ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

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

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

[From the Bpecial Correspondent of the Soothkrk Cboss.] When tbe British force crossed the Mungatawhiri creek, they took up tbeir present position, 1 on the waterside of the remuikable range which. starling at the creek, describes a horse-shoe of about four miles, the other extremity terminating; on the Waikato. There are few spurs from this range, the slopes inward being steep, and the valley, or low land in the centre, somewhat broken and swampy towards the W|iter. The elevation of the range is greatest%t our ad* rsinced post, from which point it decreases, and thence is almost uniform to the present extremity. The ridge is narrow in places. Calling our position the right, tlie natives choose a point somewhat better than a mile from the left extreme of the range, as their main position, and here they had entrenched themselves in rifle pits, in great force. Their advance was about, two miles nearer our advanced position, where they had a line of rifle pits unfinished, but in course of completion . on the jaoraiag , of site

attack. Indeed, up to the attack, the enemy was busily engaged strengthening himself at all points. Such were the positions occupied .by the British troops and the King natives, on the mon.ing of 17th July, so far as I can understand them. I should add, that both positions were as skilfully chosen as the nature of the ground would admit. The 14th advanced for about two miles along the ridge, and the enemy retired from their first line of rifle pits, which, as I have said, were unfinished. The advance continued along the summit of the ridge, and in a short time the enemy's skirmishers opened fire. The advanced guard then wheeled off to the right, drivingin the enemy skirmishers. The main body beaded by the General, advanced by the left to the rifle pits, where the enemy were in force. When within range t^e enemy opened an ex» ceedingly heavy fiie on our advance as they came up the slope^ to the attack. The first volley could not have been less than from 300 pieces. Our advance faltered. I believe it was their first time under fire ; but it was only for a moment. General Cameron rushed for ward at least tweuty yardsan advance of the men, and waving his cap in the air, cheered • them on, calling on his ttoops to turn the enemy out of their rifle pits at the point of the bayouet. The older of the gallant veteran was instantly obeyed, and with a cheer the enemy's position was rushed. Many stood in the trenches, and fought well, but that inimitable weapon in the hands of a British soldier — the bayonet — soon settled the business. The main body of the enemy fled precipitately, theii fire having slackened after tbe first discharge. They abandoned everything m the pits, and thought only of their personal safety. Crossing the ridge, they fled to the water, down a swamp, to get under cover of a belt of bush which borders the river. But here they fell into a trap. The support of the 12th wheeled to the left, and opened fire upon them from the elevated ground, which completely commanded them as they crawled through tbe flax and tangled vegetation beneath, tbe pursuing 14th all the time continuing the work of destruction. The rout was complete. Never was victory over the Maories more decided. If we had had the armed boats on the river, on the morning of tbe battle, not a soul of| the enemy would have escaped. The casualties were. 12, exclusive of Col. Austin, who was slightly wounded. Of these was 1 (Smith) killed in action, 4 dangerously wounded. 1 man (Gilligan) since having died of his wounds, 5 very severely, and 2 slightly wounded. The casualties occurred entirely among the 14th Regt. The officers of the 14th in action were — Col. Austin, commanding ; Surgeon-Major Carte Captains Phelps, Strange, and Mclver; Lieuts. Armstrong, Glancy, (acljutaut), Lawrence, Langtry, and Harrington ; Ensigns Green, Collins, Platt, Wood, and Houatt. The officers and men behaved gallantly. On the return of the General to the camp, the troops rushed around him, cheering with enthusiasm, tossing- their caps in the air. The gallant example set them by this veteran soldier will not be lost, and in future actions I doubt not that the bayonet will be very generally resorted to in deciding the day. At a late hour last evening, we (Southern Cross) received the following despatch frerr/ Drury : — "AH is quiet just now. About fifty families have come in from Pukekohe and the outlying districts. A deputation, it is said, will wait upon Colonel Murray in the morning to ask for an escort to enable them to bring in their cattle and property. Natives were seeu ou the ranges after tbe military left, and it is believed they are in some force in the bush. Amongst the articles taken at the Kirikiri were some guns and ammunition; a Kiug flag, 5 feet by 3; some flour, sugar, and tobacco also fell to the lot of the 18th."