DESPERATE AFFAIR.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1505, 15 March 1861, Page 5

DESPERATE AFFAIR.

10 o'clock, p. m, I open my packet to send to you the latest information from the field.

This day, Tuesday, March 5, General Pratt and staff, with Colonel Warre, of the 571h Regiment (an Indian officer of great celebrity), rode to the front of No. 7 and 8 redoubts. Tbe enemy, during the General's stay, was very quiet, but on his leaving with his staff and orderlies, a few small vollies greeted his retirement. On our retuin to camp at Waitara, we heard the large guns roaring, with occasional volleys of musketry ; and the firing continued to increase until it partook of the character of a fierce encounter on both sides. The natives had become desperate by looking on the huge •* caterpillar " (as a critical writer designates our sap), wending its way slowly but surely up t o the. pah, No greater evidence of power can

be taught any savage nation than that of taking position after position hy the infalliable sap, which in a day or two must end in the total destruction- of the pah aud rifle pits, and above all give us a good position, fot we shall then have the enemy outflanked and enfiladed, but there will, lam afraid, be fearful havoc when onr attack is made On the Occasion I have just mentioned, the Waikatos mustered in great force, somewhere abont 1200 or 1400. They manned their rifle pits, and then, bellowing like wild bulls, about 30.) made an onslaught on the head of the sap, but.weve repulsed in gallant style by the .sap-guard, and the men from No- 8 redoubt. Their firing immediately spread like a tempest from rifle-pit to riflepit, until all was wreathed in flame and smoke. The 40th Regiment, and small detachment from others, nobly stood the fire of the largest force that at one time ha? made an onslaught upon our troops in New .Zealand. The guns under Lieut. M'Naughteu fired furiously and well, ploughing up tho edges of the enemy's rifle-pits ; and the yelling of these wild children of the soil was speedily cut short, for as they rushed to the head of the sap, a hundred rifles stopped their mad career; foiled they retired in the greatest disorder, dragging their dead and wounded with them, but they were well defended from being charged by their rifle-pits, whose fire was furious but precise A After an hour and a-half of bard fighting, the enemy was silenced. Our casualties are, one killed aud six wounded. The Maories have suffered very severely both in killed and wounded.

[From the "Nelson Examiner's" Correspondent.]

February 22, 1861. As H.M.S.S. Cordelia proceeds at once to Nel son for our December English mail, I can only send a brief account of affairs since last writing. The same inexplicable militpvy tactics are being persevered in, with the same disastrous results to ourselves ; for whilst General Pratt is obstinately persevering in his "sap" to a hill that will be of no use to him when he gels to it, the natives encroach upon us in every direction, assassinating, burning, plundering, and driving off cattle in broad day, and within sipht of our town garrison and outposts, with little or no molestation. True it is that armed parties have been once or twice sent out, but this is so. preceded by bugle calls, taken up at every post that the natives, apprized of the movements, clear off, and our soldiers and settlers can inflict no blow.

We complain of the military conduct, of. the war, and are grossly aspersed in consequence. You will see a letter in yesterday's News, signed •' W," commenting on an article in the Herald of the 9th, in which, after all our losses and bufferings, we are coolly referred to as " the business men of a little farming village, and experiencing and profiting by an extent of expenditure which the highest flights of their fancy never realized, while those settlers whose imagination revels in the the ugh t of compensation and the alluring picture of conquered land at a cheap rate, have no interest in ,a present termination of hostilities."

The writer of this letter is tolerably well known, for the same sentiments are uttered in high plaoes. But fortunately for truth, lie ignores the existence oi a certain public document referred to io the same number of the Herald, and signed by nearly 300 residents, in which the Governor is earnestly implored " to visit the settlement, and judge personally for himself of the state of affairs and take such, measures as to his Excellency may seem fit." It is not too much to state that the false tactics of the General is spreading the insurrection over the island^and it becomes absolutely necessary tbat the $ lorernor should interfere to avert so great a calamity. Several of oiir " friendly" natives have gone over. The wonder' is any remain. British valour bas exhibited itself in. several encounters with the natives, but is of no avail without strategy, and this our General has not au atom of.

