COL. WHITMORE'S DESPATCHES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2785, 16 January 1869, Page 5

COL. WHITMORE'S DESPATCHES.

The following despatches from Colonel Whitmore to Colonel Haultain, relative to the recent action B of our forces on the East Coo3fc, have been courteously handed to us by the honorable the Defence Minister, for publication in our Summary for Australia and Europe : — Head Quarters, Ngatapa, sth January, 1869. Sic, — My laßt despatch, of the 30th ult., brought my operations up to the establishment of the depot for my siege operations, on the next ridge to this plnce. I there built a redoubt, and named it Fort Richmond. I could get pack animals to this point, after improving the track, easily enough, though the hills were high j but there was no grass, and horses had to go back to Fort "Roberts directly they delivered their loads. Beyond this point the track was across too rugged a region to admit of pack transport till I had devoted labor to improve it, and I was compelled to trust to the men carrying their rations and ammunition up and down the two hills on their backs. On the 3lBt I marched* at daylight to a conical rise on the same ridgo as Ngatupa pa, but about 700 yurds from it. The apex of this rise I fortified and christened the Crow's Nest. Here I posted a few of the best shots of the force as a picket to prevent the nutives firing uway ammunition if the enemy should open fire upon my position. The Hauhans were plainly visible, strengthening their fortifications when we arrived, and I turned the morning to pood account myself, strengthening my camp, and improving my road to the rear with Nos. 6 and 7 A.O. At length, about 1 p.m., the enemy opened fire, discharging a volley suddenly, but all his bullets foil short. Our sharpshooters replied by a dropping but well-directed fire, which continued till night, the enemy replying by volleys now and again. In the evening, after receiving the reports of the Bcoutß, and consulting with the chief Rapafa, I decided that it would be better to change the route by which I had intended to eend the party to the rear of the place. The right flank gully was evidently the better adapted for suoh a I march, and I ascertained that it was also the I shortest. Our scouts, moreover, informed us i that from the apparent fortifications round to the rear entrance there were no fortifications at all, and that on the enemy's left the cliff wa9 so steep as to render attack or escape alike impossible. The cliff on his right flank wa9 not so steep or high. Not having enough men to undertake both cliffs, I decided to neglect that on the enemy's left, about 250 yards of which I left without a guard throughout the siege. After carefully considering the subject with Ra^ata and Hoteno, I gave orders to Mujor Fraser to march at duwn with 200 men (100 of Hotene's Maori?, and 100 Armed Constabulary), descending by the bush into the bed of the Creek, and keeping in concealment, to work his way to the point A. on the pan ; on reaching this he was to send buck for orders. Rapata with 60 No. 8 Division, A.C., and 60 Ngatiporos was to take a parallel but shorter route and to gain the crest of the ridgo about G-., where he 100 was to halt for orders. Major Fraser, after some few hours, senb back for ammunition and reinforcements, having carried out his instructions, and shot four of the enemy. I sent his requirements on at once, and ordered him to get us close as possible to the pa. Rapata, without being discovered, gained his position and entrenched himself, sending ba -k to ask for orders. I now moved on the Armed Constabulary and more Ngatiporos, sending orders to Rapata to extend to his left, and close iv to the work. By night the investment, ns far as it can be so culled, was complete — Major Fraser from my extreme left had communicated with me along my line. Inspector Roberts with No. 6 division was posted on Hotene's right, under the cliff in the position shown in the plan, witli a few Natives to assist him in keeping watch; Wickliffeand Albert, prolonged the line to Rapata, who in turn touched the Artillery, whi'-h now came up with the mortar and the Division No. 7 A.C, with the Turanga Volunteers under my personal directions, guarded and formed the trenches of the main attack, while No. 8 A.C. (Arawas) were posted on the riuht. The lino was exactly 750 yards long. From No 8 to Mnjor Fraser the cliff was to some extent flanked by the fire of both, but not guarded for the reasons above explained. It now came on to rain, an unfortunate circumstance, because while on the one hand the enemy pbtnined water, on the other the formation of the approaches progressed very slowly, the nitives not working with the zeal they had hitherto displayed, and