The Waikato War, 1863-4

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 7, 14 February 1912, Page 51

The Waikato War, 1863-4

By

JOHN FEATON.

CHAPTER XXlll.—(Continued.) Lieutenant John Spencer Percival was the son of Spencer Percival, Esq., for some years a leading member of the House of Commons, and grandson of Spencer Percival, First Lord of the Treasury, and Prime Minister in 1809. who was assassinated on May 11, 1812, by Bellingham, in the lobby of the House of Commons. Both Lieutenants Percival and Norman had but a short time before their untimely deaths arrived in the Colony from Victoria, with the Militia Volunteers.

Not satisfied with the murders already committed, the natives, on Saturday, 26th October, made their appearance in the vicinity of Howick, and shot and tomahawked two boys, named Richard and Nicholas Trust, sons of Mr. Trust, who resided on Kennedy's farm. When the intelligence reached Auckland it caused the greatest excitshient and consternation amongst the inhabitants. The enemy were evidently getting bolder, and had now made an attack on a settlement within a few miles of the city. The bugles at once sounded the alarm, and that same evening a force of 200 men, consisting of too of the Rifle Volunteers. and too of the Volunteer Naval Brigade, embarked on board H.M.S. Miranda, which immediately steamed for the scene of the murder. The Rfl Volunteers were under the command of Major de Quincy, Capt. and Adjutant Mitchell, No. 2 Company; Capt. Clark, No. 6; Ensign Andrews, No. 3; and Ensign Batger, No. 5 Company. The Naval Brigade was in charge of Captains Daldy and Copeland and Lieutenant Guilding. Upon arrival the force skirmished through the neighbourhood where the natives had appeared, but the enemy, long before the Volunteers had arrived, had decamped through the bush towards the Wairoa. The force not being prepared to follow, returned to Auckland.

The steamer Pioneer, together with several gunboats, having arrived on the Waikato, General Cameron made preparations for an immediate advance. Whilst steaming past the enemy’s works at Mere Mere, on a reconnoitering expedition, the natives opened fire on the Pioneer from their two guns. One I4lb. weight, striking the bulwarks, passed through, and embedded itself in a cask of beef that was on deck. The natives had been instructed to fire their guns—one a 12-pounder and the other a 24-pounder, by an old Indian artilleryman. At the time of the war he was in the Waikato district, and was detained by the natives. He, however, managed to escape from the Maoris at Mere Mere to the British lines, and was enabled to give the General some reliable information respecting the enemy'.

On Friday, the 30th of October, a strong force of 500 officers and men embarked on board the steamers Pioneer and Avon, both vessels immediately steaming up the Waikato River. When abreast of Mere Mere the natives opened a brisk fire from their two guns and small arms, but did no damage,

the steamers continuing their passage. Upon arriving at a high bluff called Tapokau, 8 miles beyond Mere Mere, the troops were landed-without opposition, and immediately commenced to throw up a redoubt. At about 3 o'clock the next morning one of the sentries, seeing a dark shadow moving in the fern, fired. A picket of the 40th, under Ensign Ducrow, at once advanced and patrolled for some distance round, but not discovering any signs pi .the enemy, retreated. Whilst so doing a heavy fire was suddenly opened upon them by the natives, who had been lying concealed among the fern and tca-HW. ‘ The troops, under cover of their earthworks, returned the lire, the position of the enemy’ being ascertained by the lightning-like flashes of fire that darted out in the gloom of night from the thick scrub. After keeping up a fusilade for about an hour the natives retired- The troops lost I private Royal Engineers killed; Captain Hon. Le Poer Trench. 40th Regiment, 2 privates, and 1 seaman wounded

