The Waikato War, 1863-4

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 13, 27 March 1912, Page 50

The Waikato War, 1863-4

By

JOHN FEATON.

CHA I’l'ER XXXV.— (Continued.) The following is the official account of the capture of Orakau:— ‘ Camp, Te Awamutu, April 3, 1864: Str.—l have the honour to state, for the information of the Lieutenant-Gen-eral commanding the forces, that about mid-day on the 30th ult. it was reported to me by Lieutenant-Colonel Haultain, commanding the Kihikihi Redoubt, that natives were seen in force at the village of Orakau, about two and a-half to three miles distant from his post. I immediately rode over and made a reconnaissance. Found that the natives were engaged building a pa, and as it was then too late in the day to attack at once. I returned to this camp and made arrangements to march on the enemy’s position during the night. Captain Baker. 18th Royal Irish (Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General), fortunately found two men in the camp—Messrs. Gage and W. Astlc—whom from their local knowledge I at once engaged as guides, which circumstance enabled me to determine on a combined movement. My plan of attack was to advance with the main body along the dray road to Oragau; to detach a force of 230 men under Major Blythe, 40th Regiment, who would take a circtiitour route through a somewhat difficult country, crossing and re-crossing the Puniu River, and, marching on my right flank, to take the enemy’s position in reverse; and thirdly, to draw a force of 160 men from Rangiaowhia and Haeirini under Captain BlOwitt, 63th Regiment, who would march across to the enemy’s position on my left, the three bodies of troops arriving, if possible, simultaneously before the enemy’s stronghold shortly before daylight. At midnight Major Blythe. 40th Regiment, marched with 230 men, with" directions to take the road to the right, to cross and recross the Puniu River, and to gain the rear of the enemy's position" before daylight, halting there until lie should hear my attack, and then to dispose of his force so as to cut off the retreat of the enemy. The road from Rangioawhia to Orakau I found on inquiry to be very difficult. being intercepted by deep swamp and thick bush. However, having e'-ery confidence in Captain Blewitt's energy, I directed that officer, who commands at Rangiaowhia. to march during the night and endeavour to form a junction with me before daylight on the proper right of the enemy’s position, bringing with him too men. At three o’clock on Thursday morning, the 31st, I marched with the main body along the dray road to Kihikihi, taking on Lieutenant-Colonel Haultain and 130 men from that post, and then proceeded by the same road to the village of Orakau. which J reached without opposition as the day dawned. The enemy, evidently taken by surprise, opened fire on the advance guard—composed of 120 of the Royal Irish and 20 of the Forest Rangers, gallantly led by Captain King, 18th Royal Irish, and supported by too of the 40th Regiment, who immediately rushed forward to the attack in skirmishing order. The position being found very' strong, an earthwork with strong defences, deep ditches with posts and rails outside, and nearly' covered from view with flax bushes, peach trees, and high fern—-this party' were forced to retire: but it at once re-formed, and. being reinforced by' another company’ of the 40th Regiment. again tried to take the place by' assault, but with no better success- Here Captacin Ring. 18th Royal Irish, fell mortally wounded, and Captain Fischer, 40th Regiment, severely so, besides four men killed and several wounded. On Captain Ring’s falling. Captain Baker, 18th Royal Irish (Deputy Adjutant-Gen-era! >, most gallantly' galloped up. dismounted, and. calling for volunteers, again endeavoured to carry the place by assault. This also failed. Finding that there was no chance of taking the pa in this manner, from the immense strength, and other men having fallen, I determined to desist from this mode of attack: and having heard that both Major Blythe, 40th Regiment, and Captain Blewitt were at their appointed posts. I decided on surrounding the place and adopting the more slow but sure method of approaching the position by sap. which was shortly after commenced under the very able direction of Lieutenant Hurst. 12th Regiment, attached to the Royal Engineers Department. At this time Lieutenant Carre, Royal Artillery, endeavoured to effect a breach in the enemy’s works, but could make no impression upon it. A further supply of entrenching tools and gabions (which latter had most fortunately been prepared at the neighbouring posts for service at headquarters on the Horatiu) were immediately ordered up with the men’s blankets, fooct etc., ami every possible precaution taken by the proper disposition of the force to prevent the escape of the enemy. During the afternoon a reinforcement of some 150 or 200 of the enemy, from the direction of Mangatautari, appeared in sight, evidently’ determined on relieving the place. They advanced to a bush situated about 900 yards in rear of our outposts, but seeing that it was scarcely possible to break through the line formed by our troops, they halted and commenced firing volleys, at the same time exciting the men in the pa to increased energy, by' dancing the war dance, shouting, etc. I he wounded were sent on to Te Awamutu and Kihikihi. The sap was pushed forward vigorously, and the troops, so posted as to prevent any possibility *of escape by the natives during the night. Heavy firing was kept up by the enemy on the troops both in the sap and around the place during the day and night, causing but few casualties, the men contriving to cover themselves in temporary rifle pits, dug out with their bayonets and hands. A reinforcement of 200 men. under the command of Captain Inman, 18th Royal Irish, reached me from headquarters during the afternoon. Having reported my proceedings to the commander of the forces in the morning. I was glad tn receive a reinforcement sent by him (148, of 12th Regiment ). and guided by Captain Greaves. Deputy Assistant Quartermaster- General, which arrived ahottt daylight ’ on the morning of April I, and which enabled me to relieve the mtn in the sap more constantly, and therefore to