my force of Europeans with the main attack bi'ing exceedingly small. Moreover, the rain added enormously to the difficulties of the pack transport already heavily taxed, and utterly without any reserve of animals (for the resources of the district did no t afford them) to fall back upon. As I perceived that in consequence of the weather some delay must occur in reducing the place, I called upon Captain Towgood, who had volunteered his services to Mr McLean, to ride back, and to endeavour by every means in his power to push on the supplies and ammunition. This gentleman kindly undertook to do so, and, I may here observe, throughout the siege was earnest and enei-getic in his efforts to forward my wishes, and to carry out Mr Richmond's directions. All the 2nd the enemy was watching for an outlet, and whenever a few shells were thrown into the place, made a rush eomowhore along the line to try to get out. Major Fraser repulsed boy aval sorties, in ono of which the men came to a hand-to-hand struggle, and threoof our men were hurled over the precipice, while four of the enemy were killed. The mnd in tho trenches, and the continual rain without shelter, made tho European troops suffer greatly irom fatigue, but they managed to keep up their spirits,; and turned out aft'jr their brief intervals of sleep willingly. During the morning Major St John, trusting' to the mist, endeavoured to approach the enemy's works almost by himself. Ho might, perhaps, have gone actually to tho outer wall had I not ordered him *Force marched 31st : —

back when I learned the melancholy fate of Onjh tain Brown, commanding No. 7 Division, wiw> had been shot dead in the trenches at that moment. Being ehorfc of officers, a great deal of duty devolved upon Major St. John besides staff duties and it was very foi tunate that Mr Oapel, the only other officer with tiie attack, turned out, though so young, so good an officer. The enemy employed sharpshooters all day to watch our trenches, but our cover left him littte opening ; nevertheless a few wounded or killed . necessarily fell to our lot. On the third I made a careful inspection of the whole line, and satisfied myself that there was no point especially weak. I also recalled Mr (3-ascoigne from Major Eraser and his native* to do duty with his division (No. 7), Mr OapeJ having meanwhile been wounded. The natives repulsed several sortios during the day, and Major Eraser was attacked veay deter* ininedly, and lost n few men. Bapata was indefatigable in inspecting his line and keeping the men to their duty. The great difficulty was the chasm between Fprft Richmond and Ngatoip'i. Across this all our provisions were " humped," by the men (30) left behind by me in the last camp. The greasy state of the bush track, and the steepness of the road made it a painful duty, c I ill Mr Sfcopford . and his men carried it out without one murmur. These men often came into camp very late at night carrying as much as 500 rounds on their backs, after having twice before struggled across-; tho3e slippery hills the same day, with supplies* ammunition, or shell. On this day also the enemy made several Borties, and a few escaped naked. The .shelling of the place occasionally at the hours for the reliefs during the night kept the enemy uneasy and without sleep, while it assisted in awakening the tired portion of our men whose duty it »ra» to rise. Several attempts were made during tho early morning to escape by small parties, which only resulted in the death of. those who tried to break through our lines. During the nigh* Captain Skeet stole up to the outer wall, and found ib apparently untenanted. It was a gallant effort, bul 1 heard of it too late to take advantage . of it. The shell, practice was very good all day, notwithstanding the difficulties of weighing the charges in the rain without a tent, and was equally so at night. We thought it likely the enemy would have^tried to break through during the night, and very little sleep fell to the lot of any, but he made no general sortie. On the Ist I had offered in load language which they heard and answered, to allow any faithful persons, or women and children, to page my lines in safety. This eummona waa threiß times repeated, and each time, though our fir© slackened and ceased, we were fired upon by the enemy before we re-opened. 