ARRIVAL OF THE PHOEBE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1976, 29 October 1863, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE PHOEBE.

SKIRMISH BETWEEN THE WAIKATO VOLUNTEERS AND THE NATIVES.

LIEUT. PERCIVAL AND TWO MEN

SHOT— SEVEN MISSING

GUNBOAT ENTERED THE WAIKATO

The s.s. Phoebe arrived in this harbor yesterday, at half-past 12 o'clock from Picton, Nelson, Taranaki, and Manakau, bringing later Auckland news to the 24th inst.

There had been a skirmish between the Volunteers and Natives. Lieut. Percival had been killed, two men shot, and seven missiug.

Capt. Kennedy informs us that the gun-boat Waikato with seven boats in tow, aud H.M.S. Eclipse were entering the Waikato River on Saturday iast, at noon.

The Mereraere was to be stormed on Monday, the 26th inst.

The Maoris had crossed the Wuikato, and were collecting their forces to meet the General.

They intended attacking the gun-boat the first opportunity that offered.

The Wonga Wonga will probably bring down news of the storming of Meremere.

The Derwent from Hobart Town arrived with Volunteers on the 22nd inst. Her passengers were Lieutenant Richards, Lieut. Percival, Lieut. Ashton, Dr Keen, Mrs Robinson and serrant, aud 77 military settlers of the Tasmanian Contingent. We subjoin fuller details from the Southern Cross of the 29th inst. 2 a.m. Our Drury Correspondent has just ridden in with the following additional particulars : — ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UEBELB. LIEUT. PERCIVAL OF THE FIRST WAIKATO REGIMENT AND TWO MEN SHOT, — AND SEVEN MEN MISSING, — SUPPOSED TO BE BHOT. At two o'clock to-day I sent you intelligence «f the fact that tha rebels had crossed the Waikato, and were in the neighbourhood of the Bald Hills, at the Mauku. There have been, for some time, various rumors of the approach of several Southern tribes to this and the Waiukn districts. At length they have come. I don't know far our authorities are to blame in allowing them to come, and why posts have not been established to hinder their approach. But Pura Pura has been neglected, and the rebels have had liberty to come across. I believe their object was to attack the Pioneer as she steamed up the Waikato. Tired of waiting, for the steamer, they concocted other mischief. This morning they mustered at the Bald Hills, at the Mauku, to the number of about 500.

Between 8 and 9 o'clock this morning, some 40 volunteers, under Lieutenant Lusk, went out, and when near the Mauku church the rebels appeared in sight towards the Bald Hills. Lieutenant Lusk at once despatched a messenger to Mauku stockade for reinforcements. Twelve men and Sergeant Hill were despatched to reinforce Mr Lusk's party, nuder the command of Lieutenant Percival of the Ist Waikato Regiment. This small party took the wrong track to the church where Mr Lusk and party were posted, and came suddenly upon the Maoris. Fire was opened on the enemy by this small handful of Volunteers, who kept up the unequal conflict for full half an hour. They then retired in skirmishing order, firing as they retired, keeping the enemy well in check. The Volunteers retired without loss to themselves, but I have reason to believe the enemy, who were in the open for a considerable time, and whose numbers were very great, was not so fortunate. This contest lay between 14 of our volunteers and from 400 to 600 armed natives. This party succeeded in joining the larger force at the Church, which was waiting for reiuforcemenls from the Stockade. On the reinforcements joining, the whole party proceeded towards the rebels. From what transpired, I should say that the natives, seeing the approach of the volunteers, divided themselves into two parties. They waited until the small attacking force had got well into the bush, and then managed to outflank and surround them. They opened a heavy fire, which was returned with spirit by the volunteers. Under tliecircumstances.fighting against such fearful odds, it was deemed prudent to retreat; and the men gallantly fought their way out of the bush, but not without loss. Lieutenant Percival fell mortally wounded, a bullet having passed through his neck. Tsvo of the Waikato volunteers were also shot, and seven of their comrades are missing. The dead and wounded were left upon the field. Of those missing, six are supposed to be Victorians, and oue of rhe Mauku volunteers. Lieutenant Norman, second company of the Ist Waikato Regiment, left Druiy yesterday morning, for the Mauku. On his arrival there he found his comrades engaged ; and having

procured a rifle and ammunition, be joined them. Up to the time I left, he was amongst the missing.

When I wrote from Diury, at two o'clock yesterday, I stated that reinforcements were ordered to the Mauku by Colonel Chapman, 18th Royal Irish. These* consisted of one hundred men of the Ist Waikato Regiment, commanded by Captain St John, and accompanied by Dr Giles, Major Speedy, and Mr Crispe, junior. On their arrival the affair was over, the volunteers having returned to the Stockade. The reinforcements from Drury remained at the stockade.

Captain Lloyd commanding 1 the Waiuku corps followed the reinforcements, and I believe arrived safely at his destination. When Lieutenant Percival fell several of his men attempted to remove him from the field. The gallant fellow would not permit this, however, recalling them to their sterner duty by the words— "Leave me alone: revenge my death." This youug officer's loss will be greatly felt by the volunteers by whom he was greatly esteemed. He was the son of Spencer Percival, Esq., for many years a leading member of the House of Commons, and grandson of the unfortunate Prime Minister of that name, who was shot in the lobby of the House. It was not poasible for me to ascertain the Maori loss, but taking both actions into accouut, and their numbers. I am inclined to think they suffered severely. Time will tell this, however. A chief source of regret is that the Maorisi were left in possession of the field. When I left Drury for Auckland , I heard that Colonel Chapman had ordered 200 men, with the full complement of officers, to go up towards Pukekohe, and if possible take the Maoris in the rear. I hope this move will be successful. I also heard that Colonel Nixon was on his way to the Mauku.