REMINISCENCES OF THE NORTHERN WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11056, 6 May 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

REMINISCENCES OF THE NORTHERN WAR.

No n. [»Y ROIIERT ATT A WAY, COLOUR AND TAY SERGEANT, H.M. 58TII REGIMENT.] After the defeat of the Maori rebels al Okaihau, they retired to Olmewai, and the various warships returned to the Bay of Islands, to await further instructions "from the General commanding at Sydney. OHAEWAI PA. At Ohaewai the rebels built the strongest pa ever seen in New Zealand. It was the most perfect of the many pas constructed for defence against musketry or ordinary field guns. A model of this pa was sent Home by the late Col. Balneavis to the British Museum. This pa was built on the margin, or contiguous to a large forest, where the supply of timber was' ample, and easy to remove, collect, and erect. It was of ample dimensions for all the purposes required by its occupiers. The rough timber used for its construction was of unusual dimensions, placed firmly in the ground, reaching a height of about eight or ten feet from the ground, The whole was fenced around, and consisted of a double line of palisades, about two yards apart, with angles in which a few old ship's guns were mounted. The latter were supposed to have been obtained from a French frigate or the ship Boyd, captured at Wangaroa. The loopholes for the musketry fire were from the ground level, and were effected by taking a scarf out of the two connecting palisades, forming the letter "A" on both lines. In the interior of the row of palisades was a deep trench, six feet in depth, with steps, enabling the defenders to deliver their fire from the ground level, and slip down and reload their guns in safety. Their living habitations consisted of many single large excavated chambers, dug to the depth of about six feet, and about 30ft by 20ft in length and breadth. These abodes were all covered with rough timber, and the earth that had been removed used as a covering to strengthen them, and add security to its defenders. These pas were known to have been the strongest the British troops ever had to contend against, and in which the Maori rebels' skill and ingenuity were plainly manifested. PRELIMINARY OPERATIONS.

In the early part of June, 1845. Col. Despard, with the two flank companies of tho 99th, arrived. As senior officer lis assumed tho command of the wholo force, which consisted of three companies of the 58th Regiment, under command of Major Bridge, two companies of the 99th. about 25 men of the 96th, 10 volunteers, and some bluejackets from H.M.'s. North Star and Hazard, amounting altogether to about 500 men. The Governor of Van Diemen's Land had also sent his aide-de-camp. Captain Wilmot, of tho Royal Artillery, and two antiquated artillery sergeants, who had served under Wellington in the Peninsular War! This artillery force of one officer and two old sergeants was strengthened by a selected few of Auckland's blue-smocked volunteers, under the charge of the late Mr. Reader Wood, then lieutenant—subsequently Colonial Treasurer, and one of Auckland's politicians. The rest of the volunteers were under the command of Mr. Figg, and they acted as pioneers to the force. The Artillery had under their charge two old six- ! pounders (field guns), and two small mor- ; tars. This force, having assembled at the i Day of Islands by their different vessels, pro- ' ceedei! to Kemp's store and remained in the vicinity for the night. One of the customs observed by the troops when on service in the field was to to remain under arms for one hour before the break of day. This rule was strictly adhered to. On this occasion we were supplied with half a pound of biscuits per man, a portion of t.he day's rations, the balance to be received on reaching Waimato Mission station. Captain Thompson, with two sergeants and two corporals and 50 men, with a six-pounder gun, and a dray load of ammunition, was despatched on the journey soon after daybreak. The rain soon set ,in, and continued the whole day and night. When about half-way, our gun, and ammunition dray, to which were attached four miserable bullocks, became bogged in the track. Drenched, and without food, we had to remain for tie night. The following day the ammunition was conveyed to its destination, and the gun was extricated with considerable labour.

