TAURANGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 229, 6 August 1864, Page 8

TAURANGA.

The following despatch appeared in a JVew Zealand Gazette, which was published on the 9th ultimo :— Auckland, 30th June, 18G4. Head Quarters, Sir, —I have the honour to forward for your Excellency's information, a second and more detailed report from Colonel Greer of the recont action at Tauranga. The valour and discipline of the troops, and the ability of their Commander, were conspicuously displayed on this occasion; and the 43 rd and'6B th Light Infantry, on whom the brunt of the engagement fell, behaved in a manner worthy of the high reputation of these distinguished regiments. The conduct of the Colonial Forces also reflects the greatest credit upon them.

The enemy appear to have fought with most determined courage. D. A. CAMEKON,-Licutenant-Gencral. Camp, Te Papa, Tauranga, 27th Juno. 1 fi(MSin, —I have tho honor to state for the informatio 1 ~ of the 1 ieutenant-Gcneral commanding in Xcv Zealand, that 1 have little to add to the report whicl; I sent on the 21st iust, relative to the engagement a! To liangH, beyond bringing lo his nntico Ihose who more particularly d stinguished themselves.^ Atiour 10-i o'clock the troops were so disposed in front, and on both thinks, that retreat without heavy loss seemed impossible for tho Maoris. About 12-f o'clock, having reinforced skirmishers (with two Companies of the (58th), and cautioned the men to reserve their fire, (which they did in'tho mof t steady manner ) tho advance was sounded, and the men moved as if on parade. To the da;h, determination, and steadiness with which tile attack wtis made, the success which followed is due. From the fact that, the attack was made in Light Tnfantrv order, and from the Maoris having waited for the charge, and made a desperate hand to hand resistance, more opportunity was oll'ered of showing individual gallantry than might occui; in much more » extensive operations ; but the attack was so simul-i lancous, and all did their duty so well, it is ; difficult to make selections. .1 beg,, however, to tho following to the favourable notice of the LiuuteuantGeiieral commanding':— .. " v. v Major Svnge, 43rd flight- Infantry, commanding., tho line of skirmishers, aud who had his horse shot • under him in two places when closo to the* riflepits. - ! Major Colville, 43rd" Light Infantry, who r gallantly led the left...of tho line of skirmishers into tho ritlo-pits, boing himself ono of the first in. , ■. Major Shuttloworth, 68th Light Infantry,!, who commanded tho suppoit, consisting of; 68th Light Infantry and Ist "Waikato Militia, and brought thom • up in the most soldierlike manner, and rtishod on the pits at the critical moment. j Captain Trent, Acting Field Offieer/ GBth Light Infantry, who fell severely wounded when' loading two Companies of the (58th into tho loft of-the riflepits, and continued cheering on tho mbn until tho pits woro taken. •; ' Captain Smith, 43rd Light Infantry, -who is!-, re-i. haye-been first into the right of thb ltnojpf; rifle-.pitCand-whose'gallant conduct was so corispi? cuousl, IThaVe forwarded ovidoneo with & view to | his being recommended for the Victoria Cross. - He was wounded J adve?elv in two places. .[ I Captain Casement, GSth Light Infantry, who; 'was severely wounded in two places, in front of his 'Coin-' puny, when leading them into the rifle-pits. . i) . Captain Borners, 43rd Light Infantry, . whM was also severely wounded when leading in front r of his Company,-olose.to-tho rifle-pits. ' - Captain Seymour, Gf-th Light Tnfantrv, who took Captain Trent's place when that officer fell, an(l led into tho left of tho rifle-pits in tho most gallant manner. Lieutenant Stuart, GSth Light Infantry, whoj was one of the first into the left lino of rifle-pits, and had a personal conflict with a Maori armed with ah Enfield rifle and bayonet, and by whom he bayonet-woundod, but succoedcd in cutting ihiin down with his sword. Pta?* Captain The'.*lTswHjiirablo A Harris, 43rd iiight Infantry, who;'.-VWr*eS&Aachi d to the right, in .command of two Cowptoues of the 43rd, to enfilade} tho enemy's position, and afterwards brought Ihe Companies at the critical, moment to assist in the- assault. Captain Moore, who commanded the Ist Waikato Militia, and led his men up to tho rifle-pits,■ and shared in the assault. Lieutenant Acting Adjutant Hammick, 43rd Light Infantry, who performed his duly with great coolness and courage under a heavy fire. Lieutenant Grubb, R.A., whose coolness and excellent practice with the (i-pounder Armstrong under his command when under lire during the action, and subsequently on the retreating Maoris when they had got beyond the reach of infantry, was admirable. Surgeon Major Best, GSth Light Infantry, Principal Medical Oilicer, performed his" .duty assiduously under fire, payirlg tho'greatest attrition anil care to the wounded. 1 can say the same of Assistant-Surgeons Henry, ■lord; Applin, (i.Sth; and O'Connell, Staff: tho former was particularly brought, to my notice by Major Synge, commanding -IMrd Light Infantry. Lieutenant and Adjutant Covey, 68th Light Infantry, Field Adjutant, and Knsigii Palmer, 68tli Light Infantry, acting a-s my Orderly Otliccr, who performed I heir duly coolly and gallantly, affording me valuable assistance—Lieutenant Covey having been sent a message by mo to Major Shuttleworlb, when lie was on the point ol' attacking, went with the supports, and was dragged into a rifle-pit by a Maori, who thrust his spear through his clothes. Fnsign l'almer was struck in the neck by a musket bullet and knocked froin his horso insensible when riiling be.-ide me ; when he recovered and had his wound dressed, he performed his duty during the rest of the da) .

