Continuation of Journal of Events.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XI, Issue 566, 6 June 1863, Page 2

Continuation of Journal of Events.

Sunday, May 31. — Weather fine. — In our hasty account yesterday of the capture of Hori by the combined parties from Oakura and Poutoko under Colonel Warre, ,we omitted to mention that Hori has been brought up in Ngapuhi, and was bor,n in the Bay of Islands. His mother, a Taranaki slave, was allowed to return to her tribe, the Upokomutu, at Kapoaiaia, not many years ago, and Hori has been entirely brought up amongst the natives. It is now said that he was the man fired at by Mr. Waller, and that the statement that Mr. Waller had killed a man who was carried away is not correct. Hori was stunned by Mr. Waller's bullet, and was left to his fate by his comrades. We hear that he has given a good deal of information, but it has been kept from the public, and all that has come to our knowledge is, that he has said that he is the fifth man lost

by the rebels since the murders — two men having been killed by Lt. Brutton's party on the 18th ultimo and one taken away, and another by one of the shells from the Eclipse on the 22nd ult. He has given their names, but we have only learnt the names of two — Tinikuri, of Tangahoe, and Tiopira, of Ohangai, both of the Ngatiruanui tribe. A Ngarauru native is one of the killed. Tinikuri was a man of some importance. Hori is kept a close prisoner, and it is not known what will be done with him. Lieut. Tragett's gold watch, and Dr. Hope's chain were found on his person, besides a rifle and accoutrements belonging to one of the I murdered men. He has given information of the fate of Private P. Ryan, the missing man in the Wairau beach murders. He says he was shot and buried by the natives in a certain spot near the beach, and in consequence of this information a party from the Oakura redoubt, under Major Logan, searched the Wairau in every direction to-day for his grave, but without success ; the party went about 500 yards up the Wairau road. Monday, June 1. — A general muster of the Militia and Volunteers took place to-day at 9 p.m. as a preparatory step to receiving i month's pay. The names were called out by Ensign Hempton, paymaster; after which the companies formed into hollow square, when the commanding officer, Captain Brown, addressed the men at some length. Amongst other things, he said that the General had expressed to him his anxiety to consult the convenience and interests of the force ; that a quantity of clothing, blankets, waterproofs, and boots, at the General's recommendation, would be served out as soon as they could be procured. A quantity of the former had been unfortunately earned on in the -Airedale, otherwise they would have been supplied with them to-day. Knee boots would be served out to the men as soon as arrangements were completed, for their manufacture here. There was another •subject he wished to bring before them to-day. It was proposed to send parties of men out into the country, who would be placed under officers chosen by the ! men themselves, and he would like the j men to talk the matter over amongst themselves, and then those who were willing to perform this duty could volunteer. If they did not wish to choose him for v leader, he was quite willing to go in the ranks with a rifle. It was quite optional with them to have whom they chose for a leader. Statements had been made by individuals that the Taranaki settlers were not willing to help themselves and would not come forward for this service. It was left entirely by the General in their hands, and he had no doubt it would be seen to-day that these were unfounded aspersions. The men were then dismissed for a short time, to talk over the matter, and on falling-in again, 170 men, and all the officers, stepped forward as volunteers for the service. No. 3 Company of Militia — the thirdclass men — volunteered almost to a man. No. 2 Company of Volunteers, consisting chiefly of young men and bush settlers, all volunteered with about only six exceptions — persons whose business duties precludes them from sparing the time. About half of No. 1 Company Militia and No. 1 Company Volunteers stepped forward. The names of the volunteer^ for this service were taken down, each* company selecting their captains for leaders, and the parade was dismissed. We are informed that the General has accep. ted the services of 50, who are for this duty during the current month, in conjunction with the military. Fifty of No. 2 Company Volunteers have been told -off for this month, under Capt. Atkinson. This system of having armed bodies of men moving about the country will afford great protection to the town, and is an immense improvement upon the system adopted during the last war when the natives were permitted to come within rifle shot of the town, murder settlers, and fire houses in broad daylight with perfect impunity. To have the run of the country instead . of the natives has found great favor with the civilian force. It has already been seen how successfully the 57th have carried out the system. A. party of the 70th were on this service to-day under Capt. Ralston, Wm. Newland and E. Shaw acting as guides.