WAIMATK MISSION STATION. About ten o'clock in the morning wo reached the Waimato, hungry and exhausted, but the arrangements made by our comrades afforded us a very pleasant surprise. They were located in a large kitchen, in one of the Mission buildings, whose inhabitants had fled. Large logs were burning brightly on tho hearth, and on the floor were several large dampers, a couple of largo jars of jam, and plenty of strong hot tea. As I entered the door I was agreeably surprised. Wo received pleasant greetings from our comrades, who relieved us of our arms, accoutrements, and our outer garments, which they kindly cleaned and dried. After doing justice to the good things put before us, we fell into a sound sleep on the floor, until the reveille sounded to keep the usual vigil an hour before daybreak, and to stand to our arms till daylight. A FORAGING COOK. Each company, when in camp or garrison, had an appointed cook. Our purveyor, who was afterwards killed in an affray in Short-land-street, was very popular with the men for any additions he made to the menu. He was undoubtedly one of the greatest foragers in the regiment, and was constantly discovering some "plants" of food, hidden by those who had fled. The men made no inquiry, but partook willingly of everything he put before them. The mission station was certainly minus of any food after our departure. OUR SKIRMISH. A few days after our arrival, Col. Despard, having reconnoitered the road and the nature of the country leading to Ohaewai, moved from the Waimato with his whole force about the 10th June. As wo approached within a mile of the rebels' position No. 9 company of the 58th Regiment, being the'advanced guard, formed in skirmishing order, under the command of Lieutenant Balneavis. We were assisted by a few friendly natives, amongst them being a white man who acted like a sort of chief. Very soon we were greeted with volleys of musketry. The surrounding scrub being eight to ten feet high their aim was ineffective, as I saw only one man injured by the fire. A friendly native on my left received a ball in the thigh, and his comrades speedily stopped the hemorrhage by plugging the wound with clay. We advanced in line, preserving our distance from the centre, taking every advantage of any cover or irregularities in the ground, the rebels falling back before us until they finally reached their stronghold. The advance skirmishers continued in their extended order, and halted on rising to undulating ground, until the whole force arrived. The ground was selected for an encampment, the positions being assigned to the various corps, under their respective commanders, two single bell tents were allotted to a company, which were pitched on the undulating side of a hill, about 500 yds or 600 yds from the pa. Many of these tents were pierced at the top from the fire from the pa, and two of our men were wounded in the company during the investment. This Ttrongliold was commanded by a conical hill within musketry range, and connected with and contiguous to the rebel position, from whence they could enter the forest unseen. This hill was placed in charge of Tamati Waka Nene, and Ids tribe, and on its summit they erected a flagstaff on which the British flag was hoisted. This post on the right of the camp added greatly to our security from surprise. The two sixpounders and the two mortars were placed in position , on the highest ground. , in advance of the camp, where earthworks, with

stone, were erected for the protection of the troops. The medical department was under the charge of Dr. Pine, of the 58th, quartermasters' department, under the quartermasters of the 58th and 99th, and the Commissariat under Mr. du Moulin. At sunset the usual outpust pickets were posted in the most advantageous position for protection. The remaining men off duty, fully accoutred, were ready to turn out" at a moment's notice. These were the daily routine of daily duties of the men in camp. Two hell tents were inadequate for a company, and only • efficient for the accommodation of about 16 mill. The first night in camp was miserable; the ground saturated from incessant rain: the flooring of the tents a soft- pool of mud. The greater number of the men were allowed next day to construct means of shelter for themselves. My l luce comrades and myself constructed a small teatree shed, with two blankets for roof protection, and procured fern for our beds. During the whole of that period, about a month in the middle of winter, an unusually wet one, the men nad no change of clothing. Our accoutrements remained on us. and our arms by our side, as our proximity to the rebel position necessitated every precaution against any sudden surprise. The men in camp did their best to provide themselves with shelter. The stall' were very inadequately provided for. There had not been stored provisions fo'r a winter's campaign, and we were without tho means of transport. A few old bullocks were obtained from Mr. Dedtrirood, formerly of the Waimate Mission Station. Some of the bullocks were bogged in the numerous streams and gullies they had to pass through, and were slaughtered for the use of the troops. Biscuits and rum were the daily fare. FRUITLESS SIEGE OPERATIONS.

The second day our encampment ground assumed a grotesque appearance. The many small tea-tree shanties enabled the men when oft' duty to stretch their wear)' limbs on the ground. The two guns and mortars being now in position, many men were assembled to watch the effect of shot and shell on the pa. Our expectations were not realised, and they produced 110 apparent effect, even after several days of partial filing. The aim and direction of the cannon shots striking the outer palisade was excellent, but they became imbedded in the rough timber. The shells were also useless, being too light to penetrate the earth through the mass of earth which protected them in their covered excavations which led to their trenches. Our commanders were at their wit's end, as it was clear that the light guns and mortars were useless in effecting a breach. Our ingenious artillerymen thought of the empty shell cases that should have contained live shells. Could they he converted into stench balls, and fired by the mortars in a vertical direction by means of short time fuses? We sent two old soldiers to assist in their manufacture. (.treat expectations were entertained by our artillery officers of the success of this scheme. The shells contained some poisonous substance, the effect of which whs expected to deprive the rebels of all animation, and leave them an easy prey to the European victors. As day by day passed away and nothing had occurred to disturb the natives in their stronghold, it was concluded the project had been a failure. It was never ascertained what number of stench balls had been fired.