The natives finding that General Cameron, by the position he had taken up at Tapokau, had turned their stronghold at Mere Mere, which was consequently no longer tenable, at once retreated. On November 1 the General received information that the enemy had abandoned their position at Mere Mere, and a force of 500 men—consisting of 250 seamen under Commander Mayne, and 250 troops, detachments of the 12th, 14th, 18th and 70th Regiments, under Colonel Austin, of the 14th, at once moved forward and took possession of the deserted entrenchments, and threw up a redoubt. Captain Heaphy, of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers, who was on survey duty, accompanied the troops. One of the Mauku Volunteers, named James Droomgould, on November 3 was shot and afterwards brained with the butt end of a gun by the natives who were prowling about the Mauku settlement. Droomgould at the time was in company with Felix McGuire, a corporal in the tst Regiment Waikatos. engaged in collecting horses, when they were surprised by the enemy. They were both unarmed. Felix McGuire, hearing the shots fired, escaped to the stockade

and gave the alarm. A force immediately marched out-and brought in the body of Droomgould, but the enemy had decamped. About five months after the above occurrence a native was arrested for the murder of Droomgould. Some friendly natives swore they had heard him boast of having shot and brained one of the Mauku settlers at the time, and the noble savage being found guilty was sentenced to death.

It being rumoured that a number or natives had returned to their settlement between the Manukau Heads and Waiuku, an expedition was despatched on the 7th of November to capture them. The force embarked at Onehunga in the steamer Lady Barkly, Captain Hunt, and consisted of detachments of the Onehunga Naval and Rifle Volunteers, under Captain Parnell ami Lieutenant Harris, accompanied by Dr. Weekes and Mr. Rice, Government Native Interpreter. The Lady Barkly arrived at Waiuku the next morning, and landed the expedition. Captain Lloyd, the officer in charge at Waiuku. arranged to join the expedition with 30 of his men. Accordingly, after dark that evening, the force marched out of-Waiuku towards Awitu, the native settlement at the Manukau South Head- The Onehunga detachment took one route, the Waiuku another; the two corps to join at a place agreed upon, viz., at Pehiakuru, a native settlement. On the march no natives were seen, and the two corps having joined, resumed their route towards Awitu. Before starting from Waiuku, news arrived that the natives had crossed the Manukau to North Head, and cut

down the signal staff that was erected on a rock adjoining the main land called Faratutai. The natives accomplished this daring feat at night time, and, as it were, in the very face of a party of Militia who were specially detailed to protect the flagstaff. The night being dark and windy the sentry did not hear the Natives cutting down the staff. From Pehiakura the expedition struck a path that led them down to the west coast, which they followed for some distance, Mr. Mactier, an Awitu settler, acting as guide. Some few miles before reaching the South Head, a deep gorge in the cliffs was reached. The expedition passed through this; and moved up on to the high land through several of .he settlers’ cultivations, and then down into the Awitu Valley, at the mouth of which was situated the native settlement. Upon arriving at the village it was found deserted, but Maori foot-tracks denoted that the enemy was not far off. One of the Maoris who was reported to have assisted in cutting down the flagstaff had Six toes, and as a natural curiosity would have made the fortune of a Barnum. /The tracks of “six-toed Jack” were discernable, but he, .with the other natives, teas no doubt concealed in the dense and tangled forest that clothed the precipitous sides of the valley, and from some ambush was probably narrowly teatching the movements of the expedition. The Lady Barkly having steamed along the shore from Waiuku arrived at 'Awitu, re-embarked the expedition, and returned to Waiuku, passing on the passage the deserted homesteads of Messrs Logan, Graham, Featon, and Garland, Arriving at a creek called Rangiriri the steamer anchored and a party teent on shore to launch a large war canoe that was lying in a shed by the Side of the creek. The canoe was over 70 feet in length, was elaborately carved, fend would carry 150 men; its estimated cost was about £SOO. This celebrated Specimen of Maori marine architecture was afterwards conveyed to England by one of the men-of-war. The canoe having been launched, was taken in tow by the Lady Barkly to Waiuku. The next day the expedition marched out again, and surprised several natives with arms in their possession. Lead and bullet moulds were also found in their whales. They were taken prisoners, but afterwards released, as it was stated they were friendly. Bad 'weather setting in, the Lady Barkly with Captain Parnell’s detachment, steamed back to Qnehunga.

