DESPATCHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 297, 25 October 1864, Page 6

DESPATCHES

Ikk following .Despatches wciv published in Salurthiys Scir Zritluml Cazrlte Colonial IVfenre ()|'i<-c, , . Auckland, 17th October, SO-I-. The following despatcir, with its enclosures, from Ideutcimnt,-General Sir liunean A. Cameron, K.C.15., is published I'or general mfornnil ion. T. RrssuLi, 3had Quarters, Auckland, l.'sth October, IN'H. Sti'-i f have (lie honor to forward lor vour Kxe -llency's inlurmation, tin; copy of si despatch 1 have received from Colonel Wane, C.H., commanding the troops at JS'ow Plymouth, announcing Iho expidsion of the rebels from their positions at -Mataituiva. ami lc Arei, on tlie Sth and lodi instant. It iippeju-s that, these positions, represented bv < olonel Uarre as extremely formidahie, both fro,,', their natural strength and tl,e skill with which thev ad '"'en lortitied, had been nearlv abandoned b'v the rebels a few days before; and 'yonr Kxcellency will be glad to learn that, owing to the slight, resistance made by the lew which remained in ihem, as v.ell us to the carehd and able arrangements made jj Colonel W arre, they were taken hv our troops w it bout any loss. Jbe conduct ol the bushrangers, and of nil the 'irT* Wlla eve O' tiling that could be de--1 heg to draw to your Excellency's particular notice the favourable mention, in Colonel H'uire's despatch. ol the valuable services rendered on this as Oil Other occasions by Air. I'arris of the Native Department. I have, Ac 1 ., I"). A. C.mt HON-, , 7 . ~ lit.-Cieneral. His E.-ceellcncy Sir George Grev, K.C.li., Ac., ' &c Kcw Plymouth, e , , . 12l!l October, 180-1. ■ In, j\fr. 1 arris having informed me, soon after noon oil the (Sth instant, that a PukeUpu native living witli the rebels at Matailawa, hail come to JJtm and hud informed the friendly natives at, that place that Wm. Iving's natives had left Alataitawn, which was nearly destitute ol lood, and bad gone across the Wuitura to Ouairo, where übout GO of unlives had recently arrived ; and as Die Puketnpu

mtive stated that lie liad been sent by Tamihutia and he lending rren to ascertain whether they would be illowcd to remain at Mataitawa if they gave them;clv<\« up. which they appeared anxious to do, I reliiesfcd 3lf. I'nrris 'to see the native, and ascernin. if possible, the truth of his statement.; determiug under any circumstances, to get, possession of the niportant position at Mataitawa while it was weakly lofended.

