OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTURE OF ORAKAU.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 390, 16 April 1864, Page 3

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTURE OF ORAKAU.

[ FROM THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.] Camp Te Awamntu, April 3 1804. Sir, —I have the honor to state, for the information of the Lieut. General commanding the Forces, that about mid-day on the 30th ultimo, it was reported to me by Lient. Colonel Haul tain, commanding at Kilukihi Redoubt, that the natives were seen in force at the village of Orakau, about 2y to 3 miles distant from his post. I immediately rode over and made a reconnoissance, found that the natives were engaged building a pa, and as it was then too late iu the day to attack at once, I returned to this cam]), and made arrangements to inarch on the enemy’s position during the night. Capt. Baker. 18th Royal Irish, Deputy Assistant-Adjutant General, fortunately found two men in the cam]) (Messrs. Gage and Astle), whom, from their local knowledge, I at once engaged as guides, which circumstance enabled me to determine on a c n bined mov ment.

My plan of attack was to advance with the main body along the dtay road to Orakau ; to detach a force of 250 men. under Major Blythe, 40th Regiment, who would take a circuitous route through a somewhat difficult country: crossing and recrossing the Punio River, aud inarching on my right flauk to to take the enemy’s position in reverse ; and, thirdly, to draw a force of 100 men from Rangiawliia and Haeirini, under Capt. Brnwitt, Goth Regiment who would march across to the enemy’s position on my left, the three bodies arriving, if possible, simultaneously before the enemy’s stronghold shortly before day-break. At midnight, Major Blythe, 40th Regiment, marched with 250 men, [ 109 of the 40tli, 138 of the Gsth, 28 Forest Ran gars], with directions to. take the road to the right, and to gain the rear of the enemy’s position before dayli*ht. halting there until he should hear my attack, and then to dispose of his force so as to cut off the retreat of the enemy. The road from Rangiawhia to Orakau I found, on inquiry, to be very difficult, being intercepted by deep swam}) aud thick hush ; however, having every eon tidence in Oapt. Blewitt’s energy, I directed that officer, who commaudsat h’augiawliia, to inarch during the night and endeavour to form a junction with me before daylight on the proper right of the enemy’s position, bringing with him 100 men

At 3 o’clock on Thursday morning the 31st ultimo, I marched with the main body [35 of the Royal Artillery ; 32 of Mounted Artillery ; <> of the Royal Engineers ; 1 limit. 12th Regiment; 153 of 18-th Regiment ; 285 of 40th Regiment ; 42 of Usih Regiment ; 152 militia ; 2G Forest Rangers ; Total, 2 field officers, 5 captains. 13 lieutenants, 3 staff, 34 sergeants. 15 drummers, GOO rank and file] along the dray road to Kihikihi, taking on Lieut. Colonel .Haultain aud 150 men from that post, and then proceeded by the same road to the village of Orakau, which I reached as the day dawned. The enemy, evidently taken by surprise, opened fire on the advanced guard, composed of 120 of the Royal Irish, and 20 of the Forest Rangers, gallantly led by Capt. Ring, 18th Royal Irish, (and supported by 100 of the 40th Regiment ), who immediately rushed forward to the attack in skirmishing order. The position being found very strong —an earthwork w itii strong defences, deep ditches, with post and-vails outside, and nearly covered from view with llax bushes .peach trees, and high fern. This party were forced to retire, but it at once re-

formed, and being reinforced by mother a company of the 4-Of.h Regiment, again tried to take the place oy assault, but with no better success. .Here CaptainRing, 18th Royal Irish, fell mortally wounded, and Captain Fisher, 40 Regiment, severely so besides four men lulled and several wounded.

On Captain Ring’s falling, Captain Baker, 18th Royal Irish, D.A.A. General most gallantly galloped up, dismounted, and calling for volunteers, again endeavoured to carry the place by assault. This also failed.

Finding that there was no chance of taking the pa in 1 this manner, fiom its immense strength, and other men hav-

ing fallen, I determined to desist from this mode of attack, and having heard that both Major Blyth, 40th Regiment and Captain Blewitt, were at their appointed posts, I decide l on surrounding the place,'and adopting the more slow but sure method of approaching the position by sap, which was shortly after commenced under the very able directions of ■ Lieutenant Hurst, 12th Regiment attached to the Royal Engineer’s Department.

At this time, Lieutenant Carre, Royal Artillery, endeavoured to effect a breach in the enemy’s works, but could make no impression upon it A further Supply of entrenching tools and gabions (which latter had most fortunately been prepared at the neighbouring posts for service of head-quarters ; on the Horatiu), were immediately ordered up with the men’s biaukets, food, etc., and every possible precaution taken by the proper disposition of the' force to prevent the escape of the enemy. During the afternoon, a l’einforcement of some 150 or 200 of the enenvy, from the direction of Maungatautari, appeared in sight, evidently determined on relieving the place.' They advanced to a bush situated about nine hundred yards in rear of our outposts, but seeing that it was scarcely possible to break through the line'formed by our troops, they halted and commenced firing volleys; at the same time, exciting the men in the pa to increased energy, by dancing the war dance, shouting etc.