Tuesday, June 2.— A party of 300 men of the 57th Regt., under Colonel Warre, C.8., went yesterday in search of the body of Patrick Ryan. They marched up within 500 yards of the pa on the spur of the ranges. Two shots were fired at them from the rifle pits, and an attempt at a yell made. Ryan's body was found huddled into a potato pit, about 130 yards from the scene of the murders up the Wairau road, with one bullet wound in the head, and two tomahawk cuts in the back. He was no doubt shot the same day with the rest, and was killed while trying to make his escape across the country. His body was exhumed and brought to Oakura for decent burial. Ryan makes nine out of ten British soldiers, who were savagely murdered by the southern natives on the fatal 4th of May.

Col. Warre's force skirmished over the intervening country, and visited the Tataraimaka camp, and found the troops there well and hearty, and ready for any service. The enemy is hard at work constructing positions beyond the Katikara stream, and occasionally fire harmless volleys at the Redoubt. Women, and also children, are to be seen busily employed in the erection of earthworks at the enemy's positions. — Capt. Atkinson's party left town to day on special service. — The Eclipse returned from Manukau at an early hour this morning. She has not brought any news. Everything is quiet at Auckland.

Wednesday, June 3. — The s.s. Lady Bird arrived at 11 a.m. from the Southern ports. The news from Wellington and Wanganui is of a very meagre character. From the latter place we hear that a letter had arrived from the natives at Tataraimaka with the intelligence that a native named Arapata was fired at by the troops at Tataraimaka, when he and another native named Horomona, who with others rushed to his assistance, were killed. This is doubtless the native account of Lieut. Brutton's affair with them on the 18th ult. The local paper at Wanganui says that " upwards of 100 Wanganui natives started for Taranaki during Monday and Tuesday, making in all about 300 who have gone from this river," A correspondent writes — "A great many of the up-river natives have gone up to fight at Tataraimaka, and great quantities of red shawls have been sold by the store keepers here to the natives for 'taupakis.' They are very anxious to buy ' patitis ' (tomahawks), and are buying all the marbles they can get. On Saturday last they went to a storekeeper and cleaned him out of all his old zinc lined cases, to make bullets of coarse. The natives have ofteu told me that they wish to keep this place open so that they may get supplies, and if it is shut against them they will consider that we desire to fight, and then they will make war on us." — The Lady Bird left for Manukau at dusk. The Colonial Secretary, the Native Minister, and Col. Nixon are passengers. — Capt. Atkinson's party has returned ; no traces of natives were seen.

Thursday, June 4 — This day, exactly a month since the Wairau beach massacre, and exactly two since the occupation of Tataraimaka, will be long remembered by the Southern natives. An expedition for several days past has been preparing for an attack upon the enemy's positions south of Tataraimaka, on the Katikara stream. Everything has been veiy properly kept secret, and nothing was known of any intended movement until a late hour last night, when in the fine moonlight night the forces, numbering about 450 men, . silently marched from town, leaving it in the care of the civilian force under Major Mould, R.E. We believe that the carts, with necessaries, supplies, ammunition, &c, had been previously sent to Oakura, so that the troops marched away noiselessly, and it was almost impossible for any native spies to convey intelligence to the enemy of a movement from town. The consequence is that the enemy has been taken by surprise. At 4 a.m. the Eclipse, with the Governor on board, left for Tataraimaka, and from an early hour the reports of guns has Ijeen heard in town. At 10 a telegram was received from Tataraimaka by Major Mould from the General with the following brief but pleasing intelligence: — "Tataraimaka, 9 a.m., Enemy completely routed with heavy loss and positions carried; we lost only one man killed and four wounded." Great excitement in town, and anxiety to hear further news. It is gratifying to all to know that a day of reckoning for the Southern murderers has arrived, and that the murders on the 4th May have been avenged. 12 noon. — Mr. Jas. Bayly, a Tataraimaka settler, who Accompanied the troops this morning in their attack on the natives, has just arrived in town. He says the troops rushed a native position about a mile and a half from the Katikara Btream, near Johnny's flat, at the point of the bayonet and killed every native found in it. He says he shot three himself. About 100 natives escaped before the place was rushed. It is known a great number of natives are killed ; 24 bodies were brought to St. George's redoubt, three of whom were burnt in a whare in the pa, and others were left in the fern — Tamati Hone Oraukawa, chief of Ngatiruanui, is said tebe one of them. Our casualties are — 1 killed, 2 mortally wounded, and 8 slightly wounded. 2 p.m. — The Eclipse has returned from Tataraimaka, and has brought up the body of the soldier killed and the wounded men . A portion of the troops engaged also came back in the Eclipse, and also the Governor and General Cameron ; the latter was heartily cheered when he landed on the beach, and three cheers were also given to his Excellency. The Eclipse, we are told, did good service by shelling the native position ; and Captain Mercer's battery of two Armstrong guns was very effective, the practice having been excellent. The native position, which was stormed by the 57th, was an earthwork in course of completion, in which were

