1845, Page 2

DESPATCHES FROM COLONEL DESPARD, TO GOVERNOR FITZROY.

Camp before Hekes Pah, 2nd July, 184,5. Sir, — It is with much more regret tliau I can express, that I have to acquaint your Lxcellency that an attempt was yesterday made by the tioops under my command, in the afternoon, to carry the foi titied position or pah of Heke, without sueee&s — and we were repulsed with heav) loss. The particulars shall be (orwarded to 3011 with as littfe delay as possible. 1 enclose heiewith a list of wounded. Many of the latter, lam &0117 to say, aie severe and dangeioiis. It is impossible to say too much in praise of the bravery and good conduct of both officers and ; men. — I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most obt. humble servt., H. Despard', Colonel Commanding the Troops. To His Excellency Governor Fitz Roy, #c. &c. &c. Auckland.

Return of Killed and Wounded of the Force under command of Colonel Despard, 99th Regt., fronvthe 30th of June, to Ist Jul>, 1845 Her Majesty's Ship 'Hazard Lieutenant Phillpotts, killed. 1 Seaman killed. 2 Seamen wounded. 1 Piivate of the Royal Marines, killed. Her Majesty^ 's 58th Regiment. Captain Grant, killed. 3 Sergeants and 1 1 Rank and File killed. 2 Setgeants and 33 Rank and File wounded. 2 Privates since dead. Her Majesty's 96th Regiment. 3 Rank and File killed. ' 3 Rank and File wounded. Her Majesty's 99th Regiment. 1 Sergeant and 14 Rank and File killed. Bt. Major Macpherson severely wounded. Lieutenant Beatly ditto Lieutenant Johnson slightly wounded, Ensign O'Reilly severely wounded. 1 Sergeant and 21 Rankaiid File wounded. 2 Privates since dead. Volunteers— ( Pioneers.) 4 Rank and File, wounded.

Mr. Henry Clarke, Interpreter to the Force, severely Mounded.

Camp before Hekes Pah, July 2, 1845. Sib, — Annexed is a detailed account of the action that took place between the troops under my command, and the rebels, in the early part of the forenoon of yeste'iday, as also of our assault on the pah, and our repulse which took place in the afternoon afterwards. Finding the ,guns which I had brought with me from Auckland quite inefficient for bleaching, from their very defective carriages, as they frequently upset from their own firing, I requested Captain Johnson, of H M.S. Hazard, to send me one of his heavy guns," which was accordingly brought up to camp, a distance of 15 miles land carnage, over most execrable roads, with ?re<tt labor and difficulty, on the 30th ; and during that day, a platform was erected on the side of a hill on the right of our position, the top of which hill was occupied by our ally, Waka Nene and his tribe. A sergeant's guard of the 58th Regt., was also there, to protect a six-pounder that had been placed there, with a view of raking the enemy's position. The Hazard** gun opened its fire about 10 o'clock, a.m., and whMe the attention of every body was occupied in observing its> effects, a sudden attack was made on this position from a very thick wood close in its rear, and Wakas people weredriven from it. I was m the battery haKway down the hill when this attack was made, when 1 instantly ordered up a party of the 58th Re^t., under Major Bridge, who gallantly charged up the bill so as to turn the enemy's left flank, and regained the poskion with the loss of only one man. This attack shewed me the necessity of coming to an immediate deci&ion, and I accordingly determined on attacking the pah, by assault, in the afternoon, as soon as the few shot brought up from the 'Hazard,' (26 in number), were expended; which I expected would so loosen the storkades, as to enable the men attacking them to cut and pull tht'm down. In pur-t suance ot this resolution, a storming party was ordered to parade at three o'clock P M., for this purpose, and I issued instructions for its guidance, as detailed in the accompanying: u emorandum. The parties lor the attack were enabled to, advance to within 60 to 100 yards of the point of attack, and there remain unperceived by the enemy, in a ravine under cover. When the advance was sounded, they rushed lornard in the most gallant and daring manner, and every endeavour was made to pull the stockade down. They partially succeeded in opening the -uter one, but the inward one resisted ail their efforts, and being lined with men firing through loop-holes on a level with the ground, and from others half way up, our men were falling so fast, that notwithstanding the most daring acts of bravery, and the greatest perseberance,they were obliged to retire. This could not .\e effected without additional loss in the endeavour to bring off the wounded men, in which they were generally .successful. The retreat was covered by the party under Lieut. Colonel Hulme, of the96'ih Uegt., and too much praise cannot be given to that Officer, for the coolness and steadiness with which he conducted it under a very heavy firet I must here remark, -that the hatchets and axes, as well as the ropes for -pulling down 1 the stockade, and the ladders, were all thrown away or left behind, by those appointed to carry them; and to this-cir-cumstance 1 attribute the main cause of the failure. I trust that it will not be thought that the character of the British has been tarnished on this occasion. One third of the men actually engaged fell in the attack, and during the eight days that wte have been e.igaged carrying on operations against Uiis place, one fourth of the whole strength of British soldiery under my command, (originally not exceeding 490), have been either killed or wounded. From Lieutenant Colonel Hulme I have received every assistance during, the whole time of these operations, independent of his gallant conduct in covering the retreat. Major Macpherson of the 99th Regt., who led the principal attack, and was severely wounded, also deserves every praise for the daring manner in which he led his men to the assault, and though slightly struck on the left breast at the coirr-j memiement, he gallantly persevered till struck down by a serious wound. Equal praise is also due to Major Bridge of the 58th Regt., for the coolness -and steadiness with which he led his men to the attack, and his perseverance till called off. Where every individual has behaved equally well, it seems invidious to particularize names, — but I cannot avoid mentioning the unwearied toil, zeal and energy displa>ed by L-eut. Wilmott of the Rojal Artillery, in conducting that department with the most inefficient means. Captain Marlow, Royal Engineers, and his department, gave me eveiy assistance in their power while labouring under the same inefficiency of means as the Artillery. I must not omit either to mention the able assistance and the active zeal that has been displayed by Lieutenant and Adjutant Deering, of the 99th Regt , (acting as Major of Brigade), whether under fire of the enemy, or in conducting the necessary details The three Officers with Major Macpherson's party, were all either killed or wounde.l, Captain Graut, Lieut. Beatty, (who volunteered the foilora hope), and Ensign O'Reilly. The Voluuteeisirom i he New Zealand Militia, acting as pioneers, under Lieut. Figg, deserve to be mentioned, and that Officer himself has undergone unceasing toil of the most harrassing nature with zeal aud energy. Lieut. Wood, and the Militia Volunteers for the Artillery, deserve to be included in thi* commendation.

