REMINISCENCES OF THE NORTHERN WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11062, 13 May 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

REMINISCENCES OF THE NORTHERN WAR.

' I [BY BOUT. HATTAWAY, COLOUR and pay SERGEAXT, H.M. 58TH BEUIMKXT.] No. 111. SIEGE OF OHAEAWAI PA. The provisions issued daily to the troops continued to be entirily insufficient for the wants of men who were perfoi miiig such arduous duty. By some means the men heard of a large quantity of potatoes being stored in a whare, about 30yds from the enemy's position, and it was an inducement j for the venturesome spirits in the camp to | increase their supply of food. Many lull j kits bad been taken by the men at night, j The quantity gradually diminishing caused ; the rebels to place a watch to intercept the pillagers. On the night of the 30th June, 1845, a small party approached the hut, and secured a supply. When the last man of tho party was about to leave he was captured with his load, and conveyed to the inside of the pa, where the Maoris subjected him to ,1 terribly lingering death, by tying him to a post, and placing around him kauri gum, to which they set fire. This man was a fine young fellow of the Light Company, 99th Regiment-. His screams and yells of pitiful agony were clearly and distinctly heard by men on outpost duty, The fire was likewise seen in the distance from the conical hill. After the capture of the pa this spot was visited by his comrades. Brass buttons and a buckle were found in the debris, but his body was completely consumed. This barbarous and cruel act created such a commotion in camp that it almost approached to insubordination. The men assembled in small parties and approached the sergeantmajor, who conveyed their demand to be led to the attack of the pa to Adjutant McLcric, who reported to his superiors the state of the men's feelings in camp. It was stated that the adjutant had volunteered to storm the pa with the flank companies of the 58th Regiment. This partially allayed the excitement. The old Colonel, who had previously served in a storming party in his early days, decided to satisfy and gratify his men 011 the following day, the Ist July. SURPRISE OF THE FRIEXDLIES' CAMP. My comrades had secured a small sucking pig (we were starving at the time), from a wahine for 10s, which she had brought with her from Hokiar.ga. We ignited the wood, and secured the animal to a- stake driven into the ground, and thus promised ourselves a great treat. The Auckland Volunteers were supplied with camp kettles, and I was 011 my way to borrow one from them at about half-past six a.m. of the 31st, when I heard a great noise and commotion 011 the conical hill where the friendly natives were encamped, and where the sergeant's guard of 12 men was placed in charge of a sixpounder gun, which had been removed from the camp and placed 011 the hill in order to cover and protect those engaged below in forming the necessary works before the large gun could be placed in position. Colonel Despard was superintending these works, which were placed about- two-thirds the distance up the hill. The commotion was caused by a large body of rebels emerging from the bush, who fired a volley, capturing the gun in camp occupied by Tamati Waka Nene, as well as the flag and flagstaff erected therein. The friendly natives, who were absent from the position at the time, were trying to discover the whereabouts of the rebels, who were known to have left the pa shortly prior to the surprise. On looking up at the hill I saw the Maori women descending speedily, and beard them yelling. j Tho flag was also hauled down and captured. I The assembly to arms having been sounded I by the bugler on duty, the men soon all I collected in column. The two nearest coinj allies were moved off under the command of Major Bridge, consisting of the Light Company (Captain Denny's) and No. 9. Company (Lieutenant Balneavis'.) The words of

command given were: " Right face; double, march!" The track from the camp was a circuitous one, leading around the base of the hill, and continuing up the ascent, until the top was reached. We commenced independent firing when within easy range of our guns by turning to the leit, making a temporary halt, delivering our fire, and moving up to the right of our companions in arms. This occupied but a short time, as the rebels retired before lis. In recapturing the guns and position our losses were three wounded. The sentry on the gun had been previously killed by a volley, which inflicted 011 him six wounds. The Maoris left one big fellow behind, it being an unusual thing for them to abandon their dead. The firing had brought the friendly natives back to their camp, and after posting a strong guard the two companies returned to their own camp. On our arrival there the little pig Iml disappeared, and we lost our promised treat. We were told afterwards that the wahine had been suckling the pig from her breast on the way from Hokianga. There was an amusing incident reported and in circulation among the men, but probably overdrawn. The old Colonel used his stick when walking, and was always accompanied by his field bugler. The bugler was with him at the time of the surprise and the capture of the hill above, where the Colonel and the fatigue party were engaged. They escaped the enemy's bullets, but it hurried their flight in ascending the hill. The bugler's statement, if true, was that he ran with his utmost speed to camp, but the commander was there before him, and coolly issuing his orders to the different heads of departments. The capture and torture of the unfortunate man on the 31st, and surprise of Taniati Waka's camp with gun and flag, produced in the minds of the men a desire for retribution. The question arose whether life was worth living as soldiers under the extreme hardships they had patiently to endure; also, why continue to remain before a place they believed could