The wounded were sent on to Te Awamutu and Kihikihi. The sap was pushed forward vigorously, and the- troops so posted as to prevent any possibility of escape by the natives during the night. Heavy filing was kept 'up by the enemy on the troops, both in the sap, and around the place, d uring the day and night, causing but few casualties, the men contriving to cover themselves in temporary rifle pits, dug out with their bavouets and hands.

A reinforcement of 200 men—[9B of the 12 regt., 50 of the Forest Rangers] —under the command of Captain Inman, 18th Royal Irish, reached me from headquarters during the afternoon. Having reported my proceedings to the Commander of the Forces in the morning, I was glad to receive a reinforcement, as detailed in the margin—[4 23 of the 18th Royal Irish, 97 of the 7Otli j —sent by him, and guided by Captain Greaves, Deputy-Assistant-Quartermaster General, which arrived about daylight on. the morning of April Ist, which enabled me to relieve the men in the sap more constantly, and therefore to carry on the work more quickly. Captain Greaves also afforded me material assistance in the duties of his department. This day was spent in working at the sap, and making rifle-pits around the pa, a few casualties occurring. Captain Betty, Royal Artillery, arrived during the day, and assumed command of the Royal Artillery, which enabled Lieut. Carre to render some assistance to Lieutenant llurst in constructing the sap, lie having been at it without intermission.

■ During the night a few of the enemy were perceived trying to effect an escape, from the pa, hut being immediately fired upon returned to their earthwork. I omitted to mention that Capt. Betty, Royal Artillery, threw some well directed shells at the Maori reinforcement in the bush and on the hills, which evidently di concerted them considerably. At au early' hour on the morning of the 2nd April, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Havelock, Bart., Deputy-Assist-ant-Quartennaster-General, arrived with the hand grenades, which were at once thrown into the enemy’s position with great effect by Sergeant McKay, Royal Artillery, who thus rendered good and gallant service at great personal risk under a galling fire.

About noon I ordered Captain Betty, Royal Artillery, to have a six pounder Armstrong gun carried into the sap ; an entrance having been made, it opened fire on the enemy’s work, destroying the palisading, making a considerable breach, and silencing in a great measure the fire of the enemy on the men engaged at the head of the sap. The Commander of the Forces, with his staff, Ac., arrived on the ground at this time and witnessed the remainder of the operations. Colonel Mould, C. 8., Royal Engineers, coming up with General Cameron, gave his able assistance towards the completion of the sap into the enemy’s work.

As it was known that women and children were in the pa, the enemy was called upon to surrender, previous to the concentrated fire, of the Armstrong gun and hand grenades on the work. Thoy were told that their lives would be spared, and if they declined, they were requested at least to have compassion on their women and children, and send them out Uuqv replied that they would not do so, but woidd fight to the last. The pa was then carried, the enemy effecting his escape ..from the. opposite side of the work, flashed through a space from \v!iicb the troops had been thrown back under cover,' to enable the gun to open. They

■\V. re,, however, speedily followed up, and . alibied a. severe jp.ss dqring a pursuit of ueapy miles Lieutenant Bait, Royal Artillery, with his troopers, ajid Captain Pve, Colonial Defence Force, with a having headed them pud kept them back un£il the infantry -came up. I regret ta say that in the pa and in ||ie-pursuit three or four women were killed unaypitlably, probably flying tti £he sipiihirity of dress ftf both llien and their hair being opt equally short, rendering it iinpossible to distinguish one fpoiq tjie other at any distance. The troops wpre recalled about sundown, and bivouacked round the eneiqy’s fate position.. At an early hour this niorping I (•aused tliligen t search to b.e made for the IcilVcd and wounded of the 1 enemy, .Their loss wa,s. ponsiderfible, amounting to 101 filled. Resides IS to 20 reported by patiye prisoners as bur|ed ip the pa, 27 wounded and taken prisoners, f taken Ip addition to this number the patjves were seen tq be engaged carrying off dead and wounded early in the morning at the niost distant point of pursuit, and fres.h tracks showed that they ha.d been similarly occupied during the night. I beg to bring to the special notice of the Lieutenant-General commanding the forces, the gallant bearing of Captain .paker, 18t}> Royal Irish, Deputy-Assist. g»t-Adjutant-General,,, during tl.p whole operations, but more especially oh the Occasion, already mentioned, of the fall o,f that brave and- lamented soldier, f>a ptain Ring. Also the determined bravery of Capt. Hereford, Waikato Militia, who was very severely wounded (loss of eye), and the gallantry of Lieut. Harrison, Waikato Militia, both of whom remained at the head of the sap nearly the whole time, keeping down the .fire of the enemy by the well directed balls of their own rifles. Likewise of Sergeant McKay, Royal Artillery, who, as before mentioned, under a galling fire threw, with the greatest precision and coolness, hand grenades from the sap and from the lodgment made in the outer work of the pneniy into his stronghold. The wounded received the greatest possible attention on the field from the senior medical officer, Dr. White, 65th regt. ; ably seconded by Assistant-Sur-geons Spenser, 18th Royal Irish ; lilies, 40th regiment ; and Hilston, R.K. ; until the arrival of Dr. Mouat, C.B , Y.C., the P.M.0., who left nothing undone in providing for their comfort, etc. I trust the conduct of the officers and men under my command during this |ong operation of three days and nights, without cover, and constantly under fire, may meet with the approval of the Commander of the Forces.