Sickness is in. no way on the decrease, and the best proof that it arises from overcrowding is, that it has not extended to the troops iv the field. Our absent families at Nelson should ponder over this, and desist in their attempts to return until the present scourge has passed over. Two female passengers were attempted to be smuggled ashore from the brig Rita; one succeeded, but tbe otber was discovered in time, and has gone on to Sydney. The determination oi the military authorities to prevent any accession to our numbers cannot be condemned under the circumstances. The absentees should also bear in mind that the lines do not hold our population ; many families are compelled to dwell outside. Few families have escaped without illness, and the majority have to mourn the visitation of death.

[From tho Nelson Examiner's own Correspondent.] Feb. 28, 1861.

I seed this letter by a sailing vessel, though I much fear she may be some days reaching Nelson as the South-West, winds have set in during the last few days. My report of the war for your usual monthly continues to be of the most unfavorable character, but, under the present command, they cannot be otherwise. Major-General Pratt has beeu long enough in the country to understand the enemy he has to cope with ; but his obstinate adherence to a system which, at the end of six months, leaves us in a far worse position than he found us last August, gives us nothing to hope for from him.

Punch's humourous sketch yesterday, of na tives asking when it will be convenient to begin: burning the houses in the town, as the job is nearly completed outside, is literally .true, House burning is still going on, and will continue until none remain. Mr. Thomas King's is now in flames, and probably Mr. Chilman's on the adjoining section ; indeed, little is seen but blackened heaps to remind oae of the comfort and plenty that reigned around. So nearly completed is their work, that the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki tribes are expected to leave Waireka shortly. They came to murder burn, and plunder, and for two months have prosecuted their mission from Waireka-hill without the slightest attempt, and perhaps thought, on the part of tbe General, to interfere with them. The crops it should have been his aim to destroy, are well forward and will be placed out of harm's way, and the enemy who for two months patiently awaited our attack on one spot, will soon have to be sought for over a hundred miles of coast. The war is pro*' traded indefinitely, or 'until such time as the natives are disposed to cry out of it. Not oue decisive blow has been struck, and the few advantages gained over the enemy have uot been followed up. I understand that the General's plan of a southern campaign is to land troops at different points of the coast, as well as to attack from the town side. ;

The Tasmanian Mdid brought accounts yesterday, which transcend all previously received from Waitara. During the uight of the 26th,' the natives destroyed fifty yards of the General's "sap," and overturned the sap-rollers, which protect the working parties from the enemy's lire, into the river below. Not content with

this brilliant feat, they catoe half ,ug*tm"er maining sap, lit a large fire, gay© three cheers, and called out, "Grog, oh J" in ironical allusion•to the grog that is, served out^to<;th/j parties. All this occurred by bright rnponliglit, the moon haying- attained herfull dff Ui'e 7 2Dth, The sap is some twelve feet, wide, r by|^ight|p. '-•- nine deep, and is intersected hy numerous fr_verses, and gives barT'workAto hundreds,, qfj^, soldiers. All this is thrown away as regards; sthe natives, but. if it draw's attention to the Geueral who devised it, the men .jw^ngthltve laboured in vain. The construction. Df a isapc at all before a flitting enemy, with the whole I*'1 *' country open to him, cannot be justified ! j'*bufr«? the neglect to protect the work by night in f the ' presence of a watchful and agile 'eriernyf-is' '. bringing disgrace on bur arhis. * *''*' * :!! ,: I am truely glad to add that sickness'is';oti ! the decline with us j. the weather lias becWe;fJ some degress cooler, arid the Sugar-loaf;^yi.n.d !j which prevails during the summer mbnths,Ti!as t , again set in. It raises clouds of, dust, but jn.:, other respects must be conducive to. health. „;• -,■;.> A fata' accident occurred on .Sunday. after-.-,.! noon, to Mr. Chilman's eldest son, Richard {'•■•■ who was seized with a fit whilst ha tbingr in the Henui. Several lads were in the fiveiy and '^ could bave saved him but for his 'fctvuggleVA The Rifle Volunteers stationed ■ at! the Hentii? blockhouse turned out with great*' ! alac'rifjr I , : but' ! ' too late to save life. A '