the usual underground chambers anfl whares. The natives killed were difficult to recognise; even Komene who saw them all could only recognise Tamati Hone. It is believed that the bodies are all Wanganui and Waitotara natives." The reports in circulation regarding the number of natives killed and the details of the action are, as usual, very conflicting, and we must therefore defer any further account of this eventful day's 1 proceedings until we can get authentic 1 particulars, which, together with the \ names of the officers and regiments engaged and a list of the killed and wounded, we will give to-morrow when we ex- ; pect to get them. — The results following upon the defeat and loss of the rebels are difficult to imagine ; but it may be considered that one of two things will be certain — submission, or a general rising of the tribes j the first, we are afraid, is not very likely. 7 p.m. — We have just heard that* • an ambuscade of natives was laid this evening at Wairau beach, at the' same spot where the massacre took place on the 4th ultimo, who fired at Messrs. Parris, Camngton, Innes, and others,' who were riding back from Tataraimaka in advance of the troops. The natives fired one volley and then decamped, but did not succeed in hitting any body. This act on the part of the enemy after the chastisement they received in the morning proves that they are not yet conquered. — The Eclipse left at dusk for Manukau .kwith the Governor and suite. It is not known when he will return, or whether he will return at all.. Friday, June 5. — The following is a list of the casualties in yesterday's attack on the native position : — 57th Regiment. Killed. — Private Edward Martin Wounded. Private H. Shipman, mortal, wound in head (since dead). Private J. Osborne, dangerously, wound of . abdomen (since dead). Private P. Flaherty, severely, gunshot, shoulder. •Private J. Evans, severely, gunshot, wrist " M. Fox, slightly, thumb rounded. " J. Deagan, slightly, gunshot, face. " D. Hurley, slightly, tomahawk, ankle. Private Isaac Morton, severely, contusion both thighs. • Private B. Stackpool, severely, tomahawk, shin. 70th Regiment. Wounded. — Private William Wallace, severely, gunshot, elbow. We have gleaned the following facts which we believe are reliable : — At about 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening, 81 of the 65th Regt., under Captain Gresson, and Lieuts. Lewis & Chevalier ; 90 men of the 40th.Regt. under Lieut. Hobbs and Ensign Ducrow ; 228 men of the 70th Regt., under Major Mulock, Captains Rutherford, Tovey, Ralston, and Cay, Lieuts. Huskisson, & Grierson, Ensign Clarke and Young, and Dr Meiklehan ; also, 119 of the Artillery Corps under, Capt. Mercer, R. A., and Lieuts. Rait and Larcom ; together with Lieut.-Col. Gamble, D.Q.G., Lt. Colonel Hutchins, Military Secretary, Major c Paul, Dr Mouat, C.8., Capt. Travers, L.T.C., ' Major McNeil, A.D.C., Capt. Gorton, A.D.C. Dr Tomlinson, D.A.C.G. Innes, and Mr Parris, Asst. Native Sec. — the whole under the command of Lieut-General Cameron, C.B. — marched from town by the GreatjSouth Road. On reaching the Poutoko Redoubt the force was joined by a party of the 57th Regt. under Colonel Warre, C.8., Capt. Russell, Adjt. Clarke, Ensign Douglass, Dr Mackinnon and Qr.-Master Martindale, the detachment of the 40th being left there in garrison under Lieut. Hobbs. At Oakura the force was joined by a detachment of the 70th under Capt. Wright who had proceeded there in the morning, a company of the 70th, under Capt. Tovey, remaining to garrison that post. The troops, observing a dead silence, with a party of skir- , mishers along the heights, proceeded to Ta- ' taraimaka, where they were reinforced by Lieut-Col. Logan, Captain Shortt, Ensign Duncan, and Lieut. Warburton, R.E., with a detachment of the 57th from Oakura, toge- .< ther with Lieut. Pickard, R.A., and three Armstrong, guns and a detachment of the Mounted Artillery, and Lieut. Ferguson, R.E. with a sergeant and 6 men of the Engineers. The whole force assembled at St. George's Redoubt and waited impatiently there till daylight. The force was then formed in rear of the Redoubt as follows — The 57th, including the Tataraimaka detachment, under Colonel Warre, Lieut-Col. Logan, Capts. Woodall, Russell, and Shortt, Lieuts. Brutton, Waller, Cox, Thompson, Adjt Clarke, and Ensigns Manners, Duncan, Douglass, and Broderip, as the advance— the 65th and 70th to follow as a support. At about 6*15 a.m. the force advanced to the attack, the course taken being to the left of the Redoubt over Bayly's farm. After marching about 400 yards the Armstrong battery halted and was posted on the edge of the ridge overhanging the Katikara river. Here the guns immediately wheeled up and fired into the native redoubt about 800 yards distant, directly inland — the 57th at the same time doubling down the valley in single file to attack the rifle pits to the right of the enemy's position. After dashing across the stream and ascending the opposite height, the advance under Lieut. Waller and Lieut. > Brutton, with their Colonel in command, immediately rushed the rifle pits to the right, and drove the enemy from their position above the mouth of the river, thereby opening up the road to the reserves, w'" -• came rapidly up, while the support; (^ party under Lieutenant Colonel Logon,

