THE LAST CAVALRY EXPEDITION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2785, 16 January 1869, Page 2

THE LAST CAVALRY EXPEDITION.

Great preparations were made for a cavalry expedition, to start oa Christmas eve, for the purpose of making a raid into the enemy's country beyond the Patea river. The Wanganui Cavalry were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to start from the camp at the Mission Station in time to reach the Kai Iwi at 8.30 p.m. The Kai Iwi corps had received similar orders. Accordingly, at 7.30, the Kai Iwi Corps, numbering 30, joined the Wanganui, 70 strong, at the camp, and immediately commenced the march, the two corps being under the command of Captain Finnimore. The force was overtaken by Lieut.- Colonel Lyon. Inspector M'Donnell, Inspector Camming, two Mounted Constabulary, and between, thirty and forty mounted kupapas, a short distance on the other side of Peat's. The Wanganui Cavalry was in the advance, the Kai Iwi next, and the kupapas bringing up the rear. The march was continued, the Kai Iwi crossed, and about a mile and a half of beach made, when a movement of rather an extraordinary character took place. Colonel (Inspector) M'Donnell rode along the ranks, and without communicating with the officers commanding the two corps, ordered the divisions to "close up" and "halt." The denouement of these instructions was anxiously awaited— no one for a moment anticipating what it was to be. In a few moments the Kupapas. behind M'Donnell, were marching along the right flank to the front. The sensation was immense when the men saw the movement. The kupapas were to form the advanced guard, to occupy the post of honor, and, as past experience has shown, to slink to the rear the moment the first shot was fired. Like electricity it passed along the ranks — " We will not follow the blackfellows." Officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, felt that an insult was paid them — not intentionally, we believe, by Col. Lyon - and it was at once clear that the cavalry would not cross the Waitotara unless the kupapas were again placed in the rear. Representations to this effect were made by Captain Finnimore and Lieut. Bryce. They expressed their fears that information would be given to the enemy, that an extemporised corps of Maories should not be placed before a disciplined body of men, and that the place of honor belonged to the Europeans. Col. Lyon obstinately refused to be "dictated to" by anyone, and would not alter his arrangements. The Cavalry were drawn up, and addressed by Col. Lyon, who said he was sorry they refused to go with him, for they had told him they would follow him auywhere. This was at once answered by one unanimous shout — " So we will, if you put the kupapas in the rear." " We are Englishmen," said the men, " and will never be led by the kupapas." Col. Lyon said they might return, and bade them " good night." The men of the two troops were at once wheeled, and marched back to their respective camps. Before separating, the troops were addressed l»y Captain Finnimore and Lieut. Bryce. The action of the officers was endorsed by every man in the force ; the men said they bad only got one object — to defeat and crush the enemy ; but while fighting for their hearths and homes they would lead the way, and not De led by as great traitors as Titoko Waru himself; they would follow Col. Lyon, but had no faitli in M'Donnell or Gumming. Col. Lyon, the evil genii, and ithe kupapas, continue I the march to Patea, where they are no doubt quietly spending rlieir Christmas holidays. The cavalry are in camp awaiting orders. They have done, too much for the M'Donnell breed ; and the kupapas, who were brought in to reap the laurels at the expense of the cavalry, will either have to fight by themselves or go to their homes, from whence it was the worst of policy ever to have brought them. It is quite time Col. Whitmor© was back if the Booth and M'Donnell clans are to ruin enterprise by conduct which clearly emanates from the desire of self-aggrandisement. Col. Lyon was too proud to reverse an order, which he was morally coerced to make, and the cavalry had a reputation to maintain, and a strong espi'it de corps, which entitled their feelings and opinions to some respect. Colonel Lyon listened to the voices of the charmers, M'Donnell and that Te JVgutu. hero Camming, and neglected to consult the opinions of those officers upon whom and their men the success of the whole expedition depended. Colonel Lyon is a good soldier, but he should surround himself with safer counsellors.