THE BATTLE OF WAIREKA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1424, 1 May 1860, Page 3

THE BATTLE OF WAIREKA.

We now come to the great success of the War. A success of incalculable result for good ; but one which was nearly being turned into a most disastrous defeat, the cause of which it is to be hoped will be searchingly enquired into by the Authorities.

In order tj rescue the families shut tip in the Rev. Mr Bro vn's house, it was determined, on Wednesday the 28 March, t > send out an expedition consisting of 110 soldiers under Colonel Murray, 150 volunteers and Militia led by Captains Atkinson, Stapp, and Brown and 2j blue jackets under Lieut. Blake of the Niger. Before the departure of the volunteers they were drawn up and addressed by the Governor in a few cheering words on the nature of their duties, and the hope? he placed on their giving a pood account of themselves. The alarm signal was given by the firing of two guns from Maryland Hill, which brought all the inhabit ants into town.

To the Volunteers and Militia was assigned the post alike of danger and of honour. They moved along the beach, for the purpose of turning the fl-ink of the maories and passing by their rear unperceived to the house of Mr. Brown, which is situated about six miles Iro n the town and a mile and a qmrter from tha sen, and can be reached either hy the road which runs about a mile from the coast, or by the sea beach. The regulars and naval brigade were to form a support at a point on the main i\ud, about two miles and a half short of the hmse of Mr. Brown and three quarters of a mile short of the Omata stockade in order, we suppose, to distract the atteution of the natives and support the homeward movement of the Volunteers. When, however, the civilians arrived at tbe Herekawe stream, (1G) which passes by the stockade and enters the sea a mile from it, the maories were perceived occupying the land near the mouth of the two Waireka stream 0 , one of which passes by the foot of the ridge where the pah was formed. The natives were aware of the approach of the enemy, and gathered to oppose their passage ; and then began a battle, the obstinate, and the most successful on the side of the English that has taken place siuce the British occupation of these iilands.

It is difficult to convey an accir ite account of the details of along skirmish in a locality unknown to the reader ; but we arc able to lemedy the difficulty as much as it is possible to do, by drawing largely on an account published in the Wanganui Chronicle, and written by a Volunteer who was engaged under Capt. Atkinson.

Tbe ground where the action took place, and indeed almost the whole line of the Coast from Taranaki, rises abruptly from the shore to a height of above 200 feet, and is broken up by gullies running down to the sea, having their sides and bottom for the most part covered with flax bushes and fern, with occasionally small patches of bush. The Maories had lately constructed a fortified pa on the side of the high road, about six miles from the shore. The fla upland around it consists chiefly of grass paddocks fenced with furze or posts and rail?. About half a mile nearer the town than, the pa the road passes the Waireka, a small stream flowing through a deep gully covered with bush at that place, and for about half a mile towards the sea, the bush then giving place to ferns and grass. Near its mouth there is an isolated sand hill, past one side of which it flows, the other side baing protected by a gully, down which the stream may at one time have passed. Abont «. quarter of a mile nearer Taranaki another gully runs down to the sea, like the Waireka covered with bush at its head aud open near the 6ea, the bottom being considerably broader than that of the Waireka ravine. This we may call the northern gully. It was in these ravines and on the flats above that the engagement tuok place,

As before observed, on reaching the Ilerekawe stream, at about 3 p.m. the Volunteers were observed from their pa by the Maeries who immediately came out, quite naked, in beautifully exteuded order towards the shore, and attacked the second company of the volunteers under Captains Atkinson and Stapp, who took up a position on the flat upland to the south of the Waireka, and remained there till their exposure to a fire from the natives in the bush in the upper part of the Waireka gully compelled them to withdraw to the sand hili at the mouth of that stream. Meanwhile, tbe other company of volunteers, under Lieut. Hirst, with the reserve under Capt. Brow.i, had fiom the high ground between the two gullies, opened a fire on the enemy in the Waireka bush, to relieve their companions on the south side, and tliis fire thoy continued until the Naval Brigade, which had been sent on in advance came up, and opened fire on the same natives, who were driven back towards their pa. IJere Lieut. Blake was wounded in the chest, from which he has since been lying in a dangerous state. Lieut. Hirst was then withdrawn to the edge of the open part of tbe gully, from which some of the enemy, covered by dumps of fern and flax, were filing at tbe positions on either side of them. After maintaining this post for some time he went over to a farm house (Jury's) on the south side of the Waireka, to which Captain Stapp had taken the wounded. The militia under Capt. Brown, armed only with muskets, being thus left alone between the two gullies, were harrassed by a heavy fire from the rifles and fowling pieces of the Maories. Capt. Atkinson's riflemen were put in requisition to keep the communic ition open between Jury's house and the militia ; and Lieut. Col. Murray, whose troops halted a liule to the northern side of the north gully, sent over Lieut. Urquhart with a section of the light company of the 63th, to Capt. Brown's relief. These soldiers did good service, but were very soon recalled by the commander to the north side of the ravine, in order to defeat a movement of the natives, who came down the gully in great force in order to cut off the com. munication with the main body under Lieut. Col. Murray. They had a fire poured into them from both sides, and met with a heavy ■loss ; but this advantage bad scarcely been gained when Lieut Urquhart was withdrawn, iui account it is said of a want of ammunition, and the whole of the military retired from the scene of actiou and marched baofc to town.