Captains Shortt and Russell and Ensigns Manners, Duncan and Douglass, having been fired upon from the redoubt, turned to their left, and running over an open space of 300 yards, with fixed bayonets, stormed the place killing every native found in it. Captain Shortt with his party and Captain Russell with his, rushed the redoubt almost simultaneously, while Ensign Duncan was coming over at another part. Captain Shortt claims to be first in, and Col. Logan, who dismounted from his horse just outside, went iv immediately after. The men behaved well and nothing could restrain the impetuosity of the charge. The natives were at once driven into their holes, where the bayonet did its work. On the right Colonel Warre's party cleared the rifle pits, and pursued the flying enemy southwards and inland, Col. Warre leading his men through the high fern with conspicuous gallantry— the 65th and the 70th coming up in time, by the right of St. George's redoubt, and up the Katikara valley, to be of essential service. The brunt of the action was borne by the 57th, as will be seen by the list of casualties. The General was highly pleased with the gallaut manner in which the enemy's positions were carried, and we are told complimented Col. Warre and his men on the spot, telling the colonel "he ought to be proud to command so fine a regiment : well done, 57th." When the Armstrong guns ceased firing (the practice of which was excellent) Lieut. Rait and a party of the Artillery with their swords and revolvers, crossed the gully and river to the left to try and intercept the retreat of the enemy from their redoubt. The Maori position taken by Lt.Colonel Logan's party, in which were several whares, was fired, and the enemy pursued in all directions. The bodies of the natives killed (24 in number) were brought to the Tataraimaka camp in transport carts, and several perspns asked if they could identify any of them. Only one was supposed by Komene to be Tamati Hone Oraukawa, chief of the Ngaruahine division of the Ngatiruanui tribe, but it was almost impossible to tell from the fact of one-half of the head having been blown away by a shell. Taranaki and Ngatiruanui natives would have been recognised, ■ we therefore suppose that the natives killed were mostly from Wanganui. Several guns have been taken, and a fine taiaha, (a chiefs spear), and several tomahawks are trophies iv the hands of the men. The spear was sold to an oflicer for i-10. The Eclipse was anchored off the Katikara valley, and threw some shells while the troops were advancing to the attack. A shell from her Armstrong gun was thrown with admirable precision, and the distance judged exactly. The ship lay within a mile of the native redoubt, and one shell fell into the centre of it, and it killed at least one native, for a piece of the fuse was found in one of the bodies, which Commander Mayne has preserved. — The loss of the natives" may be safely estimated at about 40 killed, and a great number wounded. The bodies brought in were only those killed in the redoubt, and it is known that several natives were shot while retreating. — Where everyone did his duty in this decisive affair we need not particularise, and will only mention that the General, who directed and planned the attack, and who occupied a foremost place, and the officers and men who stormed the maori positions, deserve the thanks of the colony. The natives were taken by surprise, and our casualties were mostly caused by the first volleys fired when the 57th rushed up. The following official account of the affair was published to-day in a Gazette : — Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, sth June, 1863. The following letter from His Excellency the Governor's Private Secretary with its enclosure is published for general information. Charles Brow**, Superintendent. Taranaki, 4th June, 1863. Sir, — I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to enclose for your information, and for the purpose of being made public if you should desire to do so, a short account of the proceedings which took place at Tataraimaka this morning. Fuller particulars will be laid before the public so soon as His Excellency receives Lieut. • Genera) Cameron's official despatch. I have, &c, William Seed. Private Secretary. His Honor the Superintendent. &c, &c, &c, New Plymouth.

