HUIRANGI REDOUBT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1506, 19 March 1861, Page 5

HUIRANGI REDOUBT.

FROM THE TARANAKI HERALD's CORRESPONDENT,

Saturday, Feb. 16. — About two o'clock this morning the Maories, anxious to make some return for the nightly shells sent them, fired a blunderbus (their largest piece of ordinance) on No. 7 redoubt. An 8-inch shell from the fort was the immediate acknowledgement. At 5 a.m. a single sap was commenced at the advanced position, and will be carried in. a zigzag line to Hapurona's pa: The working party each day will be told off in three divisions — two diri sions are thrown out as skirmishers toprotec*

the one that is -working— the skirmishers in their turu relieving the men in the trenches. Firing was kept up more or less- throughout the day but the wily natives can fire on our men without showing themselves It may be truly said that we are contending with a iuvisible enemy. Sunday, Feb. 17. — We had a very heavy fall of rain all night, which continues this morning; the sentries have neither cover nor change of clothing. The troops went to tkeir sap work as usual, but made only small progress, for the heavy rain obliged them to " refrain from work on the Sabbath," and they returned half drenched. The Maories are as active as ever, and squibbing at No. 7 redoubt from all points. Monday, Feb. 18. — The enemy commenced firing very early this morning. The sap, which seems a source of great annoyance to them, is steadily progressing. The natives pay great attention to the workmen and coverers, and are as lavish of their ammunition as if they possessed inexhaustible magazines. Sharpshooters of the 40th are chosen out, and stand behind their parapets all day watching every opportunity of a shot at the enemy. Every time a shot is thrown the Datives, set up a howl of defiance, followed by such challenges as " Come on Pakeha !" "Come on, soldier — come on !" Most of what they say being, in Maori is lost to us, but the tone of their voices contains as much virulent abuse and contempt of power as words could express. They hare several blowing hums, by means of which they mimic our bugle sounds. These horns are heard both day and night, and it is probable that they have certain established calls, which they all understand and adopt on particular occasions. The General and Staff came up from Waitara, and a portion of the valley was reconnoitered by the Deputy Adju-tant-General and Colonel Mould.

Tuesday, Feb. 19.— Two very laige native graves were found to-day by the 40th, a little to the rear of No. 7 redoubt. One of these appeared to be a couple of months old, but the other appeared to be new. A small party of men, anxious to ascertain the number it contained, attempted to uncover a portion of the grave, but for obvious reasons they were obliged to desist. Enough was seen, however, to prove the occupants of the grave— not less than thirty — fell in battle, probably on the 23rd January for tbey were wraped in blankets, shawls, mats, &c. There were also thiee or four single graves in the vicinity of the large one ; these may con. tain the remains of distinguished men, or of men who were picked up from time to time after the action. The natives kept up a brisk fire while the troops were about the graves.

Wednesday, Feb. 20. — The works were again interrupted to-day by constant rain. The natives kept us mindful of their presence, fire, a great many little volleys and odd shots in a desultory way. They receive a shell from No. 6 redoubt every night, and No. 7 throws a few at intervals every day. Thursday, Feb. 21. — About noon to-day the General and Staff arrived from Waitara, and visited the advanced position. At the same hour a partyjof natives fired from the opposite bank of the river upon the outpost sentries at Matarikoriko, but without hitting them. A detachmeut, under Lieut. Bates, 65th Rcgt, hastened out from the stockade to reinforce the sentries. They saw a few straggling Maories, and a few minutes' brisk firing ensued ; but the enemy fled, and as the ground afforded them good cover, it is not likely that they sustained any loss. It is believed that that they were on a pig-hunting excursion, but seeing the. sentries, they could not resist the opportunity of having a shot at them.