1 considered, therefore, that every fair opportunity had been given, and that the enemy hud accepted the evident alternative. The weather was beginning to clear, and the native allies began to come out from their little sheltering erections like butterflies, and all the force began to take heart. All this time, thanks to the exertions of Mr Richmond and those in rear, among whom I may especially mention Mr Stopford, Quarter-master Anderson, Captain Newland, Mr George Smith, Captain Towgood, and Mr Bower, the supply wan well kept up. Sheep were driven up to the front, and our meat supply was never a cause of disquietude. We made yards at every post, aiid without trouble easily kept our sheep ready for killing. The narative of this siege has been kept better by Major St. John than I have described it, and I shall send his notes to you. The mortar, doubtless, did us some service ; but it also produced a mural effect, showing that no fastnesses can withstand the energy, perseverance, and deter* mination of our troop 3 when aroused by such horrible atrocities as hud been committed by the band of murderers under Te Kooti. — I have, &o, Gh S. Whitmobb, Colonel. Head Quarters, Turanganui, Bth January, 1869. Sib,— l have the satisfaction of informing the G-overnmßnt that on the sth instant the bush and mountain fortress of Ngatapa — the chosen stronghold of Kooti and his band of murderers-— fell into tha hands of the Colonial Forces. Previous reports bring the account of the siege to the 4th inst. On that day the sorties of the enemy along our whole line became freqnent, and Major Eraser, who had charge of the rear, sent to inform me that he feared he could not much longer prevent the escape of the enemy, unless I caused] an immediate attack. I requested JRapata to send out scouts to make a more minute examination of the position., and learned from them that the outer ditch and wall might be taken by a concealed movement. I despatched a party of A.C. (No. 8, Arawa) and thirty Ngatiporou to carry out this project, resolving, when in possession of the outer work, to blow up the inner lines. The party advanced under cover of the bush, tho attention of the enemy being engaged by a heavy fire from all tho trenches, and with a bound and a cheer they scaled the edge of the cliff and took possession of the left extremity of the work, the enemy immediately retreating. Meantime the right was seized by Wikiriwhi and Arapeta with their men. This operation was finished by dark, and by dawn our men were but a few feet from the completion of my purpose, when we learned that the enemy were escaping. The fortification was immediately entered by our men, when it appeared that Kooti hud made off, lowering his men and some of the women down the steepest and therefore least guarded part of the cliff. The escape had scarcely been finished when we entered the fortification, and the enemy wero so weakened by insufficient food and prolonged watching that I was confident of overtnking the fugitives. A large part of the Native force waa at onoe in eager pursuit. By sundown the number of killed, either in the pa or in the pursuit, had reached 120. By night the following day most of tho pursuers had returned, bringing two of Kooti's wives, and 13G of the band were killed. Although the women fought, and excited the men by their cries, I am happy to say that in obedience to my orders, they and the children were spared. Had it been otherwise, the ordinary customs of Maori warfare, and the singular atrocities committed by Kooti's band, might have pulliated the want of mercy; and tie obedience of the Ngatiporou and Arawa is proportionately creditable. I blew up the main fortification in the manner I had already planned, and (he result was an excellent breach. I then fired a salute of twentyone guns from the cohorn, and on tho evening of the seventh and morning of the Bth evacuated the bill altogether. The total number of tho enemy certainly ascertaiued to bo killed, up to tho time of the return of tho last pursuers, is 13S ; but I am generally . informed that moro wore killed than have been, recorded, and many of the wounded must have died in the mountainous for'ost which extends for many miles in every direction in rear of the fortress. Among the dead are many men of note — Nikora of .Ngatihineuri, tho leader of the murdering party, and Rangiaho, one of tho highest of Uriwern chiefs, are the best known. The pursuers were few, if any, of them acquainted with Kooti, and it is possible ho may be among the killed ; at all events defeated, twice wounded, a fugitive, and failing in his prophecies, ho is nofc likely again to trouble, the district, or assemble a ■ fresh band of assassins, even should he survive the hardships before him, or escape the vengeance of tha Uriwera upon an impostor. Thus ihe murders of our unfortunate countrywomen . and their children have been avenged on the spot chosen ns the strongest in a very rugged forest country, by tho ■wretches who perpetrated these crimes. Tho harmonious working of the Colonial Poree, composed of about equal numbers of Europeans and Maoris, baa thus conquered unprecedented difficulties, and I find it almost impossible to select for praise out of a force all of whom displayed extraordinary zeal. Major St. John (who