The steamer is again in from W;aitara. ; Tb'.e A inglorious sap, is being protected, by]., a nejr,!'^ redoubt. There is no other he'.vs, from! head,./ quarters

March 7^p^f' After writing to you on the 28i\i ; ultfmb'/-by the Jane, which returned to the anchorageA-*for-some days owing to foul winds, I found' T-'W&tfA incorrect in stating that the, Sap rollers 'carried,*' J off hy the natives were tumbled' into i 'the 'fiVer.*^! The natives. bore theif. trophies up the^liilPthV' General is sapping! to, and lhroug^.' , kn|jap|^r^,^ tufe in the pah palisade, .cut for, the .,'purppVe'j- '^ they are still exkbited to mortify .pui*. men/^^r, '„„•, . Yes'.e.rday we. rec.ejved, vague accounts;, o^uv^xu hand to hand. fight be.tween.the working<;partiießt'f in the sap, ond an attacking body. Of AnativeSf J,-; terminating in a retire .to ..the nearest: redoubt,™' whether from beingrepulsedj or to enable*- the*'* artillery to-open out, is' not accurately'-'knowry-;^ Partioulars may be received in time *fof ; thb^ ! '' steamer Airedale, though doubtful, .as th^ w weather is "not ! favourable for tlie Tiist_aiiian' v ' Maid to leave .the river: "' : ' ' '' A ''"""']!'.?«' 7, Our loss of life from aymdable causes isheyer;^ to have an end. Early on ,the| morning qf.in-gAj 3rd inslaut, a party of young men, armed,' !were .,' surprised peach * gathering- fri^aptaitt^Eing's ' orchard at Bro.iklandsj by thirty or forty native.J and Edward Messenger killed,' and Willidm-A^ Smart wounded. The' party stood theft grouha/-' manfully, killing Ohe'hative, 'and from'the' coyer 'ff around protecting the body of tii ci r f fnend^uiitU,' J aid reached them, for whic.h they had clefac'e,!.'"' two or three. of (heir number.. .'The. Fort^Pjer^^ bert natives were first on, the, ground,, ;.foj.low.ed {lil by reserves of the military settlers; v- .v^itli.:'; one exception, the party werecall members/ iojf.y* the, Taranaki Rifle Volunteers^ ahd the deceased if* was the crack shot of ihe corps. Young, Smart,;*, it is thought! may recover,- though tlie .buffet-*,**'' which entered at the back, cannot; -he •tracfedi •'* Messenger was shot dead. The i nati vie -filled'^ wore the V.R. badge, hut it is stated he is* ; _'' ! ' J Waitotara native, and that his party came up well supplied withbadgeSA i.i->rV"tvhsnqmX

The Volunteers.were.g'uillylQfvgreat indiscretion, armed, though they > were, and. strongj-as