A few days afterwards, news arrived in Onehunga that the natives were at the Awitu settlement in considerable numbers. Captain Parnell again started teith a detachment of his Naval Volunteers in the Lady Barkly. The vessel at some distance, passed the settlement, and steaming round a point, landed a party at Graham’s to march overland and attack the settlement in the rear; the Lady Barkly to steam swiftly back and land a party, on the beach to take the natives in front. The steamer arriving at the appointed inre opposite the Awitu settlement, at once landed her shore party under Captain Hunt, who, extending his faien in skirmishing order, rushed the settlement. The natives, however, retreated into the bush. The party under Captain Parnell shortly afterwards arrived and the bush was scoured, but was too dense to get at the enemy. The force then re-embarked on board the Lady Barkly and returned to Onehunga. The troopship Himalaya, 3570 tons, Captain Lacy, arrived in Auckland harbour November 14th, with the 50th Regiment, consisting of 793 rank and file and 37 officers under Colonel Waddy. Queen-street wharf, Auckland, presented a scene or great bustle and excitement on Monday, November 16th. A large force of nearly poo men were under orders for the Thames. The troops embarked on board H-M.S.s. Miranda and Esk, and the horses and baggage on board the s.s. Corio. The gunboat Sandfly, Captain Marks, also accompanied the expedition. The force Consisted of detachments of the 12th and 70th, Ist Regiment of Waikato Militia, .with 50 of the Defence Force under Captain Walmsley, and 100 of the Auckland Naval Volunteers, under Captain Daldy—the whole being under the command of Colonel Carey, 18th Regiment. The troops as they marched down to the place of embarkation were enthusiastically cheered by the crowds Of citizens who thronged the wharf, the Auckland Navals having at their head the indispensable fiddler, who scraped away with great energy. The force having embarked, the transports steamed away down the harbour; but the .weather coming on very rough the expedition anchored in the Waiheke Channel and remained there, owing to the tempestuous weather, for a week. On the Monday morning, a week from the date of embarkation, the expedition arri’ved at the Thames and landed at Pukorokoro without opposition, although several lines of earthworks had been thrown up by the enemy for the purpose of opposing the landing of the troops. The natives had but just retired, for the fires in the whares were still burning- After much pulling and hauling, in which the Auckland Navals displayed great zeal, the whole of the troops, horses and baggage were safely landed, and a redoubt was thrown up called the Miranda. The object of the expedition was to occupy the country between the Thames and the Queen’s Redoubt, and so prevent the natives having free access to the Auckland district. As soon as possible, Colonel Carey advanced his force and opened communication with the Queen's Redoubt, having thrown up and garrisoned three redoubts, viz., the Miranda, the Esk, and the Surrey, communication being established by means of signal staffs, the Surrey communicating with the Queen’s Redoubt. In those days the military ardour of the Auckland citizens was at its highest pitch; everyone capable of bearing arms was a soldier, and the apathetic Volunteer of these piping times of peace has but a faint idea of the enthusiasm that prevailed when grim-visaged war displayed its wrinkled front. CHAPTER XXIV. The natives, -when they retreated from Mere Mere, fell back upon their entrenched position at Rangiriri, on the river bank, about 13 miles above Mere Mere. The enemy’s works consisted of a line of entrenchments with a double ditch, across the narrow ridge which divides the Waikato River from Lake Waikare, and in the centre of the works at the highest point there was a strong square redoubt with a high parapet, very similar in construction to the redoubts thrown up by the troops. On the tBth General Cameron proceeded up the river in the Pioneer, and reconnoitred the enemy’s position, which he determined to attack without delay. Accordingly, on the morning of the 20th of November, the head-quarters of the 40th Regiment, consisting of 19 officers and 300 rank and file, under Colonel Leslie, Major Bligh, Capt. •nd Brevet Major Bowdler, Captains Hon. Le I*. Trench, Cooke, Clarke, and