-Captain Johnson of H.M.S. € Hazard,' has giv'eti me the most unwearied assistance in every possible way, from the ■•commencement of our operations, by sending up supplies of -all sorts, even from his own ship, when our public stores were deficient. The Seamen and Marines of f H.M. Navy have alwa>s borne the same character for bravery and intrepidity wherever they have been employed, and the few, 18 in number, *hat joined this expedition from H.M:S. * Hazard,' have nobly supported the same character. Lieutenant Phillpotts, R.N., fell when endeavouring, to force his way through the stockade. I enclose hsrewith a correct list ol killed a»d wounded. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant, H. DESPARD. Lieut. Colonel 99th Rest., and Colonel on the Staff in N. Z. To His Excellency, Robert Fitzroy, Governor, «&c. &c. Auckland. P.S. The wounded are doing well under the able care and constant attention bestowed.on them by Dr. Pine of the 58 th, and Dr. Galbraith, of the 99th Regiments; , • ' H. D.

Camp. Jst July, ,1845. . The following are the directions, and the distiihuiion of the troops, for the attack on tlui pah, at 3 o'clock, this evening. The principal attack will be made on or near the right angle on the front face, (that face being considered the front one 1 that is opposite the camp), and the whole column for this attack will be formed as follows : 2 sergeants and 20 volunteers from the three corps will foim the advance, and .proceed with the most perfect silence till they reach the stockade. This party will be followed closely by the assaulting body, under Major Macpherson, composed of 40 grenadiers trom the 58tli and 40 grenadiers from the 99th Regiments, arid will be accompanied by a small party of seamen, and by 30 pioneers from the volunteer Militia. The seamen, and as many pioneers as there are sufficient tools for, will' be supplied with axes or hatchets for the purpose of cutting down the stockade. Those pioneers that cannot tie' sup-, plied with axes or hatchets are to carry the laddeis as well as strong »opes, w Inch will be supplied by the Artillery department, for pulling down the stockade. Major Macphei son's party will be closely followed by Major Bridge, of the 58th Regiment, having under him the remainder of the grenadiers of the'oSth,, to be made lip to 60 rank and file from the battalion of the same Regiment, and 40 rank and file from the Light Company of the 99th Regiment.— ln all amounting to 100 rank and tile. A strong supporting party will be formed under Lieut-Colonel Hulme, 96th Regiment, consisting of the whole of the detachment oithe9(Hh Regiment, completed to 100 rank and tile by the battalion men of the sSth Regiment. The moment an entrance is made into the pah, this party will instantly follow* the preceding parties The remainder of the force will be under thepeisonal command ofColonel Despard, for the purpose of direting assistance wherever necessary, with the exception of 40 rank and, fil£ of the 58th Regiment, under command of Capt. Thompson, of that corps, who will occupy the hill overlooking the pah, and the camp ; it being considered necessaiy to do so, from the attempt made by the natives in the morning to get possession of it. By order, < R. B. Deerinc, Lieut. 99th Regiment,Acting Btigade Major.

The names of the non-commissioned officer* ■and privates, killed and wounded, as yet known, are a,s follows : Her Majesty's 58th Regiment.

KILLED. Sergeant — Halliday " Morrow " Andrew Wilson Corporal — William Stewart Privates — Davis Claxton Punchett Goodrum Fisher Norton Reynolds Payne f Sntton '^ Doherty]|' , Leech "--"' Molloy Anderson Thirty five bounded. Two Sergeants and 3<> rank and file. nSines not yet reported. Her Majesty's 99th Regiment.

, KILLED. , GrenadiersSrgt. — Thomas Todd Privates — Martin Moiau John Hill William Watson William Pope - ■ ;'- ' John Macgrath Lt. Company — George IWabar John Noble James, Hughes - John Eaton Patrick Hicken Henry Moselv James Stocks Benjamin Heath

WOUNDED. Grenadiers — James Crane ; Hugh Powse Jacob Edmunds Michael Farren Robert Hughes Henr) Spencer "William Swan Hector M'Cotmick Lt.Cmpy.Srgt.— Maley Thomas "• Bi ad ley Martin Pi ivate— William Bridges Thomas Craw ley David Mark Thomas Cbmiers Andrew Duncan Patrick Flym Duncan Murray