BRYCE'S REDOUBT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume II, Issue 474, 8 December 1868, Page 2

BRYCE'S REDOUBT.

(From our own Correspondent.) Saturday, Dec. 5. Sleep is a thing almost vanished from such a camp as this, where everything; has to be done, —made, erected, &c, —-and where the enemy may appear at any moment, by night or by day. Although the blockhouse and the redoubt are in a very forward state, the delay in the completion of the former has resulted in much inconvenience and over-crowd-ing in the tents within the redoubt, and the guard (together with several men) have had to occupy a tent outside, thus being unnecessarily exposed to attack. The alarm last night was, it would appear, based upon a very slender foundation, but it served to show that the cavalry sentry at Bryce's, and the force here were up to their work and ready for any emergency. This morning, at parade, the names of all those who had come out as " substitutes" were taken down by the officer, together with the names of the "fall-backs" whom they represented. This move created some surprise and disgust, and it is rumoured that the militia authorities are going to "put the screw on," and force certain residents !in Wanganui to do the work in p^opria personce -, but it is probable your readers in.town know accurately the intentions of the authorities in this regard. The Rev. Mr Nicholls (Church of England) visited the camp. The virtual abandonment of Woodall's redoubt has not filled our j men with dismay, but it has created a considerable amount of disgust, whicli has been pretty freely expressed. This last ace of Whitmore's retreat policy appears to our unsophisticated vision to be simply suicidal. Bryce's redoubt (or, as ifc should be called, "Jones' redoubt") is now the actual front. On looking at the work done here during the past five days, I do not hesitate to say that both its quantity and quality reflect credit upon both officers and men. After dinner to-day, for example, the whole force was paraded, and Capt. JoDes, in his quiet and gentlemanly way, addressed the men. He said, he knew they had had a hard week's work of it, but there still remained much to be done, and there was urgent necessity for its being so far completed as to render unnecessary any work on Sunday. The men went to work with a will, and before darkness came on it was apparent that the men were both willing and able to do all that was required of ihem. The block-house was fully occupied by men, and by Tuesday everything will be, to use a nautical phrase, " ship-shape." A moderate quantity of rum and ale has arrived, and is served out once a day at a reasonable price, under the officer's inspection. The members of the militia are somewhat indignant in consequence of a vague complaint having been made at the Militia Office, to the effect that some of the settlers, around here had suffered from the presence of the force here! In other words, that some of our men had been taking liberties with the poultry and potatoes of the settlers. There is. I am sure, little, if any ground for this complaint, whici appears to have emanated from parties who value potatoes^£;id an aged duck above patriotism. The miKu^ are a highly^respectable body of nfen.'^Und frivolous complaints Uptm insufficient evidence come with very bad gr?ce from the settlers for whose protection our men risk their lives. SureVy the Colonial Government might provide us with proper cooking utensi\ 8 l t j s true that " God sent thesfood and the devil (Tito's father) tU cooks;" our cooks are capital fellows, but they have to contend with gre<s difficulties, and we are condemned to eternal boiled

meat and the miscellaneous and oily luxuries of the soup tureen—the " tureen" in this case being a superannuated metal pail of dilapidated appearance, probably rescued from some settler's back yard. I forgot to say that one gentleman connected with the banking interest has been promoted to act as a kind of barman, while another acts as cook. Such is life!

Sunday, Dec. 6. "Oh, day most calm, most bright!" as George Herbert wrote. I wonder whether he would have written so sweetly had he been a militiaman on Bryce's Mount. The Rev. Mr Stannard (Wesleyan) conducted divine service here this mornings, a large number of the men availing- themselves of this opportunity to worship the "God of Battles." The rev. gentleman's discourse was very appropriate to the occasion, and he referred to the obvious parallel between the warfare in which the force is engaged and the " good fight of faith" which it is every Christian's duty to carry on. The warlike character of the sermon had a curious effect upon some of our comrades, for during the afternoon a tendency to pugilism and pugnacity was very observable. The scrimmages were, however, of a very 'harmless description, and simply served to show that Englishmen are quite as ready to pitch into each other as they are to thrash rebellious Maoris ! A couple of undesirable individuals arrived this afternoon, as substitutes for two Wanganuians ; the feeling- of the whole camp is so strong- against the prolongation of this substitution farce, that Captain Jones refused to accept their services, and they had to return to Wanganui. I believe Captain Jones has communicated with the Militia authorities on the subject. He does not object to the proper use of the " substitute" privilege, but to its abuse. It is rumoured in camp that in the course of the week Captain- Jones will go out with a party to endeavour to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy, and may.possiby unearth that arch-rebel Titokowa.ru. Some skirmishing and ambuscade work would vary the monotony of Camp life. A party of Wanganui Volunteer Cavalry, under command of Cornet Ballance, passed this evening* j on their way to re-occupy Woodall's redoubt. This is a step in the rig-ht direction; but why was so important a position so hastily and unnecessarily evacuated ? Colonel McDonnell and few of his dusky friends also visited us to-day. All expressed surprise at our rapid erection of the redoubt, and approval of the whole of Captain Jones' arrangements for the defence of the position. Dr. Samuels was among our visitors. It is a shame that so large a number of men (100) as here should be left without proper medical and surgical attendance. In the event of an engagement men might, and would die from sheer neglect. There is not, I believe, even a bondage or a tourniquet in the caffip. Is this right ? Surely there are plenty of young surgeons who would volunteer for camp duty for very moderate remuneration. This should be promptly seen to.

Monday, Dec. 7. The kupa^as, under Colonel McDonnell have just passed on their way back, it is said, to McGrath's, as their rations would be stopped if they crossed the Kai Iwi; so these darkies speedily resolved to go "ri|?~it about face." I only give this rumour for what it is worth. Tie enemy is reported to be within two miles, of us. It is raining heavily, with strong breeze from the North West.