The casualties on our side—l 6 killed jmd 52 wounded—of which I enclose a return, are, I regret to say, severe. I beg to recommend to the favorable police of the Lieutenant General Commanding the Forces, the able services rendered by' the following officers, who so cordially assisted me in carrying out my operations —namely, Colonel Leslie, C. 8., commanding 40th Regiment. Major Blythe, 40th regt., commanding detached force on light flank. Captain Blewitt, 65th regt., commanding detached force on left flank. Captain Vereker, commanding detachment 12th regiment. Captain Inman, commanding detachment 18th Royal Irish. Captain Cay, commanding detachment 70th regiment. Captain Betty, R.A., commanding Royal Artillery. Lieutenant Rail, R.A., commanding mounted Royal Artillery troopers. Lieutenant Hurst, 12th regiment, acting as engineer. Lieut-Colonel Haul tain, commanding Waikato Militia, and Captains Jackson jmd Yon Tempsky, of the Forest Rangers. Dr. White, 65th regt, senior medical pfficer in charge of Field Force. I have further to claim the kind consideration of the Commander of the Forces, for the officers of my Staff, —viz., Captain Baker, 18th Royal Irish, D.A. A. General, and Captain the Hon. F. P, French, 40th regt., all afforded me the greatest help, both day and night, by their untiring zeal and energy in carrying out my orders. I beg to enclose a sketch of the enemy’s work, and our approaches to it, made by Lieutenant Hurst, 12th regt., also a rough sketch of the country between th|s apd the enemy’s position, showing the combined movement of the Force o,n the night of the 30th ultimo. I have, etc., George J. Caret, , Brig-General. The Assistant Military Secretary, Head-quarters,

Nominal Return of Killed and Wounded <>p the Troops at Orakau from March 31st to April 2nd, 1864. Driver William Buckingham, Royal Artillery, wounded in the neck,"slightly. Private Joseph Clarkson, Ist battalion 12th Regiment, left elbow, severely. Private James Bevill, Ist battalion 12tli Regiment, right shoulder, slightly. Captain James T. Ring, 2nd battalion 18th Regimont, penetrating gunshot wound of abdomen, mortally, since dead. Sergeant William Lawson, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, shot through the liver, dead. Private John Carroll, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, upper part of chest, dead. Private Michael Bellaine, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, shot through the head, dead, Private Thomas Traynor, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, shot through the back, dead. Private Hugh Cassidy, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, shot through the head, dead. Corporal Johnson, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, through the arm and chest, very sevsrely,