Some of the Volunteer reserve, under Capt. Browu, who beard the recall, started to follow

likewise, but were called back to their position. Meanwhile in accordance with a requisition from his Excellency, Capt. Cracroft, of the Niger, had disembarked nuother brigade of his men, about sixty strong 1 , for the temporary defence of the town. At this time an express was coming in from Colonel Murray for reinforcement, stating that his force was to small too advance, and re treat would be disastrous. Capt. Cracroft was immediately called on to furnish the force, and he as promptly replied by putting himself at the head of 60 of his tars, aud with a 2tb. rocket tube, and a fall supply of ammunition, was within an hour on the scene of action. His arrival was most opportune ; about half an hour before the troops were called off. A r ter survey ing from an elevation the position of both friend i and foe he sent to inform the Colonel of Hswhere}ab >uts, and of his determination to march direct on t' e enemy's strong hold — the pi. Here he drew up his sin ill force and adrcssed a few stirring words to them admonishing them | to maintain the reputation of British sailors. He then pointed to the pa on the opposite hill where the rebellious fl ig was fl uniting, re minded them that it was held by rebels against their Queen, who had already "wounded their Ist lie itenant and killed their shipmate, besides many of their fellow countrymen. He then told them he proposed leading them to that pa j for revenge, aid asked if they were ready to go. A prompt reply ran along the line, " We'll go, sir." He then proclaimed £10 reward to the mau who hauls that flag of rebellion down. Here an impatient movement showed that every one thought that he would surely gain that reward. They now advanced, though it was late (5 3) p.m.), taking quite a different route to that occupied by the Colonel, but the most direct to the pa: arrived within 800 yards, they resolved to try the effect of a rocket, dragged so far with |so much labour, and oor 6 were fired will) pood precision, some falling into the stronghold. Nevertheless, the enemy shewed utt.*r disregard of that form of attack, and Captain Cracroft, r.s well as lais men showed impatience of such l;ns shot practice, especially as the shades of night were closing over them. The rocket w;\s how set aside, a small force told off to protect it, tin men fell in, and the order to advance w is given. At this moment C:ipt. Cracroft's aide-:lec:unp arrived breathless from Colonel M nray to s.iy that he the Colonel was about to retreat on the town, and would advise him the Captain, to do the same, to which the latter was m .'rely ob served to soKloq'iise, " I purpose seeing the interior of that pa first." They ware now within 100 yards of the position, the ro.ul to it was very zig-zag 1 and uneven, it lay across a portion of the ravine before adverted to, here too it wa* very deep and densely wooded on both sidas of the road, it required some courage to pass that ravine at that hour, where the enemy was known to lurk all da}', dealing out death and wounds— but "fartuna, favel f.trlibui" the movement was mite unexpected, and in the darkness unobserved. Afier ascending this valley, the road takes a sudden bend and disclose 3 the pa on the right side of the road, a tall gorse hedge on the left. Here the enemy, evidently sur prised, collected themselves on the load. Puzz'el to decide whether the moving figures were the residue of their m m returning from the ravine, or an enemy they beheld. Steadily the email force advanced, the Captain at the head, without in the least betraying themselves, till a snd leu movement of the enemy showed their discrimination, now only about 00 yards off. The natives biavely returned the fire", aud two men of Cap(. Cracrofl's sm ill force, fell, severely wounded : in a moment they were mixed in mortal combat, of the enemy* som3 bounded through the hedge, some along the road, others into the pa, in an instant not a maori was visible on the road, save the dead and dying. In the pa, however, they showed a resolute front, and not having time to load, used their tomahawk's a poor weapon against rifles and bayonets. The sailors now engaged fought, irri sistibly, rushed at the palings and over; Win. Ogden capturing the much coveted flag. At the word " charge" a chec was given, volly fired, and a rush made with the bayonet. The enemy tried to escape and did so to a great extent, but a great many were killed, and then, as promptly as he inarched up, the Captain collected bis men, and carrying their four wounded, returned to town supposing that the Volunteers and Militia had previously retreated with the troops. Subsequent to the retreat of the troops and prior to the return to town of Captain Cracroft's party, the m loris came down the fifully a second time, and tbe militia having retired to Jury's house, they attacked the small party of about 30 volunteers, under Captain Atkinson, who, with eight men of the 65th under corporal Kelly were exposed till it became dark, or for about an hour and a half, to a sharp fire from three sides of their position on the sand hill. Captain Stapp and Captain Brown immediately began to protect Jury's house by breast works made of stacks and fruze fences, and it was while engaged in this, not long before sunset, that Captain Cracroft with the Naval Brigade gallantly attacked and took the Waireka pa. The only part of the pa visible from Jury's house was the flag-stuff, and the flag was just seen to disappear, it was concluded that the Naval Brigade had took it ; but as there was no certainty that it was held and the ammunition was nearly exhausted, it was determined that if a retreat could not be effected with the wounded after dark, the position must be maintained. After the moon set, the whole force retreated to the Omata stockade, where they left the two most severely wounded, one of whom Millard, a marine, is since dead, and then came to town, which they reached ab ut midnight, or six hours after the return of of tbe military. On the return of tbe military great apprehensions were felt in the town, for the safety of the volunteers, and on the arrival of the sailors at eight o'clock or about two hours afterwards, the excitement became intense. They were believed to be surrounded injury's house, and indeed it was reported that they had been captured. For three hours no troops were sent out to their relief. It was not until 1 1 ./ clock that a volunteer force of soldiers, blue, jackets, and militia set off, but had not long gone when great cheering announced that the forces had met each other. Uight about face was the order given, and the whole reached town amidst the roars of applause that greeted them on all sides. It was calculated that at least 50 to 00 natives were shot—indeed it was difficult to say how many, as in many places in ravines and gullies they were lying thick. At least thirty, besides wounded in the field, and twenty besides wounded in the storming of the pa. The names of no less than 17 chiefs are published &b having been amongst the killed, — fourteen cartloads of dead were carried off the field and Inured by the natives on the following day. The rifles toll upon them and throughout the engagemeut good practice was made upon the dark foe, one chief in a led jacket, conspicous lor his energy, being brought down at 700 yards, and the gashed bodies of the m3n dead lying, in the hospital gave sternness and determination to each man engaged agaiust them. The casualties on our side are —