The hardships that the men had to endure from incessant rain and insufficient food, produced exhaustion and weakness. About this time the supply had been exhausted, and half a pound of flour per day was the only food supplied to the troops for several days, which the men had converted into skillev, by boiling in their mess tins. A gill of rum was supplied after break of day and in the evening. Tins never I failed to be supplied. The effect of the stimulant with an inadequate supply of food was clearly noticeable, producing a buoyant/ of spirits for some time, but when its effect had died out there came a reaction, and a craving for more took place. Personally, I disliked the very smell of rum, and seldom tasted it, but I craved for more food, which was not to be obtained. THE MAORI WOMEN. The women of Tamati Waka Nenc's tribe carried their provisions from Hokianga to camp on their backs. I have often seen them carrying two kits of large potatoes, strapped to their backs with flax. They would patiently toil with their heavy burdens, while their "braves," by their sides, would render no assistance. After arriving in camp they prepared their food for their lords and masters. The women of Tamati Waka Nene, at the time when the men were half starved in camp, regularly visited the sentries on outpost duty in the early morning, accompanied by several women of the tribe, carrying small kits of cooked potatoes, and deposited one before each sentry on night duly before they returned to their camp. The few old soldiers still alive remembered with gratitude these acts of kindnesses, as well as the ingenious contrivance of the old chieftainess, Tamati Waka's wife. RESUMPTION OP THE SIEGE.

As the guns and mortars failed in effecting a breach, as well as the stench balls, through our inability to place them in the dens of the rebels, a new idea had taken possession of the minds oi some of our military leaders, namely, to construct walking batteries, a scheme which was approved by the colonel in command. All men off duty were employed in cutting tea-tree rods about 12ft in length, and faced horizontally with flax. Wlien finished they were six feet in height, and reported ball proof. Each company were provided with four, one to each section, which were to be carried by each advancing party in front of them as a shield, thus protecting themselves from the enemy's fire as they approached the pa. Upon arrival they were placed in front of each porthole of the palisade. Prom whom this idea emanated I cannot say, but to think that orders had been absolutely issued to that' effect by the officer in command is more astonishing. Did lie think that this phantom army advancing at midnight would act upon their superstitious fears? It is true the natives liavo never been known to engage in any kind of warfare during the night, but in the early morning and peep of day their surprises had been successfully accomplished against their foes. I was on outpost duty with Lieutenant Balneavis. He had order's to withdraw his picket and return to camp at a quarter to twelve p.m., and assemble at midnight to make an attack with all our available force. The bugles were not to be sounded, and all was to be conducted with perfect? silence. It had boon raining for the most part of the day, and the night was pitch dark. A't the appointed hour Sergt.major Moir and other non-commissioned officers were endeavouring to assemble the three companies of the 58th, but the torrents of rain and the extreme darkness prevented the men from assembling with regularity at their places of rendezvous. This deluge was a providential one, for it entirely frustrated the authorities from putting into execution an attempt to capture the pa by night, which they afterwards failed to accomplish by day. The three attempts to capture Ohaeawai pa ended in miserable failures,

At last it wag decided to bring one of the ship's 32-pounders and mount it on the conical hill, which ought to have been done at first, thereby siring many precious lives. The men in camp consisted of four companies of two regiments, being the picked men of two thousand strong, of superior physical stamina. They were a magnificent body of men, thoroughly disciplined and trained. There was also one battalion company. Their knapsacks having been placed in store at Kororareka, they had no change of garments, were ragged, tattered and torn, many without boots, and tied on their feet with flax, their pants of many colours; blankets and great coats reduced in size to repair their continuations. To add to their troubles there were no needles or thread, and' the soldiers supplied their wants by means of a piece of wood hardened at the point, and a hole pierced at the uAer end to carry the flax split to th' necessary size. When Col. Wynyard afterwards saw these companies of his regiment he was astonished to find his picked men in such a disreputable garb. He expressed himself by saying, " I mil indeed make a change in you' before long." A great effort by the united strength of the bluejackets and troops succeeded in dragging the big breeching gun from Kerikeri to the camp, which was accomplished by excessive labour, and reached the position assigned to it about the end of Juno. "