Hines, embarked on board the steamers Pioneer and Avon, and steamed up the Waikato River. The Pioneer and Avon had in tow four gunboats. The steamers and gunboats were under the command of Commodore Sir William Wiseman, Bart., and Commanders Sullivan, H.M.s. Harrier; Mayne, H.M.s. Eclipse; and Philmore, H.M.s. Curacoa. The Avon was in charge of Lieut. Easther. At the same time a force of 28 officers and 723 rank and file marched from Mere Mere to attack the enemy’s position in front. This force consisted of the following detachments:—

Royal Engineers.— 2 officers and 13 rank and file, under Colonel Mould, C. 8., and Captain Brooke. Royal Artillery.—3 officers and 51 rank and file, under Captain Mercery Lieutenant Pickard, and Assistant S.S. Temple, with two Armstrong guns. 12th Regiment.—4 officers and 108 rank and file, under Capt. Cole.

14th Regiment.—9 officers and 175 rank and file, under Colonel Austen and Captains Strange and Phelps. 65th Regiment.— 10 officers and 376 rank and file, under Colonel Wyatt

and Captain Gresson. A party of seamen, with a 6-pounder Armstrong, in charge of Lieut. Alexander, H.M.s. Curacoa, also marched with the force. General Cameron, C. 8., commanded the troops, with the following staff: Major McNeill, A.D.C.; Lieut. St. Hill, A.D.C.; Col. Carey, C. 8.; Col. Gamble, D. Qr.-M.G.; Lieutenant-Colonels Sir H. Havelock, V.C. and P.M.O. Mouatt, C.B. and V.C. Capt. Lacey, of the troopship Himalaya, also accompanied the staff.

The country between Mere Mere and Rangiriri is open undulating fern land, and presented no serious obstacles to the advance of the troops. The force, unmolested on the march by the natives, arrived in front of the enemy’s position at Rangiriri at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The steamers Pioneer and Avon, with the gunboats, also arrived at about the same time, but owing to the strength of the current and the strong wind blowing, they were unable to take up their proper positions. This unforeseen occurrence caused considerable delay to the General, who, however, commenced shelling the enemy’s works with Capt. Mercer’s two Armstrong guns and the 6-pounder under Lieutenant Alexander, the troops in the meantime being halted under the brow of a hill about 600 yards from the enemy’s advanced works. Some distance up the stream a party of natives crossing in a canoe became a fair target for Lieutenant Alexander’s 6-pounder, who fired a shell, which burst right on the canoe, splitting it into pieces, and leaving the occupants who were not killed struggling in the water. After shelling the enemy’s position for nearly two hours—two out of the four gunboats assisting—although the fire, owing to the nature of the enemy’s earthworks, was not so effective as was expected, General Cameron gave the signal for the assault. The storming party' consisted of detachments of the 65th Regiment, and advanced in the following order: No. 1 Company, under Lieutenant Toker, with scaling ladders and planks, accompanied by Captain Brooke and 10 men of the Roy'al Engineers in the centre; No. 2 Company on the right, under Captain Gresson; and No. 10 Company on the left, under Lieutenant Talbot. No. 9 Company, about too strong, under Lieutenant Pennyfather, formed the support.