their party was;: but what words. caivexpress^j our abhoredce of the system that allows iofsdchrr a state of things month after month-'''' For eight .-■*• weeks the! southern natives^ haveA'held lundis*-.* -r tuthed occupation of Waireka Hill/within^'fdnr ?; ! miles .of town, bn the-riiain'roadi iuV'the open7 a ' and in the heart of our i_»6st thriving, coup try' | district. They gave, due uotice they%.ere < co^-' I irigto murder and plunder, and theyhavd'suc-' ,{ ceeded even beyond their own expectations;,... Had they been routed. from' Wtiiieka^ Cracroft proposed) and from Ratapihipihi, their armed parties could hot have existed itr'Ou'r forest without^ defensible point 6f ren'de-Vohs* s^ to, fall back upon. ; Nqtjonlylfli'aye tb.ey beenlfeff' '** alotie tberej but unworthy inea\fs.are.^ to avoid, a meeting -with 'tlien_.'jat.''aily' oflicers in command of the usiial, escprteAajrQ A under orders not to deviate from the ,djrectlina, J |!' of road. The last escort to Om , i.ta,;,,was / ' :iJ . despatched from town a day in advance to dodge the natives..; Houses are still being jburnt, .aajfc cattle driven away, without— any ! ,though.t ; ,:Qf; j r} cheeking them ; and where there has beem a.;*' departure from this rule, under the provocatioHA of assassination or something unusual, the;'~* turning out has been- thoroughly announced*?- 1 by the bugle, and the ostensible object /de^'-i defeated. ' " ! *■"'-■ '■'-'■■•■" -

During the night of the sth, Mr. Sharlaiid's ; , r * private residence, in the suburban district •wasVv gutted and plundered by natives. The house 'j^^ quite new, and with offices and outbuildih'gs ;f\ occupies a large space, of .ground. It is only', -, 920 yards from Fort Murray < Ls^st evening,,^ lights having been observed about the premises;;;, the Fort Murray garrison fired a volley,. whichi A had the effect of dispersing the marauders.: AnAi escort of Volunteers has just returned with several cart loads of effects.' The 'firing; last evening was good j as several bullets en tered the -' '** outer walls of tlie house.: 'the durnage- dbheA* by the natives is not so" greatAas expected ' ! - J Yesterday, Mr. Hulke's sheep 'we^Cdriyteh'-frpM;"' the Hua. These are only a few occtirrepce^or; : , u the week, and uutil secret expeditions ar*.^ Started throughout the country,!tbe- natives can carry ou their marauding cose t) the towUyWJtliAs comparative saftety to themselres. It is sad to write so dispondingly of the war as one approaches the anniversary; of the battle, of Waireka. A 'second .dreary : win :^r^f^vj^A " before us, with .little the -hopej'^ha'^gdsitij^*;-;--us through the first. 'our feoliiiigs uiiyi.bei " , gathered, from the memorial, we addressedto A the Governor on the unsatisfactory way in which A; the war is conducted,. We did 'not. -%sk him'toAv

accept our. version, but ip come and| judge for ; himself. The" Governor knows all however *, Ke

could not help 149 by coming but he ;espress|Si-A. * deep sympathy, and it was only, then .very saji#£ A guine who looked for more fromhis.Ex^ellepJßyjffoVA The memorial Will serve its purpose. i;Res,tricted(^iA as we ore by martial law, nearly> every/i_sa_.\i« A doing military duty, it is uot. possible Mthaii#ai#" '■ can speak out as we bave unheard^ or-to 116 A A purpose. To have done more might have,been^A termed mutiny. Although theGoyenwr ' 'didA.A> not think it expedient to visit us', the Viotoria* A on the sth, his private secretary, Captaitt. A Steward, and. Colonel Warre, C.B.,Afs7tb«R6!;:U'!vA ment, a distinguished officer. Both arom|*the%v

camp-. ~~- '**.';." v It is just announced that the GoVern_r'fia'8 r A recommended an increase of pay for the*MiIUi«JVAA and Volunteers, with clothing./ The annb^i^AA ment is most welcome.'; 'The pay js 'ylieu6eS6iM'^^. to be for sergfea_t£?fepls6raito^ 3s. 6d.,35., and 2s. 0d iiN^^P^aA^i . : March 8.-The Aireddl-3 'is ]io&Sio^m iio further, news, attfiiftr*^ still detaina:the^^^ktt :Mai|^^U||^g