Accordingly T directed the force shewn in the accompanying field state to assemble ntMnhoetnhi at an curly hour on the morning of the Bth. Although the heavy rail) rendered the rivers nearly impassable, and delayed the march of the troops for several hours, T went on with Mr. Pnrris; and, as the native persisted in his statement, I sent him back lo Mamitnhi and ilesiro Tamihaiiii and others to come flown and speak with us if they really were sincere in their desire for peace. Having heen joined by a good number of friendly natives from Una and Waiongonn, I sent them on, partly to guard against treachery; and as they are all relatives of the rchels, to explain to them that I had no wish to injure them, provided they would surrendei, and await the Governor's instructions as to their disposal. The friendly natives (most of them unarmed) went boldly up to Manutahi, hut thoy were not allowed to approach, a volley being fired over their heads to warn them not to coma too near. The troops, under Major Byan, VOt.h regiment, and the bushrangers, under Major Atkinson, Taranaki Militia, having by this lime arrived at Sentry llill, I determined to force the passage ; and, at any rate, cut down W m. King's Flag-stall', and destroy Mataitawa, if T could not occupy that position, which being surrounded by bush, is extremely didicult to approach. Kxtending the buslirangers]">n skirmishing order, and directing them to dose upon their flanks as they approached Manutahi, so as under cover of the thick bush 011 either side to get round the flunks of the stockade, which I believed only rested on (he bush, I ordered the advance. This movement was admirably carried out by Major 11. Atkinson and the otlicers and men of the bushrangers, under a desultory, but not very heavy fire from the stockade, while the companies of the 70th regiment, under Major Hyan, with the two guns, under Captain Mariin, K.A., were kept within easy distance to support, should the garrison prove stronger than T imagined. In a very short time the bushrangers succeeded in turning both flanks, upon which the garrison ran away, fraying two of their number wounded foneofwhom died within a. very short time, and the other severely wounded, was carried into town, his wounds attended hv the medical officer, but. he succumbed to amputation of the leg, and died the following day. and several others were said to be hit, but escaped into the hush, towards Mntaitawa. Leaving Major Atkinson to destroy tho very formidable works at Manutahi, which, if properly defended would have cost us a heavy loss, many of tho covered ways being caseniated, and the parapet in rear of the stockade being eight or ten feet thick. I pushed on three companies of the 70th regiment, under Major SaHmarshe by a cart track leading through the bush to Mataitawa, fortunately the troops were unopposed; every yard'of this road might lia ve heen suecessl'ully disputed, and the passage of a small liver with deep bank- and two gullies over which the road turns to Mataitawa, which is situated on tho top of a steep and perfectly open hill, if held by a very few determined men might have cost us severe loss. Tho troops in admirable order pushed stiadilv forward, until the crest of the hill wss gained, and the villages were in our possession, not a shot being fired, in return for a few fired at long range bv tho enemy.

Having cut down the Shift' (which in itself is a valuable ti-ophv), and destroyed everything; at tliroc different villages, 1 withdrew finding as T have before stated, that it would lie useless to attempt to oecupv Mataitawa, on account of the difficulties of its approach until the surrounding hush had been cleared. Major Atkinson had, in tho meantime, effectually destroyed Manutiihi and burnt the stockading: and whares, and the troops returned to their several stations. On Monday, the 10th, I again assembled the Royal Artillery with two puns and :{t>o of the7oth regiment at Mahoetahi intending to take and occupy Te Arei, whieh J considered might he successfully turned by a Hank inarch over some high ground to our right, by 11 line of road or native (rack, which leads directly into the rear of that position, the importance of which was rendered notorious !>_v tho operations conducted auainst: it during the former campaign, under Miijor-Genevtil ir Thomas l'ratt. Accordingly, at daylight on the lltli instant, assisted by (lie sap whieh lends directly to the front, the companies of the 70th under Major Uutherford 70th regiment,and 100 men under Major Saltmarshe, 70th reuimeut, with an advanced guard of about 50 friendly natives from Wait lira, advanced steadily on the position ; a heavy curtain of white fog trom the Waitara river prevented the rebel natives from discovering' our approach, until within a few hundred yards of (he pah. and then by their rapid firing it was evident that they were more anxious to call to their assi 'timce their friends at a. distance, than to oppose our progress. Tin' Waitara was unfordable, so that no assistance from (hose on the north shore could he rendered, and (he actual garrison was too small to make any resistance ; (he friendly natives and the troops advanced simultaneously from both sides, and without firing a shot, gained (he position which was evidently incomplete : hut. the defences were much stronger than formerly. Having; already described the nature of these di fences in a former lettei, it is not necessary for me now to repeat, except that a novelty in Maori fortifi cations consisting of a slrong parapet built of earth and fern, similar to these >ve construct, but about 10 feet thick, covered a lino of rille-pit.s, or covered wav, about -IS yards in front of tho line of the stockade, so that had the j;uns hi.•en used the Maori defenders being: in front instead of in real- of the stockade, would have been entirely under cover ; the shot and shell which would naturally have been thrown into the slockade, would have been quite ineffectual, and the garrison would have been aide to have received any attacking column after the palisades had appalcutlv been breached.