Fbiday, Feb. 22. — To*day the skirmishers came upon and took possession of a number of the enemy's rifle pits situated on the brink of of a deep gully bordering the Waitara Valley. Though not extensive, these defences were very ingeniously constructed, and in a position to intercept the advance of an enemy on the pah by the left flank. The natives occupied and fired from them so late as yesterday, but the cobovn mortars, which play on the enemy daily from the head of the sap, were found too accurate in range for the natives to retain longer possession of the pits. There was a good deal of firing during the day, but no casualty. Satubday, Feb. 23. — When the troops ad« vanced to their work this morning a lively fire was opened on them by the natives, but, as they would not run the risk of standing up to take aim, their fire did no injury to our men, and was soon silenced by that of the coverers, aided by a few shells thrown from the redoubt. We ave now getting so close that the Maories dave not show themselves for an instant out of their pits, and they have fired but very little during the day — just a (ew shots as if to keep up appearances, whilst, perhaps, they are fortifying themselves in some new position , for they must perceive that they will be very soon obliged to abandon their present quarters. Sunday, Feb. 24. — To-day the natives offered very determined, but vain resistance to the pro gress of the sap ; they kept up a slow but con. stant fire on the troops all day, though a great quantity of shell was thrown with good precision, and the skirmishers and coverers were vigilant and watchful. The Maories directed a good deal of their fire on a little party of the Royal Artillery, who were shelling them from two cohorn mortars at the head of the sap, and I am sorry to say that another of this most valuable corps is for the present lost to us — a bombadier — whilst working the mortars, having received a very severe wound through the thigh. A man of the 12th, who was covering the working parties in the pap, was also severely wounded, the ball (said to be one of our rifle bullets) having passed round by the back from the right to the left shoulder. At the close of the day several volleys were fired on the men whilst retiring from the field, but I am glad to say we have not sustained further injury.

Monday, Feu. 25. — Notwithstanding the large amount of shell that is every day showered upon them the natives still keep possession of, and fire from the pits near the pa. The fire of our rifles keeps that of the enemy in check, but it is hard to believe that it does much execution amongst them, as they will oh 'no account show themsehes above their pits. Owing to the short range, and the high positions of the enemy, their fire is beginning to tell upon us, for we had another casually to-day— a man of the 40th wounded in the head. The Maories frequently try what chance they would have above giouiul by holding up a figure made to resemble a native. The moment it appears a nurabei of bullets are poured upon it by the skirmishers, who are ever ready to fire at any object that appears above the pits, I fear this is too often a strategein of the enemy to procure lead, but then it is hard to judge at the moment whether the object is a Maori or a dupe, as it is not often shown in the same place. The sap, which has been hitherto single, was commenced with double breastworks this morning. -„;.; .

Tuesday, Fkm. 26. — Another casualty on our side to day. A man of the 571b, whilst skirmishing, was dangerously wounded in the breast. The enemy hove dug; a new line' of pits on a hill to the right of Hapurona's 1 pa. %t is cut off from the other hills by' several gullies, and, though bare of cover, it is Very

difficult of ascent. The Maories have not yet fired. many shots. from it.

Wednesday, Feb. 27.— At half-past 10 o'clock last night the attention of the sentries was attracted by a wild yell from the natives, and the troops of No. 6 aud 7 redoubts immediately stood to arms expecting an attack. A fire was soon afterwards seen lighting up the advanced end of the sap, and we rightly conjectured that the Maories had entered it and set fire to some of the gabions. Upon advano ing to the work this morning we found that the sap-rolls, which had been used to protect the head of the sap, had been removed from their place and deposited inside Hapurona's pa, just behind the front entrance. The gabions which lined the sides and traverses of the double part of the sap were pulled down, and the natives, after shaking the earth out of them, placed them close together and kindled them into a fire that illumined the whole country. The cunning enemy made no. noise until they had, so far accomplished their work as to ensure success, and they yelled exultingly over their mischievous performances. A guu loaded with grape was discharged at them from No. 7 redoubt, and immediately after a volley was fired by the 40th. AH this day was taken up in repairing the damage done by the enemy last night! They fired briskly on our men this morning, but the skirmishers soon obliged them to slaken and we suffered no casualty.

Thursday, Feb. 28.— About half-past 8 o'clock last night a party of Maories spvead themselves along the country, from Hapurona's pa to the right of No. 7 redoubt, and commenced firing their muskets like a line or skirmishers. From No. 6 redoubt we could see the flashes along the open ground as far as the pa, and we heard also a great many shots in the right of the Huirangi bush. The gun from.No. 7 redoubt played on them, and the Maories ceased firing after keeping it up smaitly for half an hour. As they were at long distances their objectmay have been toharrass thetroops,or to cause diversion whilst their compatriots were bent on some foraging excursion. Another redoubt is being constructed to-day at the advanced end of the sap : it was commenced at 4 a.m. and will be completed by sunset. As its object is to protect the sap work, a strong guard will be stationed in it till the pa is taken, which must very soon be the case, for the Moaries cannot long hold out uuder the perpetual annoyance they receire from this position, and they will soon secure their safety by flight. A blood- stained shirt and a knife were found at the sap this morning, from which it is inferred that the native scouts who were out last night did not return without loss.