His Excellency the Governor directs it to be notified that Lieut.. General Cameron C.8., left the town of New Plymouth, at 9 p.m. on the 3rd instant accompanied by amilatary force, and arrived at Tataraimaka 4 a.m. this morning (the 4th intant). The force under his command at that point being made up of the Head Quarter Companies of the 57th and 70th Regts., of a detachment of the 65th regt., of three Armstonp guns and the greater part of the men of Captain Mercer's battery, and a small detachment of the Royal Engineers. The force being in att about 650 strong. The attack commenced at 6| this morning. The force crossed the Katikara river and attacked the enemy's position on the left bank of that stream, which it carried, totally routing the enemy who fled in confusion, leaving twenty-two of his dead on one part of the field."

The Lieut-General Btates that Colonel Warre, C.8., and the 57th Regt. under his command availed themselves of an opportunity afforded them by carrying, with the greatest gallantry, a redoubt of the enemy's where the principal fighting took place.

The loss on our side was 1 private killed, and 2 mortally and 2 severely wounled of the 57th R»*gt. — and 1 private severely of the 70th R«gt.

H.M.S. Eclipse under the command of Captain Mayne, R.N., sailed from New Plymouth at Z\ a.m. this morning, and arrived off the Katikara river at the hour arranged with the Lieut.-General, so as to co— operate most usefully with the military force from the commencement of the attack by shelling the enemy' 9 works. The Lieut.-General and part of the force returned in H.M.S. Eclipse to New Plymouth the same morning, reaching that place at 1 p.m. The remainder of the force marching back to Town. Taranaki, June 4th, 1863. "We have much pleasure in publishing the following from General Orders of to-day : — " The Lieut. General takea this opportunity of offering his best thanks to Captain Brown and the officers and men of the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers for enabling him to collect an adequate force for the' attack, by undertaking the entire protection of the town of New Plymouth in the absence of the regular troops, as well as for the good will and zeal with which they have always shared the arduous duty since the commencement of hostilities. I " By command, " W. J. Hutchins, " Lieut-Colonel, Asst. Mil. Sec." . The following notice was posted in town to-day : — NOTICE. Superintendent's Office, sth June, 1863. Particular attention is called to the following letter from the Asst. Native Secretary : — New Plymouth, sth June, 1863. Snt, — In consequence of certain information which I have received this morning I have the honor to recommend that a notice be issued warning the settlers not to be moving about carelessly in any part of the district north of the town. Notice has already been issued (I believe) with reference to the other parts of the district. I have, &c, Robert Parris, Assistant Native Secretary. His Honor the Superintendent, New Plymouth. It is said that the Mataitawa natives have gone over to the enemy ; anil have signified their intention to murder and maraud at the north of the town. Little Paul told us he and W. King's people should join the enemy, and he has been as good as his word, although when, interrogated by the Government on the subject, he prevaricated aud said he did not tell us so. Now that Waitara has been given up it will be seen whether W. King and his followers fought for it or for Maori mana and the land league. It is said that Tamati Teito (our old friend the prophet) has said to the natives " Kill and spare not." We may add that during his Excellency's visit the Mataitawa natives have beeu daily in town, and have made considerable purchases of clothing and necessaries.