THE AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 49, 5 June 1862, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS.

cautiously, led by Captain Hammond, and, in concert with the Richmond men, arrived close to the ground whore Captain Martin had attacked the bridges. Nearly the whole force of the East Collingwood Company being engaged in front, the Kew and Hawthorn very cleverly managed to drive in the sentinels posted on the lines in the rear, whose shots and alarm were unheard through the din in front, and the thick timber and darkness of the night; they forced their way into the camp before the alarm could reach the reserve party drawn up behind the combatants at the bridge. This disaster was not known until, the Richmond men had been finally foiled at * the gate; when the East Collingwood were quickly formed, and charged down upon the camp in extended order. A heavy fire now took place between the latter, endeavouring to recover then' camp, and the Kew and Hawthorn Company, who were in possession of it. Captain Sir E. Murphy surrounded the camp with liis men, and forced his way into it both in front and rear, the Hawthorn and Kew holding the centre ; but at this point he forbade a further conflict; his men were excited by their disaster, and being far more numerous than the Hawthorn andjfKew Company it w r as feared that accident might occur in the great darkness, all the lights in the camp being extinguished on the first alarm. Positive orders were given not to attempt to force the Hawthorn men out, as it would have beeen a hand-to-hand encounter, and the men reluctantly drew back. By this time the Richmond men were allowed to pass through the gate, and they marched also down to the camp, when the three companies fraternised, piled arms, and enjoyed themselves for a while. The -wounds of some few were addressed by Assistant-surgeon Whitcomb, of the East Collingwood. These wore not of much importance, and not sufficient to mar the now general harmony. The three companies then formed in line, fired a volley, gave three cheers for each other, and the two stranger companies marched off, the East Collingwood Company standing with presented arms. Yesterday morning, the East Collingwood Rifles struck their tents at half-past five o’clock, and marched back to town headed by then’ band, after a mreo uay s useful and enjoyable encampment.

(From the Melbourne Argus, March 26.) About half-past ten o’clock, on Monday night, the East Collingwood Rifle Company, encamped in Stedley Park, were attacked by the Richmond and the Hawthorn and Kew Rifle companies. The East Collingwood had sufficient time to seize the approaches of the Studley Bridge by which the Richmond Rifles advanced. The latter approached silently until challenged by the East Collingwood advanced sentinels, and, not replying, were fired upon by the sentinels, which brought up the picket, who seized the approach of the bridge on the park side, closed the gates, and maintained a heavy fire, holding the post until the arrival of reinforcements from the comp. The picket being reinforced, a heavy fire took place between them and the Richmond Rifles, who had gallantly, under these unfavorable circumstances, advanced across the bridge in columns of sections; when the leading section neared the gate, both sides almost fired into each other’s faces, and after deploying into line as well as the nature of the narrow approach would allow, Capt. Martin gave the word to charge and storm the gate. Then ensued a conflict never before witnessed by our volunteers The Richmond men boldly threw themselves upon the gate, endeavoring to climb over it or force it, but they were as boldly met by the Collingwood men, and a hand-to-hand encounter took place the men with their rifles and the officers with their swords ; some heavy blows were given and taken in good parts on both sides, and when the men, waxing warm, were beginning to defend and attack with something more than energy of play Captain Sir Francis Murphy and Captain Martin rushed betweeen them, and restored the ranks. The object of the contest was twice forced open, and twice each oners were taken, but the East Collingwood held good the post until the reserve was brought and drawn up some distance behind the scene of the conflict, when the Richmond men seeing the hopelessness of being able to take the gate, and cross the bridge, drew back out of fire. While this was going on in the front, a heavy disaster befel the East Collingwood men in the rear, tne jnawthom and Kew Company, who, wholly unexpected, had advanced by the Kew road