BATTLE OF KOHIPOA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1901, 30 July 1863, Page 2

BATTLE OF KOHIPOA.

(Fiona a correspondent of the New Zealander.) Pokeno, July 17, 1863. We had a battle to-day on the Kohiroa land, a gallant affair, which ended in the discomfiture and rout of the Waikato braves. A body of natives having 1 been observed by Colonel Aus,tin, of the 14th Kegiment, in the neigbourhood of bis encampment, this morning, that officer moved out promptly against them, with that portion of the 14tb Kept, under his command. Detacbments of the 12ih and 70th regiments which had moved from the redoubt at nine o'clock, shortly afterwards reached the camp at Kohirua. - - The distance from the Mangatawhiri creek to the Queen's Redoubt is about one mile. The new camp of Kohiroa is on the opposite side of the stream, about half-a-mile down. The General accompanied the troops; and while going down the river in a boat, received notice from Colonel Austin that the Maories were advancing near to the camp. He then immediately pushed on for tbe leading column, leaving orders for the detachments of the 70th and 12th to follow. The vanguard of the enemy was scarcely mora than half a mile from the camp, in a straight line, though about two miles by the track, which runs along a rMge of hills. The natives retired about two miles, closely followed by our troops, wheu they came te a stand at a place where they bad formed some rifle pits. The first shots were fired by the Maoris at half-past eleven o'clock, and at twenty minutes to twelve the 14th opened fire. The detachment of the 12th having 1 joined them, they both, at twelve o'clock, charged down one steep hill and up the opposite ascent, on which the enemy were congregated, in 'great force, under a sharp and continuous fire. On rising the ridge of this hill, the lire was tbe hottest in this day's engagement; but the enemy being galhnlly charged at the point of the bayonet, took to fight, some across the Wangamarino, and some to hide in the neighboring swamps. The firing ceased at half- past twelve o'clock. The greatest number of dead was found in one of these swamps iato which the enemy had been driven, fifteen bodies being drawn out after the fight was over. Twenty-one bodies were found, and many others lie dead that we know not of, I hare no doubt, as the search was not continued long after the firing had ceased, all the troops returneJ to the camp. General Cameron himself led the charge, about twenty yards in advance. He was closely followed by Major McNeil], Colonel Gamble, and Aide-de-camp St Hill. The. 70th were up in time to drive back a body of the enemy who were turning the flank of tbe 12th. At the commencement of the engagement, Captain Sullivan, of H.M.S. Harrier, sent two boat loads of soldiers dosvn the Mangatawhiri and up the Waikalo to a small island in that river, iv case the enemy should attempt coming down the stream. No 9 company of the 14th came in for the brunt of the engagement; and all the casualties, i.e., 1 killed ; Colonel Austin and 7 rank and file wounded, were of that regt. The General came back and stayed some time at the upper camp, watching some natives who bad ventured back to their old position to look after tbe dead. He then went down to the lower one, when all the men, who had now returned, turned out and gave him one long continuous cheer. He then made them a short speech, saying, " You see, men, tbe only way to do with these fellows is to rush them at once." At this speech the cheering was set going again more loudly than ever. One prisoner was taken, and is now in the Queen's Redoubt. About 500 of our men were engaged in this affair; and I should say, from commanding a ! view of the battle, that there were about 400 of the enemy, though the prisoners says only 240. A great many spades had been taken, which had been left by the natives in their haste ; also a quantity of ammunition, some guns, tomahawks, spears, mats, blankets, &c, &c. One private of the 14tli, named Clarke, whilst bayoneting one native was shot in the arm by another who was near him. He then turned upon his new assailant and bayoneted him also, taking from the pocket of one £l 15s in money, and from the other 3s. On returning to the Queen's Redoubt, I found that news had been sent in that the escort had been attacked near Martyn's farm, between this and Dairy. A body of troops was immediately despatched to their assistance. Later in the evening they and the c»nvoy returned, reporting that four of our men had been killed,'^and ten wounded.