Wending forward the friendly natives, supported by ;t small par v of the 70tli, under Captain Packhousc, 70th KYgi . and some of tin; mounted men (on loot) Io Coi-(;i:n (ho nature of the ground in the rear. Lieut. l''cruuson, U.K., at once e< .nmenced the construction of 11 redoubton this very beautiful anil commanding pavilion. Lieut. C. JT. Clarke. IXA.Q.M.General, who accompanied the friendly Maoris and troops, informs me that the road was defended here and there bv ent 1 enchments, but that otherwise the countrv, after passing through about a mile of not very thick hush, becomes quite open, they followed the path, which apparently had not been much used lately, for about three mile.-, destroying two or thr'e small villatres, from which the rebels retreated after ineffectually f ring a few shots. Although these operations h>ive fortunately been e.irii '1 out with hardly the expenditure ol" a round of ammunition, it is but just to give the otlicers and men full credit for their exceHen't conduct, which convinces me that all opposition would have been vain, had tin.- enemy been in tuilicient force to have oil--red resistance. To Majors G-. A. Ryan, A. ,T. O. Rutherford, and Hrcvct-Majo! A. Naltmarshe, of the 70th iiegiment, to Captain VT.Martin, Koyal Artillery; to Major It. Atkinson, 'laiauaki Militia; and Captain F. Mace, of the Mounted Corps, I am much indebted for the manner in which they cairied outmv instructions ; as also to the ollicers, non-commissioned otlicers, and men of the several corps of both regular ami militia services, for their untiring zeal which enabled tin m to bear the fatigue of very long marches (on the Bth instant, at. bast, 24 miles" in the IL' hours), over roads rendered very impracticable bv heavy rain which had fallen during the previous week. l''or'unato'y the services of the medical ollicers were not necessary; but under J)r. Wodsworth, of Ihe "nth Heg'ment, they were ready, as on rill occasions, to attei d to their dutifs when required, as also was Hep. As.s. Coin.-Gen. J. It. C. U. Graham, of (lie Commissariat. Lieut. C. M. Clarke, D.A.Q.M\Gr., and Lieut. Jt, Pruttou, Garreo i Adjutant, both of the 57th regt.. showed their accustomed zeal in carrying out my orders, and to til' former lam indebted for the effect nal carrying out of all the necessary arrangements. On this, as on a former occasion at Kaitake. Lieut. C. M. Clarke volunteered and guided the company of the 70th under Cupt. AV. 11. Knlston, (who "wits ignorant of Hie localities) by the Hank overhanging the river, where, had 'J'e Arei been defended, tho troops would lmve appronched within a few yards, and turned that Hank witli comparative ease.