be captured? The commander, well knowing the desire of the men, complied with the request. Was he right in relinquishing his power of command over his men? I think not. He made a great mistake in not waiting to see what results would follow from the firing of the powerful gun from such a position, as already described, on the hill. He undoubtedly made a grievous error in despatching two-thirds of his disposable force against the strongest part of the pa, when there was no egress or ingress to or from that part of the pa immediately facing the camp. At the rear from the conical hiii the rebels could be seen daily leaving and entering their stronghold, the forest being adjacent thereto, a most favourable place for the collecting and placing of a body of men about to attack or surprise a position. If the Colonel had assembled about 200 men here, supported by the friendly natives, and made a feint on its front, the result might have been successful. DISASTROUS ATTACK ON OHAEAWAI As it was, at 3 p.m., July 1, the bugles sounded the assembly, and all except those on guard or sick were collected or formed in column with their officers, Colonel Hulme, Major Bridge, McPherson, with the officers in command of the various companies. On i volunteers being called for the forlorn hope, the whole of the men of the 58th took a pace to the front, indicating that they were all willing to join with that party. em § i more than was required, the right hand , man, front and rear rank, of eacn section i of the company, was ordered to the front; a similar number of the 99th, under the subaltern officer constituted the forlorn hope, storming party, main body, and reserve, each party under their duly appointed officers. There were a few volunteers to carry scaling ladders and axes, as well as present Lieutenant Philpott, the commander of the Hazard, with about a dozen bluejackets, the bugler sounding the advance, the men all moving forward in double time to their appointed positions. The forlorn hope and storming party arrived betore the pa about the same time, with little loss. The supporting bodies were at convenient distances to render , assistance when called for,- but all were under short range of the pa, and several.men suffered from its fire. 'The guard on the hill had a distinct view of the proceedings below. ' The. surprise tp the

natives was such that many were making for the back entrance, but as the stormers could not get into the pa the defenders of the pa returned to their trenches. One scaling laddor was placed against the outer palisade, and the men attempting to effect an entrance by this means were shot down. The faces of this pa were commanded and swept by the fire from the angles, and as men were falling fast, after the lapse of about seven minutes, the commander ordered the retreat to be sounded. Tin l greatest difficulty then ensued in succouring and assisting wounded comrades. Some lost their lives in performing these noble acts of mercy. 101 men were sacrificed, out of 300 engaged, in the unreasonable attempt to capture the strongest known pa in New Zealand. Many brave ! acts were performed, as. for example, a j major of the 99th Reirinient (said to be 18 j stone in weight) was left behind severely j wounded, when two men of the 58th (J. Pali lett and Whitetluead) volunteered to go to : his assistance, and succeeded in effecting his rescue. The former was a son of an old sergeant-major killed at Waterloo. Both of their names appeared in garrison orders afterwards for bravery. Another poor fellow of the company 1 belonged to, by name McKinnon. was carrying his companion, a Corporal Stewart, 011 his back to a place of safety when he received his death wound. Both' bodies were afterwards recovered.

AFTER THE BATTLE. After the repulse, and our return to camp, the rebels came to the outside of the pa, in the midst of our dead and dying comrades, and performed the war dance in their naked savagery. They were several hundred strong, 'and their veils were appalling. A few shells or round shot sent amonst them would have silenced their savage joy, but our unfortunate comrades left on the field, whom we were desirous of rescuing, pievented us from seeking any retribution. Three or four poor fellows who bad sought the protection of scrub reached the camp during the night, one by the name of Fisher, who had two brothers in the Light Company, died before morning. His brothers escaped uninjured. The three doctors had a busy time of it that night. Several of the wounded men had to have their legs amputated, and a couple bad to lose their arms. Dr. Pine's experience was of great service on this occasion. I only heard of one case that ended fatally. After the amputation took place in the upper part of the thigh, mortification set in, and 110 skill could save him.

