CAPTAINS MERCER AND PHELPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 7, 28 November 1863, Page 4

CAPTAINS MERCER AND PHELPS.

Yesterday the wail of funeral music again resounded through our streets 1 and the ashes of v> ]]a i, hut a few days since, were brave and accomplished gentlemen we re consigned to that dust to which we must all, ere long. return. At 4. o'clock, the hour appointed for tho funeral of Captains Mercer and Phelps, Auckland sent forth her thousands in tlie direction of the Albert Barracks, in one of the Artillery Huts of which were deposited the mutilated remains of the latter officer. Prior to his decease, it was supposed that Captain Phelps had perished in consequence of receiving u. bullet which lodged in the abdomen. This supposition did not prove to be correct, for on subsequent examination of the corpse, it was ascertained that the bullet had passed clean through the body making its exit near the spine, in a slanting direction upwards, and creat- • ing a frightful and incurable wound. Captain Mercer, shot through the jaw and tongue, was still more fearfully mutilated, and his sufferings, ere death came to his relief, were, we have been told, intense. Having bid. on Wednesday last given a minute description of the funerals of Lieut. Murphy and Midshipman Watkins, we need do little more than chronicle the order of the last sad ceremonies of yesterday. Shortly after 4 o'clock, all being in readiness, tho procession moved out of the Albert Barracks in the following order: — Firing party of one hundred men From the Auckland Garrison and Otahulm Camp, Composed principally of 50th and Goth regts., In command of Capt. Saunders, 2nd batt. 14th regt. And Lieut. Harrington, 14th regt. Bands of 12th and 50th regts. Band of H.M.S. ' Curaeoa.' THE COFFIN, Covered with black velvet, and bearing this inscription, C.UTAIN John Shaw PII ELI'S, 2nd Butt. Ittli RestDied 25th November, 1863, (of wounds received in action), Aged 33 yeurs, Was placed on a gun carriage, covered with the Union .Tack, And drawn by six Artillery Horses and Train drivers. The Pall Bearers were Major Paid, 05th regt,, Major Turner, Gotli regt,, Capt. Verrikcr, 12th regt,, Capt. Groves, 43rd regt., Capt. Whitbreud, 65th regt., Capt. Minister, 50th, Staff Assistant Surgeon Carborrv, late 2nd batt. 11th. Capt. Minnett, l-itli regt. Chief Mourners, Surgeon Major C'arlc, 2nd batt,, 14th regt. Mr. 11. de Burgh Adams, Alilitarv Purveyor to the Forces. Iu this order the cortege moved out of the Albert Barrack Square, the Band of the 14th playing a beautiful composition of Beethoven's, called tho " Farewell March." Arrived at the junction of Svmonds and Wakcfield-streets, near which was the late residence of Captain Mercer, the procession opened to receive the body of that lamented oflieer. TIIE COFFI?. - , Being also placed on a gun carriage, covered with j the Union Jack, and bearing this inscription: j Captain llknuy Merckr. C Battcrv -lt!i Brigade Royal Artillery, Died 25tli November, 13(i3, (of wounds rcecived in action), Aged as years. Lieut. Bait, Royal Artillery, accompanied by three of Captain Mercer's children here joined the chief mourner's. The servants of the deceased officers. Capt 'Mercer's led charger, with black velvet pall, boots and spurs reversed. Officers and soldiers of the Oarrison, of the Line, Defence Corps, and .Militia. Captain Hamilton, Officers and seamen IT.M.S. 'Esk.' Civilians. Members of the General Assembly. Members of the Executive. Major-General Galloway and Staff. His Excellency the Governor and suite. Tho Bev. Mr. Kinder performed the funeral service. There were two graves, that of Captain Mercer being next to that of Lieut. Murphy ; that of Captain Phelps to the nortnward, and outside of the six which now are clustered round that of Commodore Burnett. We heartily hope that this may be the last sad solmnity of the Waikato strife that we shall be required to chronicle. Wc have only to add that Fort and shipping wore their (lags at half-mast, and that every testimony of unfeigned and sorrowing respect was, manifested. The Committee of the Auckland Auxiliary Bible Society, of which the late Captain Mcrcer was a member, met a 3 p.m. and joined the procession at the funeral. The following resolution was entered on the books of the society, and a copy forwarded by the Hon. Sec. to Mrs. Mercer:— " Referring to the late Captain Mcrcer, It. A., who received his death-wound during the lato conllict between Her Majesty's troops and the Waikato rebels at Kangariri, the Committee of the Auckland Auxiliary Bible Society feel a mournful pleasure in recording their esteem for the memory of that gallant officer, and their appreciation of tho zealous services he has rendered to the sooiety as an active and diligent member of tho committee. The committee also express the deep sympathy they feel with Mrs. Mcrcer in her bereavement, and earnestly pray that the promises and consolations of that Book in the spread of which her late beloved husband took so great an interest may be her succour in this the hour of her trial."