•cted-as Brigade- Major), Major Fraser, Inspector Bjoberts, Major Westrup (who with, the Turanga Volunteers, did most disagreeable and laborious ''.'• duty with a readineas which I feel bound to refer • to specially, as I have on a former occasion made " a complaint of the same corps) , and the late Cap- *■ tain Brown, all performed their parts to my entire •' satisfaction. Captain Newland and Mr G-eorge ■ Smith carried on the transport service by day and • ' night with untiring energy. Mr Stopford, who, frith his detachment., carried provisions across ■ ' the deep ravine and up the steep ascentof Ngatapa, ■ ' toust also be named. I trust that the Q-overn- * nftent may think right to recognise the services of Majors St. John and Fraser To no officer was I more indebted than to fclie Chief Rapata Wahatouha. His courage in the • fi»hfc was equalled by the wisdom of his counsel " and the coramnnd he possessed over his men, -' whilst his knowledge of the position, derived from a previous chivalrous attempt to tako the place ' with a handful of his tribe and three or four Europeans, woa of the greatest value. He was well ' supported by Hotene, Wikiriwhi, and other chiefs. Captain Gundry and the Arawa (No. 8 A. 0.) were the admiration of the whole force. Always 1 in front, always cheerful and obedient, as bra~e as ■ they were well behaved. Much of the credit of -"■ this belongs to their officer. 1 wish to bring to your notice, for any reward or decoration that may be deemed proper, Constables Black and Biddle, who defended the ad- ' vanoed rifle-pits at close quarters with resolute bravery. The medical staff under Dr Ormond ; the • quarter-master's department, under Mr Anderson ; ' the artillery, under Sergeant- Major Anderson ; and the commissariat in part, under Captain ' Bower, are equally entitled to praise. I have also to thank Mr Richmond, who was ' present during the whole of the operations, either in port, on the road, or at the front, and who, • seconded by the energy of Captain Towgood, secured the working of my hastily-organised commissariat and transport service. Lastly, I have to thank my volunteer A.D.C. Mr Foster and Captain Skeet, who volunteered ■ his services as engineer, and displayed great '' courage. Among the list of casualties, happily a short one, two have caused great grit' to all who knew them, '^Captain Brown of No. 7 divisions A.C. 'and Sergeant Hetaraka, No. 1 Division. Captain Brown was modest, gallant, conscientious, and • bis men grieved sincerely over his death. In the work he carried out and in the discipline and affection of his men he has shown how good and - faithful a servant the colony has lost. Heratarakn, one of the bravest and highest born of the Arawa, known to the whole force by his intelligence and smartness, fell in the very front of Major Frasor's division, while in conversation with Major Fraser, and engaged reconnuitering the enemy. Very full plans and sections have been executed by Mr Bousefield, and accompany this despatch. • I truit I shall not be thought to lay too much stress on the capture of Ngatapa, which, besides the interest attaching to the overcoming of the •^physical difficulties of forest and mountain at a distance from supplies, has the great advantage of reassuring our men as to their own capacity to deal with a desperate and remorseless enemy, and to perform any service whicn the colony can require at their hands. — I have, &c, Or. S. Whitmoeb, Colonel. CAStrArarr Return of the Killed and Wounded at the Siege of Ngatapa, Ist to sth Jan., 1869. Officers Killed. — Sub-Inspector Captain Brown, Ho. 7 Division, A.C. Officers Wounded. — Acting Sub -Inspector Capel, No. 7;Division, A.C. Non-commissioned Officers and Men Killed. — IPTo.. 1 Division, A.C. : Sergeant Hetaraka, Constable M'Ewen, Constable Sawyei, Constable Chislett. No. 3 Division, A.C. : Constable Clarendon. Ngatiporos : Hori Pourewa, Rapata Puingaware, Hunia Huapapa, Heremaiah Taurai, Him ion a Matahu. ?f on-commissioned Officers and Men Wounded. — -No. 1 "Division, A.C. : Constable Crosbie. No. 3 Division, A.C. : Constable Smith, Constable Clancey. No. 8 Division, A.C. (Arawas) : Constable Ibaia Matunua. Ngatiporo : Horepa Pokino, Herewini Te Mano, Riwai Pukerua. .• 7?otal. — One officer and 10 non-commissioned officers and men killed. 1 officer and 7 non-com-missioned officers and men wounded. GK S. Whitmobe, Colonel.

Officers. Men. No. 1 Arincd Constabulary ... 3 6<l No. 3 " ... 2 61 No. 6 " ... 2 55 No. 7 " ... 3 62 No. 8 " (Arawas) ... 1 60 Armed Constabulary, Total... 11 302 Ngatfporo ... 370 Head Quarters, Spieß, Scouts, Medical Department, &0... 5 6 Total ... ... 16 678