The night of the storming of the pa, was sin eventful one to chase present. -he lieavy losses, the many wounded to bo attended to, the persistent watchfulness required against surprise in the early morning, the camp being without any protection, and a perfect quagmire of mud. The men, however, were determined to defend their wounded comrades till the last pass. The night passed away without any attack, and confidence was restored. The dead lay where they fell, opposed to the attacks of wild pigs belonging to the rebels. On the afternoon of the third day, Archdeacon Williams arrived from the Waimate, accompanied by another gentleman, either Mr. j Tinker or Mr. Davis. After some consultaj tion with the commander, they performed a | noble act. They went straight to the rebel i I pa, carrying a small white flag in their hands. 1 i We were under some apprehension for their safety, but after about an hour's absence returned, and we were permitted to collect and bury our dead. A strong fatigue party was sent for that purpose. I was ' not on that dutv, but those who were stated j that many of the dead were in a state of I nudity. Where the clothing was good it I was removed from their bodies, and the condition of the bodies was pitiable to witness, i After the painful and necessary duty of colI lecting the dead, excavations were made in | the ground. Thirty-two bodies were placed | in one grave, and eight in another, and the | beautiful burial service of the Church of England was read over the fallen. The I bodies were covered up, and the dead left to I sleep their, last sleep. Several isolated j bodies were found afterwards, and buried in the same manner, commander Pbilpott, the nephew of Dr. i'hilpott, Bishop of Exeter. was found to the left of where the main attack was made. His body was not mutilated. and apparently had been undisturbed after he fell. Captain Grant's body was not discovered until nearly the middle of the month of July, after the vacation of the pa. Upon search being made the soldiers found lie bad been buried. He was discovered by one hand being uncovered by the earth, i A man of my company, who was assiting in removing the body, said it was obvious that portions of the fleshy part of the body had been cut off and removed from the trunk. Thies matter was much talked about in camp, as also was a drumhead court-martial, on a fine-looking young man, who previous to leaving England had been a sergeant on recruiting service. His habit of indulging too freely in intoxicants brought about his ruin, for he was charged with tampering with and adulterating the grog, for which he was trieu and convicted, losing his " stripes" and the respect of his comrades. The following day he was one of the storming party, and in the attack on ! the pa he was killed, and his body buried 1 with those who fell on that occasion. His brother was a non-commissioned officer, and 1 it was conjectured that was the reason 1 the authorities cancelled the proceedings of 1 the court-martial, and he simply appeared ! on the records as a non-commissioned officer ■ killed in action.

EVACUATION OF THE PA. Several days elapsed, and the duties of the camp continued to be performed in the ordinary way. Provisions were insufficient, and of very bad quality. The boots of many of the men were entirely worn out; the condition of the clothing was becoming worse. Our one great hope was from the breaching gun now in position, for which we had received a supply of ammunition. Our expectations were fully realised on the following day. The shot penetrated their stronghold, and it was reported that two or three natives had been cut in two when they had appeared out of their dens for cooking or other purposes. It was unlikely that they could continue to hold their pa, with any prospect of success, commanded as it was by the heavy gun lately mounted.

There were two courses open to the rebel natives, either to capture the summit of the hill occupied by the friendly natives—the very key of the position—or to vacate their stronghold. Unusual vigilance was exercised to protect this strong position from a surprise at dawn. This surprise was not attempted, however, and the friendly natives were evidently aware that the rebels were about evacuating the pa by their constant shouting and bantering at night—a native custom. This revealed the intentions of the rebels to their friends in our camp, or we could not otherwise have become acquainted with their having left at midnight. As soon as this act became known there was a general stampede from camp, of men off duty, to explore its vicinity, but it was not until daylight that the nature of this stronghold was fully revealed. We were then fully convinced of the folly and madness of sacrificing the lives of officer and men without a possibility of success. But it must he remembered that Colonel Despard was weak-minded enough to comply with the men's request, probably against his own experience and belief, for his courage and bravery had been too well tested in his early years. It must have been gratifying to the many brave officers engaged to see how nobly the men performed all the duties required of them during the worst portion of an unusually wet New Zealand winter. Continually wearing saturated garments for nearly a month, exhausted from want of sufficient food, and living in shanties which afforded little or no protection from the weather, was it any wonder that both officers and men heartily rejoiced at the prospect of what they hoped would end their military service in New Zealand.

The natives, on relinquishing their pa, left behind them large supplies of splendid potatoes, which were acceptable to the troops at the time. With the recovery of their spirits, it was wonderful to see what a physical improvement, appeared to have taken place in the troops. Though their clothing was of many colours, the most conspicuous were red, white, grey, and black..

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