carry on the work more quickly. Captain Greaves ever afforded me materia! assistance in the duties of the department. This day was spent in working at the sap and making rifle pits around the pa, few casualties occurring. Captain Betty, Royal Artillery, arrived during the day and assumed command of the Royal Artillery, which enabled Lieutenant Carre to render some assistance to Lieutenant Hurst in constructing the sap, he having been at it without intermission.

During the night a few of the enemy were perceived trying to effect an escape from the pa. but, being immedately fired upon, returned to their earthwork. I omitted to mention that Captain Betty, Royal Artillery, threw some well directed shells at the Maori reinforcement in the bush and on the hills, which evidently disconcerted them considerably. At an early hour on the morning of the and April, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Havelock, Bart- (Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General), arrived with the hand grenades, which were at once thrown into the enemy's position with great effect by Sergeant McKay. Royal Artillery., who thus rendered good and gallant service at great personal risk, under a galling fire. About noon I ordered Captain Betty, Royal Artillery, to have a six-pounder Armstrong gun carried into the sap. an entrance having been made. It opened fire on the enemy’s work, destroying the palisading, making a considerable breach and silencing in a great measure the fire of the enemy on the men engaged at the head of the sap. The commander of the force, with his staff, etc., arrived on the ground at this time, and witnessed the remainder of the operations. Colonel Mould, C. 8.. Royal Engineers, coming up with General Cameron, gave his able assistance towrads the completion of the sap into the enemy’s work. As it was known that women and children were in the pa. the enemy was called upon to surrender previous to the concentrated fire of the Armstrong gun and hand grenades on their work. They were told that their lives would be spared, and if they declined they were requested at least to have compassion on their women and children, and send them out. They replied that they would not do so. but would fight to the last. The pa was then carried. The enemy, effecting his escape from the opposite side of the work, dashed through a space from which the troops had been thrown back under cover, to enable the gun to open. They were, however, speedily followed up, and suffered a severe loss during the pursuit of nearly six miles. Lieutenant Rait. Royal Artillery, with his troopers, and Captain Pye, Colonial Defence Force, with a small detachment, having headed them and kept them back until the infantry came up. I regret to say that in the pa and in the pursuit some three or four women were killed unavoidably, probably owing to the similarity of dress of both men and women, and their hair being cut equally short, rendering it impossible to distinguish one from the other at any distance. The troops were recalled about sundown, and bivouacked round the enemy’s late position. At an early hour this morning I caused diligent search to be made for the killed and wounded of the enemy. Their loss was considerable, amounting to ioi killed, besides 18 to. 20 reported by native persons as buried in the pa;. 26 wounded and taken prisoners, and 7 unwounded taken prisoners. In addition to this number, the natives were seen to be engaged carrying off dead and wounded early in the morning at the most distant point of pursuit, and fresh tracks showed that they had been similarly occupied during the night. I beg to bring to the special notice of the Lieutenant-General commanding the forces the gallant bearing of Captain Baker, 18th Royal Irish (Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General), during the whole of the operations,* but more especially on the occasion already mentioned of the fall of that brave and lamented soldier. Captain Ring. Also, the determined bravery of Captain Herford. Waikato Militia, who was very severely wounded (loss of eye), and the gallantry of Lieutenant Harrison, Waikato Militia, both of whom remained at the head of the sap nearly the whole time, keeping down the fire of the enemy by the well directed balls of their own rifles. Likewise of Sergeant McKay, Royal Artillery, who, as before mentioned, under a galling fire, threw, with the greatest precision and coolness, hand grenades from the sap and from the lodgment made in the outer work of the enemy into his stronghold. The wounded received the greatest possible attention on the field from the senior medical officer. Dr White. 65th Regiment; ably seconded by AssistantSurgeons Spenser. 18th Royal Irish, Jules, 40th Regiment, and Tilston, R.N., until the arrival of Dr. Moiiat, C.B:, V.C., the P.M.0., who left nothing undone in providing for their comfort, etc. I trust the conduct of the officers and men under my command during this long operation of three days and two nights, without cover and constantly under fire, may meet with the approval of the Commander of.the Forces. ; 'Hie casualties on our side—l 6 killed and 52 wounded, of which I enclose a return—are, I regret to say, severe. GEORGE J. CAREY, Brigadier-Generak The Assistant Military Secretary, (To be eontiwiad.)