CAPTAINS MERCER AND PHELPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 8, 30 November 1863, Page 4

CAPTAINS MERCER AND PHELPS.

O.N' Friday the wail of funeral music again resounded through cur streets; and the ashes of what, but a few days sine-?, were brave and accomplished gentlemen were consigned to that dust to which we lr.nst all, ere long, return. At -t o'clock, the hour appointed for the funeral of Captains Mercer and Phelps, Auckland sent forth her thousands in the 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 a 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 creating a frightful and incurable wound. Captain Mercer, shot through the jaw and tongue, waß still more fearfully mutilated, and his sufferings, ere death came to his relief, were, we have been told, intense.

Having but ou Wednesday last given a minute description of the funerals of Lieut. Murphy and Midshipman Watkins, we nood do little more ihe.n chronicle the order of the last sad ceremonies of yesterday. Shortly after 1 o'clock, all being in readiness, the procession moved out of the Albert Barracks in the following order Firing party of one hundred men From the Auckland Garrison and Otahuliu Camp, Composed principally of 50th and Goth regts., Tn command of Capt. Saunders, 2nd batt. 1-lth regt. And Lieut. Harrington, 14th regt. Bands of 12th and 50tli regts. Band of 11.M.5. ' Curagoa.' ' THE COFFIN, Covered with black velvet,and bearing this inscription. Captain John Shaw Fheits, 2nd Batt. 1 Itli Regt., Dii'd 25th November, lSG.'i, (of wounds received in action), Aged 33 years. Was placed on a gun carriage, covcrcd with the Union Jack, And drawn bv sis Artillery Horses and Train driven. The Pall Bearers were Major Paul, Goth regt., Major Turner, 65th regt., Capt. Vcrriker, 12tli regt., Capt. Groves, 43rd regt., Capt. Whitbread, 65th regt., Capt. Minister, 50th. Stall" Assistant Surgeon Carberry, late 2nd batt. 14th. Capt. Minnett, 14th regt. Chief Mourners, Surgeon Major.Carte, 2nd batt., 11th regt. Mr. 11. de Burgh Adams, Military Purveyor to the Forces. In this order the cortege moved oxit 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 Symonds and Wakefield-stroets, near which was the late residence of Captain Mercer, the procession opened to receive the body of that lamented officer. THE COFFIN, Being also placed on a gun carriage, covered with the Union Jack, and bearing this inscription: CAITAIN IIENItY MERCCR, C Battery ltli'Brigade Royal Artillery, Died 25th November, 18«), (of wounds received in action). Aged 38 years. Lieut. Rait, Boyal Artillery, accompanicd by three or Captain Mereer'B children licrc joined the chief mourner's. The servants of the deceased officers. Capt. Mercer's led charger, with black velvet pall, hoots and spurs reversed. Officers and soldiers of the Garrison, of the Line, Dcfcncc Corps, and Militia, t Captain Hamilton, Officers and seamen H.M.S. 'Esk.' Civilians. Members of the General Assembly. Members of the Executive. Major-General Galloway and Stafl'. His Excellency the Governor antl unite, Tho Rev. Mr. Kinder performed tho funeral service. There were two graves, tlitit of Captain Mercer being next, to that of Lieut. Murphy; that of Captain Phelps to the nortriward, 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 tho Wnikato strife that we shall be rcquiral to chronicle. We have only to add that Fort and shipping wore their flags at half-mast, and that every testimony of unfeigned and son-owing respect was manifested;

The Committee of the Auckland Auxiliary Biblo hociety, of vhteh Uie late Captain Mercer was a member, met a X p.m. and joined the procession at the mineral. Iho following resolution was entered ou the books of the Bociety, and a copy forwarded by tho Hon. Sec. to Mrs. Merecr:—

" Referring to the late Captain Mercer, 11. A., who recened hie death-wound duviug the lak* conflict between Her Majesty's troops and the Waikato rebels at Kangami, tlie Committee of the Auoklund Auxiliary Biblo Society feci a mournful pleasure in recording their esteem for tlio memory of that gallant ouicer, and their appreciation of tho zealous services ho has rendered to the society as an active and diligent member of tlio committee. The committee also express the deep sympathy thoy feel with Mrs. , Mercer m her bereavement, and earnestly prav that the promises and consolations of that I3ook in the spread of which her lato beloved husband took bo I great an interest may bo her succour in thia the hour of her trial"