Upon the bugles sounding the advance, the storming-party, led by their officers, rushed through the thick ti-tree scrub that lay between them and the enemy’s rifle-pits. Under a heavy fire the ladders were planted, and the storming-party, followed by their supports, burst into the enemy’s works and drove them out of the first line of rifle-pits. In the advance Captain Gresson fell, a ball having fractured his right arm; several men were also killed and wounded. Driven out of the first line of defence, the natives hastily fell back and made a desperate stand in the second line. The storming party', being reinforced, immediately with great gallantry swept over into the second line of entrenchment, dislodging the natives. At the rear if the rifle pits was the main position of the enemy, consisting of a square redoubt with parapets about 20 feet high. Numbers of the Maoris, after having been driven from their rifle pits, fled into the redoubt, whilst a great many attempted to make their escape through Lake Waikare swamp, but suffered severely from the fire of a party' of the 65th under Lieutenant Pennyfather, which pursued them. The outer works having beer, captured, the troops attempted to storm the redoubt, but owing to the shortness of the scaling ladders were unable to gain the parapet in sufficient numbers to ensure success. The natives meanwhile kept up an incessant fire on the stormers, who were reluctantly compelled to fall back under cover of the captured earthworks, after losing many brave men. The 40th at this time had landed from the Pioneer and Avon, and a party under Captain Clarke, attacking a line of rifle pits on a ridge in rear of the enemy’s position, dislodged the natives, who lost heavily. The 40th were supported by a detachment of the 65th, which had moved round from the front attack. General Cameron then gave an order which I believe to be unparalleled in annals of warfare. He directed Captain

Mercer, with a detachment of bis artillerymen, j 6 in number, to assault the inem/s position. At the time over 600 British infantry were lying under cover—as brave men as ever marched on to a battle field. Captain Mercer immediately obeyed the command of his General, and the brave little band, armed each with a sword and revolver, rushed under a murderous fire to the assault. Sergeant-Major Hamilton gained the top of the parapet and discharged his revolver amongst the natives. He was severely wounded in the right arm, which was subsequently amputated. The Artillery, however, were driven back with the loss of their officer and several men. Captain Mercer fell before reaching the redoubt, a ball having struck him in the mouth, cut away part of his tongue and shattered his jaw—it was a mortal wound. 'Although a very strict disciplinarian, and on that account not over popular with many of his men, the service, when he fell, lost a man devoted to his profession, a brave soldier, and an expert artilleryman, and one who could ill be spared by his country.

Commander Mayne, of H.M.s. Eclipse, with 90 seamen, was the next ordered to make an assault, but they, like.the Artillery, were compelled to fall back from the heavy fire kept up by the natives. Mr. Watkins, midshipman, and several men reached the top of the parapet and were shot. Watkins, H.M.s. Curacoa, was shot through the forehead, and fell back into the trench at the foot of the redoubt amongst a crowd of soldiers and sailors who were there protected from the fire of the natives, the shots passing over their heads. Staggering to his feet, Mr. Watkins asked for a drink of water, and directly fell back dead. In the assault Commander Mayne was severely wounded. Captain Mercer for some time lay on the ground where he fell; the spot was particularly exposed to the fire of the enemy, every one passing being struck. At length Lieutenant Pickard and Sergeants Houston and Mackay, under the heavy fire that was kept up, managed to drag their captain under cover, where he was immediately attended to by Assistant-Surgeon Temple. For assisting his commanding officer under a heavy fire Lieutenant Pickard afterwards received the Victoria Cross. It being at this time dark, General Cameron decided not to make any more at-, tempts to capture the enemy’s position until the next morning. The troops were accordingly disposed round the enemy's position so as to prevent their escape; but notwithstanding the precautions taken by the General, numbers of the natives, with most of their wounded, managed during the night to escape through the swamp to Waikare Lake. Amongst the wounded who got away was the chief Te Wharepu, who, although wounded in six places, had, with his blanket wrapped tightly round his bleeding wounds, encouraged his countrymen to continue the fight. During the night the natives kept up a continual fire, all the while shouting and yelling, especially when a shower of hand grenades was thrown over amongst them by the men in the trench outside the redoubt. The wounded were collected and carried on board the Pioneer, where they were attended to by the Regimental surgeons. The dead soldiers and Maoris lay stiff and stark where they fell in the outlying earthworks and on the hillside in front of the redoubt. Shortly before daybreak a party of the Royal Engineers, under the direction of Colonel Mould, C. 8.. commenced to mine under an angle of the redoubt with the intention of blowing up a part of the parapet so as to make a breach. Before the mine was ready, shortly after daybreak, the natives ceased firing and hoisted a white flag as a signal of surrender. (To be Continued.)