Naval Biucude.— Lieut. Blake, wounded se-

verely; I corporalof m.iri ies killed, 3 bluejacket wounded.

05m Regi.mf.n-j-. — Two soldi rs wounded

Tara^aki itiFr.E.i. — liietUen.i'il Haimncrtmi wounded, Privates, F. Riwson, do., J. Hawkeu, do;, XV. Messenger, do. P. Inch, do.

Militia. — Sergeant Fahey, killed ; W. Oliver, wounded ; J. Clinio, do ; W. Bayl^y, do. And thus ended t!ic b iltle of W.iirek.i. Many were the narrow escapes experienced |.y the lii/I ;s, some li.ul balls lliiou.^h tlieir clothes,another had his bayonet bent double by a ball. D.iriiijj'the whole eiijjai'eme-it tlie bullets from the enemy ware flying like hail. The natives wore at first supposed to be about 500 ang.i<»e:{, >i h reinforcements in tbaii re.ir th.it would have brought them up to 1003 men, on the lollovino- day; but it is now kno.vn that le.-3 than tO.l were actually en^a^-jd, and the reserve would not number more than 200. The forces on our side were —

6.3 th IlEGiMtsHr. — Lieutenant Col. Murray Lieut. Urqubart, Lieut. Whitbrea !. 100 ratik and file.

Rotal ARTirxEHY.— Lieut. McNaug-htjn, 10 men.

Naval Brigade. — Lieut. B!ake, Dr. Lawrenson, Mr. Theobald, 25 blue jackets.

Naval Brigade — Captain Cracroft, Lieut Villiers, Dr. Patrick. Mr. Smytli, Mr. Gassiott, Mr Karslake, 54 bluejackets and marines. Militia — Senior Captain C. Brown, Captain and Adjutant Stapp, Lieut. MolCsehney, Li^ut. McKollar, Lieut Armstrong, E isi<jn Messenger, 50 men.

Volunteer Rifles.— No. 1 Company— First L'eut. Hirst, Second Lieut. Webster, 50 me.i. NY. 2 Company — Captain H. A, Atkinson, First Lieut. C. Hanunerton, $ecjur] Lieut. Jbnas, 50

men

We oujyht not to omit mentioning that a few of the friendly natives accompanied the volunteers, and one of them (rloera of Muluro) shot two nUives dead. The wounded ware all brought into town,

The "War Correspondent" of the Nehnn Kxxmbier, makes the following comment, a la Russell, on the withdrawal cf the troops-.— I almost fear that my tale will not be believed so m sre and more astoun ling doss it seem to me that an English offuer should dcrart a party of men half trained, under fire for the first time knowing thorn to be without fooJ, without amunition, and cut off from succour by a horde of savage? three tim*? their number. I must have doubted it myself on less evidence than I have had, and I expect to be doubtel, but it was an. he orders wore explicit :— « Retire by daylight ; " and the chief of the party wante.l the biind eye of out- country's great hero, who could not sea the signal tnat woull brin S a blot on her renown. When regulars and civilians are under one command, can it be that the ordar " Bring off your men " means bring off your trained men and leave the others to bring themselves and their woundel off? Can it be that the officer to whom all, even the Queen's representative, are subject for the time being, has no duties co-relative to his arbitary powers ; that the system which makes civilians all soldiers as to their duty to him, makes them all cattle as as to his duty to them ? Sir, I am indulging in no rhetorical flourish. The facts can be too well substantiated. The gallant captains, subalterns, and mea of the 65th feel, I doubt not in no way differently from the settlers of New Plymouth.