I would ■wish to bring to tlie Lieut.-General's s notice tlie untiring energy of Mr. I'arria, Assistant a Native Secretary, who at all. times has given me his 0 valuable assistance in all the operations I have under- a taken in this country, and to whom I consider my- J self mainly indebted for the success of the last two , days. His knowledge of the native character, his practical experience in all matters connected with b native customs, and the great respect with which e s is treated by the friendly natives of all ages and c sexes, enables him to obtain reliable information, on A which I feel I cau act without hesitation ; and I trust * the Lieut.-General will do me the favour to bring Mr. I'arris' name prominently to the notice of his 1 Exccllencv the Governor. ! I have also to return my thanks to Liout.-Colonel i Lepper, (late 14tli Regt.) who only arrived here on ] ilio 3rd instant, to take the command of the Militia , and Volunteers in this Province, and '■vho volunteered . his services, and accompanied me throughout, render- J ins? me considerable assistance. , I also desire to mark my sense of the services rendered on these occasions by the friendly natives, who Hocked from all sides to oiler their services, anil who to the number of nearly 100, under their several chiefs, were most useful in guiding the troops and assisting in the destruction of tlio rebel positions. I beg to transmit a return of wounded, who, I am happy to say, are progressing favourably. I have, &c., 11. J. "Wahkk, Colonel, Commanding Troops in. Taranaki. The Deputy Quartermaster-General, Head Quarters, Auckland, PROVINCE OF TARANAKI. Numerical return of a Force employed against the Rebel Natives at To Arei Pah, on the Bth of October, 1801, under command of Colonel H. J. Warn;, C.B. Stall'—Lieut. C. M. Clarke, D.A.Q.M. General. Medical Stall'—l staff ollicer. Commissariat Transport Corps —1 subaltern, 1 rank and file. Royal Artillery—l subaltern, 1 sergeant, 15 rank and file. Captain W. J. Martin, commanding. Royal Engineers—G rank and file. Lieut. C. Ferguson, commanding. 70th Regiment—(from town), 2 captains, 7 subalterns, 2 stall' ollieers, 12 sergeants, 4 drummers, 200 rank ami file. Major A. O. Rutherford, commanding. 70th Regiment—(from Malioetalii), 1 subalterns, 8 serge nits, 4 drummers, 134 rank and llle. Brevet Alajor A fSaltmarslie, commending. Total Regulars—l field officer, 4 captains, 15 subalterns, ;i stall" officers, 21 sergeants, 8 drummers, 3(58 rank and file. Taranaki Cavalry Volunteers—l sergeant, 1 drummer, 18 rank and llle. Captain F. Mace", commandTotals—l field officer, 5 captains, 18 subalterns, 3 stall' officers, 22 sergeants, 'J drummers, 386 rank and file. 11. J. "Wakiib, Colonel, Commanding Troops, Taranaki. PROVINCE OF TARANAKI. Numerical Ueturti of a Force employed against the Rebel Natives at Manutahi ajid Mataitawa, on the Bth October, 186-1, under the command of Colonel 11. J. Wane, C.B. Stall' —Lieut. C. M. Clarke, D.A.Q.M. General; Lieut. E. Brutton, Garir.son Adjutant. Commissariat Transport Corps—6 rank and fil ! Royal Artillery—l subaltern, 1 sergeant, 1G rank ] and file. Captain "\V. J. Martin, commanding. Royal Engineers—s rank and file. Liout. C. Ferguson, commanding. 70th Regiment (from town) —3 captains, 9 subalterns, 3 staff, 13 sergeants, 4 drummers, 200 rank and file. Major G. A. Ryan, commanding. 70th Regiment (from Mahoetahi) —3 subalterns, 7 sergeants, 5 drummers, 138 rank and file. Major A. Saltmarshe, commanding. Total Regulars—l field officer, 5 captains, JG subalterns, 3 staff ollieers, 21 sergeants, 9 drummers, :His rank and file. Taranaki Rifle Volunteers —2 captains, 2 subalterns, 1 stall' officer, S sergeants, 2 drummers, 107 lank and file. Major 11. A. Atkinson, commanding. Taranaki Cavalry Volunteers—2 subalterns, 2 sergeants, 1 drummer, 33 rank and file. Cnptain F. Mace, commanding-. Total Military—l field officer, 3 captains, 4 subalterns, 1 staff ollicer, 10 sergeants, 3 drummers, 140 rank and file. General Total—2 field officers, 8 captains, 20 subalterns, -1 stall officers, 31 sergeants, 12 drummers, f>os rank and file. 11. J. "W.Uiin;, Colonel, Commanding Troops, Taranaki. Nominal Return of Killed and Wounded of the Troops at Manutahi and Mataitawa, Bth October [ 181)4. Taranaki Rille Volunteers—Private 0 . Scammell, i gun shot wound of back and arm, slight; Private H. Tinner, gun shot wound, left hip, slight. Di niKY AVodswouth, Surgeon 70th Regiment, ' Senior Medical Officer. | 11. J'. Wauke, Colonel, 1 Commanding Troops in Taranaki.