THE WEST COAST CAMPAIGN.

West Coast Times, Issue 364, 22 November 1866, Page 2

THE WEST COAST CAMPAIGN.

GALLANT CONDUCT OF THE 18th EOYAL IRJSH

A STRONG PA TAKEN, AND FOUR VILLAGES BURNED.

The correspondent of the " Southern Cross" supplies fuller details of the recent proceedings at the front than have previously been received : — Camp Ketamarai (the Front), October 29. Just after arriving in cam]) here, after a most harassing march, and sharp engagement with the rebels at their pa at Keteoneata, I hasten to send you the particulars of our march towards the rebel position, and the success attending our efforts to cool down the rebellious spirit of the Hau Haus infesting the precincts of the bush in this portion of the district.

Orders were issued hist night for the field force, under command of Major Rocke, 18th Royal Irish, to march at two o'clock this morning. Major Rocke in command, we started towards the bush, and, after going about half a mile on the road, a drizzling rain set in, which rendered the ground very slippery. At about 4.30 a.m. we entered the bush, on a verynarrow track, after passing some places where look-out posts were fixed by the rebels, from which they could perceive the advance of troops towards their localities. Previous to entering the bush, and about daybreak, we came upon a fine drove of cattle convenient to a stockyard aud paddock. 1 firmly believe that there were upwards of 100 head of cattle in the drove, and many a wish was given that they would be in our way on return to our camp, but which wishes were not realised.

Previous to marching away, thirty sharpshooters went to the front belonging to the 18th. These men were to lead the whole division, and to act as sharpshooters ; and nobly they did their part when the trial came on. These men were followed by the Native Contingent ; then the Patea and Taranaki Rangers ; and next followed the main body of the 18th, according to the foregoing numbers. Two men from the Maori Contingent acted as guides, one of whom holds the rank of corporal, and a most daring, intelligent fellow he is. He kept a check on the other Native as to his safe guiding — he having come in lately from the rebels and surrendered.

When we entered the close track in the bush every one kept strict silence, and when getting into the iutricate part of the track word was sent to the rear to bring the Contingent to the front, as it wa? the Governor's wish that they should be there when the tug of war came on. However, when we got again on the move we marched along in single file — the sharpshooters of the 18th being in front — followed by the Rangers and dismounted cavalry men next the Contingent ; and then Captain Dawson's company, 18th Royal Irish. In a few minutes we came upon a strong pa, palisaded with huge timber, and very narrow for entrance. The 18th sharpshooters, under Ensign Pringle, rushed to the palisading with a cheer, followed by the Rangers and Wanganui Cavalry. The Contingent having made way for Captain Dawsou's company of the 18th, the whole dashed on over the palisading, when they were met by a severe volley from the rebels behind their stronghold, which was blockaded by huge trees. On went the 18th Royal Irish, with a cheer that none but Irishmen can give. Bang ! bang ! went the volleys, and away flew the rebels through their tracks and bush, while down came the rebel woodworks by the axemen of the 18th. Rebel huts aud whares were soon set fire to, while the rifle bullets were dealing terror to the Hau Haus as they flew through the bush in all directions, leaving the 11th, Patea Rangers, and the few cavalry in occupation of the pa, now levelled and in flames. There were four of the enemy found killed, besides several who were wounded, and escaped, bleeding from their wounds, towards the bush. I regret to state that trooper P. Hanley, of the Wanganui Cavalry, received a daDgerous wound in the left breast, the ball going out at the back. Great fears are entertained of his recovery. He received the bullet after scaling the palisading with the sharpshooters ot the 18th. The old Hau Hau that wounded Hanley was afterwards bayoneted by Private Hennigan, of Captain Dawson's company, 18th, who turned the rebel's rifle aside by his bayonet, aud then made him taste the value of the soldier's cold steel. When the rebels found that the 18th were in action they shouted out the same through the bush saying, " The hoia, the pakeha make the fight."

When we had cleared the pa and dismembered it of its fair proportions, we were guided on towards another rebel village, which we entered through another track. After doing so and waitiug for a little rest, tho village was set fire to. Not a human being could be seen iv it, and all tho occupiers had fled into +he thick of the bush. The Maori Contingent acted very smartly and usefully, but when the tug of war came, aud tin? ehoer for death and glory was given by the Royal Irish, they had to give way before thum, anil were completely out-distanced by the Irishmen in the rush to clear tho palisading and drive the rebels Ixiore them, which they did in tue m«^t gallant manner. We came back to eaiup through the bush by a most harrussing track, up almost perpendicular hills, now tripped up by supplejack, at other times pulled,

up by its aid — through swamps, gullies, i and wading rivers. We came upon several settlements in course of cultivation, and three villages, which we burned to the ground. I can't say if we are to have any more marches through the bush, but I can assure your readers that such harassing marches, without as much as a drain of rum on the road from midnight till noon, are not relished. The march through the bush, wading up to your middle through rivers, climbing by means of supplejack up steep hills, through a dense forest, fighting a de&perate foe, and getting several knockdowns by means of supplejack and slippery ground, over a country, back and forward, of a distance of twenty miles, without a man's breakfast or a taste of nourishment, is a practice not to be relished. We counted four dead bodies of rebels, besides a lot wounded, whose blood tracks were traced. We have bad one only of the Contingent wounded slightly, and private Hanley, mentioned herein, whose wound is of a dangerous nature. The two chaplains, the Rev Mr Collins and the Rev Mr M'Sweeney, ■were in the field, having left the camp at the same time. They followed us inch for inch, even to the very teeth of the rebel position. The Rev Mr M'Sweeney attended closely to poor Hanley, who is dangerously wounded. Three Hau Haus came in yesterday, and surrendered to the Governor. One of them assisted as guide to-day with us, in our harassing march towards the rebel neighborhood. I believe now that the rebels have been taught that the soldiers can be brought against them at any time when required, which they did not think could be done, for one of their chiefs told the Governor here that he had none of the Imperial forces to march into the field. I also believe that the ringing cheer of the 18th Rangers and cavalry this day, when scaling their palisading, will teach them a lesson not soon to be forgotten, j Major Rocke, 18th, was in command of the whole force : and every man here wishes to have him always at the ] head, for his coolness and judgment in ] action. , A bayonet belonging to the 18th j Royal Irish, and a bayonet scabbard belonging to the 57th Regiment, No. 480, were found in the rebel pa after it was occupied by the troops this mornThe Governor is still here, and Major M'Donnell is on tbe sick list, I understand.