TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH PROM GENERAL CAMERON, RANGIRIRI, TO THE GOVERNOR, AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 4 December 1863, Page 6 (Supplement)

TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH PROM GENERAL CAMERON, RANGIRIRI, TO THE GOVERNOR, AUCKLAND.

21st November, 1863. We assaulted the enemy’s entrenched position at Eangariri at 4 - 30 p.m. on the 20th, and carried it after a desperate engagement. 1 regret to say our loss is severe. Lieut. Murphy, 12th, and Midshipman Watkins, R.N., and 35 men killed, 13 officers and 80 men wounded, including Colonel Austin, 14th Regiment., Captain Mayne, Lieutenants Alexander, Downes, and Hotham, R.N., Captain Mercer, R.A., Capt. Phelps, 14th Regiment., Capt. Gresson, Lieut. Talbot, Lieut. Chevalier Adjt. Lewis, Gsth, Captain Brooks, R.E., Ensign Ducrow, 40th Regt.: the greater part severely. The enemy fought with the greatest determination, and held the strongest part of his position during the whole night; being completely surrounded and cut olf, they surrendered unconditionally at 5 - 30 a.tn. this day 183 in number are now prisoners of war; amongst them several chiefs of note. Enemies’ loss has not yet been ascertained, but is known to be very great. A party of 400, under William Thompson, approached the position from the East, with a flag of truce after the surrender, but his people were opposed, and went back ; he has sent in his Mere by the interpreter, with what object I am not aware. The king was present at Rangariri, and escaped during the night by swimming across the swamp, as did several others. Total number of enemy present at engagement not known.