Drummer James Lyon, 2nd battalion IBth Regiment, left side of chest, severely. Lance-Corporal George Carroll, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment. right arm, severely. Private John Close, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, right arm slightly Private George Thomas, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, right thigh and face, severe, ly. Private Patrick Fay, 2nd batallion 18th Regiment, fape ( ball lodged ), dangerously. Private John O’Donnell, 2nd battalion 18tli Regiment, in the neck, dangerously. Private John Carlyle, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, left side of chest, severely. Private James Stanton, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, hi the back ( ball lodged ) dangerously. Private Thomas Hannon, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, in the chest, severely. Private Thomas Jenkins, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment, through the hand, very severely. Captain L; W; Fisher, 40th Regiment, in the back severely. Sergeant Hugh Duncan, 40th Regiment, through the head dead Private William Love, 40th Regiment, through the chest, dead. Sergeant William Gould, 40th Regiment, right shoulder, slightly. Corporal William Wilson, 40tli Regiment, left thigh severely. Private Charles Gibley, 40tli Regiment, through left arm, severely. Private Alfred Whitty, 40th Regiment, left arm, slightly. Private Thomas Brennan, 40th Regiment; right thigh, severely. Private Samuel Johnson, 40th Regiment, left thigh, ball lodged, severely. Private Martin O'Farrell, 40th Regiment, right shoulder severely. Private George Williams, 40th Regiment, right shoulder, severely. Private George Palmer, 40th Regiment, left arm fractured severely. Private John Ollinfon, 40th Regiment, right thigh, severely. Private George Hoare, 40th Regiment, right shoulder, slightly. Private James Sturgeon, 40th Regiment, through the parietes of chest and abdomen, severely. Private John Sidley, 40th Regiment, head slightly. Private James Shattoclc, 40th Regiment, lung, severely. Private Richard Graham, 40th Regiment, left thigh fractured, severely. Private James Cox, 40th Regiment, left shoulder, severely. Private Herbert Blake, 40th Regimeut, right hand, severely. Ensign Alfred Chayter, 65th Regiment, right side, severely. Lance-Corporal John Barnett, 65th Regiment, through the chest, dead. Drummer Robert Gilligan, 65th Regithrough the chest, dead. Private James Ford, 65th Regiment, back, ( ball lodged ), dangerously. Private William Meehan, 65th Regiment, back, severely. Private George Whitfield, 65th Regiment, back ( two bullets ), severely. Private Edward Malloy, 65th Regiment, groin, slightly. Private William Dwyer, 65tli Regiment, right arm, Blightly. Private Denis McGrath, 65th Regiment, left shoulder, slightly. Private Thomas Kennedy, 65th Rsgiment, forliead, slsghtly. Private Thonrcs Maskell, 70tli Regiment, left side of chest, dead.

Private George Courtney, 70th Regiment, left shoulder, slightly. Private Peter Pettit, 70th Regiment, right leg, slightly. Sergeant Richard Kendwick, Colonial Defence Corps, left knee, severely. Private William Coady, Colonial Defence Corps, left cemple- slightly. Private James Tully, Colonial Defence Corps, right thigh, lsiglitly. Sergeant William Taylor, Forest Rangers, upper part of chest, dead. Private Charles Coglilan. Forest Rangers, penetrating wound of addomen, mortally, since dead.

Corporal Armstong, Waikato Militia, chest, dead. Prieate William Molloy, Weikato Militia, left side of neck, dangerously. Private Joseph Worley, Waikato Militia, boto thighs, severely. Private John Leeky. Waikato Militia, head, dead. Cajtt. Hereford, Militia, left side of forehead, and through left eye, dangerously. Private John Lovett, Colonial Transport Corps, through the head, severely.

Private Daniel Callaghan, Colonial Transport Corps, right arm, severely. Private Preston, Colonial Transport Corps, right hand, sjiglitly.

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. •We have received a Gazette of April 6, by the Storm Bird. The following items are the most important of its contents : Robert Henry Forman, R.M., James Hector, M.D., and James Rattray, Esqs. are appointed a Commission to decide on claims made for the Government reward in connection with the phormium tenax. Hern-y Samuel Chapman Esq. is gazetted a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. John McGlashan Esq- is appointed Registrar of Deeds in Otago, and John Cuddy Esqr., Deputy Registrar. An official announcement is made of the birth of the Duke of Cornwall. The regulations are given for examining candidates for the civil service of India. Instructions are given that salutes are not to be exchanged between Forts in the Colonies aud Confederate vessels of war. The Secretary for the Colonies intimates that convicts will be sent to Western Australia only, and thither in not greater numbers than for the last few years, say between 000 and 600 annually. The P ft of Wanganui is defined, and a wharf therein constituted a legal quay. The Queen’s regulations respecting the wearing of foreign Orders and Medals are published. An Order in Council is published, ap pointing means for the preserving of health oil board Passenger ships. George Frederick Harris is appointed Deputy Registrar of births, deaths, and marriages for the District of Napier. A Report on the coal recently found at Kawakawa, Bay of Islands. The seam is described as thin and extending at least five miles. The coal burns freely, with

a bright flame and very little smoke,, leaving almost no residue. )' TendeiraL are invited-for English and;' New Soilm Wales coals, and for firewood.|j The appointment of John Rogan Esq.j; as Resident Magistrate is notified. i A Despatch is published, containing an account of the skirmish of the 11th ult. at Kaitake. The blockade of the Port of Tauranga is notified. A reward of JEIO is offered for the apprehension of Robert Piper, a deserter from the Curaooa. A list is given of new Money Order Offices in the United Kingdom. The resignation of W. C. Daldy, as Warden of the Marine Board is accepted. The Rev, Win. Hogg is notified as an officiating Presbyterian minister. The ba’a ice sheets of some intestate estates are given,

[tennis, but stimulate the absorbent.? to remove jail corrupt or worn-out substances. Thug have [Holloway’s Tills won their way to public estimation, which is obtainable and retainable alone by what is intrinsically good. The sigluificancy of these remarks will be appreciated jby thousands who took these Tills as a last J resource, and derived from them renovated [health after hope was almost abandoned.