Sergennt-Major Tudor, (iSth Light Infantry, who went in front and distinguished himself in several personal c-onlHc-ta with the enemy in the rifle-pits. Sergeant-Major Daniels, -IJird Light Infantry, and Acting Scrgcant-Major Lilley (70th liegimcnt) of the Ist WaiUato il ilitia, who also distinguished themselves ljy their coolness and courage. No. 2915, Sergeant Murray. (iSth Light Tnfantrwhosc gallantry and prowess were so distingui.-ed, I have thought him worthy of being recommended for the Victoria Cross, and have with that view forwarded evidence. Xo. 2832, Corporal J. Byrne, V.O. GStll Light Infantry, who when the order to charge was given, was the first man of his company into the rifle-pits. A Maori, whom lie translixed with his bayonet, seized his rille with one hand, and holding it linn with the bayonet through liiin, endeavoured to cut him down with his tomahawk—his life was saved by Sergeant Murray. No. 3011, Private Thomas Smith (severely wounded), and No. 518, l'rivate Daniel C'allery, 68th Light Infantry, both distinguished themselves by their gallant conduct in the field, and their prowess in the rille pits. I b g to add that during tho engagement several reports were forwarded to mc, stating that a large body of natives were coming down by the Wairoa to attack the Camp Xc Papa, at low water, the information having been given by friendly natives. Low water on that day was at half-past 3 o'clock. I wa* back ill Camp about half-past 2 o'clock, and Artillery, Mounted Defence I'oree, and reinforcements of Infantry were following me. I however found that every uceesjary arrangement had been made by J.ieut.-C'ol. Harrington, Ist Waikato Militia, who was ill" coniniWiti-oi' tlje Camp during my absence. 1 beg to bring to the notice of the -Lieut.-General Commanding, the readiness with which Captain Phillimore, If.M .S. ' Jisk,' Senior Naval Ollieer. at this Station, and Commander Swaun, IT.M.S. ' Harrier,'responded to my request (which I sei.t immediately on finding the Maoris), that they would land all their available force for the protection of the Camp. I have since ascertained that the report of the natives coining down to attack Te Pupa was true, but that the result of the affair at Te fttoga disarranged their plans. For nearly an hour previous to the assault, I had soon a Maori reinforcement coming down front the woods, yelling and firing their guns, and when the advance was sounded, they were not more than 500 yards from the rifle-pits. I beg further to add that while in command here, I have only endeavoured to carry out the instructions given mo by the Lieut.-Gencral Commanding, and if I h:u e had any success, it is to the foresight of those instructions and to the good discipline and courage of the troops under my command, it is to be attributed. On Wednesday morning last, 22nd inst., T sonUa strong patrol under Major Colville, 43rd Light Infantry, to bury the dead, and till in the rifle-pits. 108 Maoris wore buried in the rifle-pits which they had themselves dug the morning before. The patrol returned the same afternoon without having seen anything further of the hostile natives ; nor have any been since observed in the neighbourhood. In addition to the number buried it the rifle-pits, fifteen of the wounded prisoners have died since they were brought in. I am sending up eight wounded, and eleven un wounded prisoners, by the 'Alexandra,' and nine are detained for further treatment in tho Hospital at this station, making a total of 10l Maoris accounted for. Enclosed arc lists of tho arms captured from tho enemy, and handed over to the Military Store Department, and returns of the killed and wounded of the Forces under my commitnd. I have, &c., 11. H. Greek, Colonel, Cjmmanding Tauranga District.