IMPORTANT FROM WANGANUI!!
CAPTURE OP THE PUTAHI PA—l3 HAU-HAUS KILLED !!! SEVERAL OF OUR MEN WOUNDED AND ONE KILLED! IMPORTANT FROM PATEA !! (From tlio Correspondent of the Wanganui Times.) Patea, January 8, 1860. Ox Saturday the 6th instant, tlio force under command of Major-General Chute, marched from Makotuhu to attack a rebel pa in the neighborhood of Putu About II ft.m. the troops arrived at a hill about a mile from the pa and encamped.
Soon after the Hau-hau flag was hoisted half-mast high in defiance, and about one hundred and fifty paraded in front of the pa. In the afternoon about thirty of them crept through the bush to within easy range of the Camp, opened and kept up a continuous fire on the camp, which was ably and well returned by a detachment of the Native Contingent. One man on our side was wounded slightly in the shoulder. The casualties on the enemies side are not known.
The pa is situated on a piece of table land (about 20 acres), 12 miles south-east of Patea, and named Putahi. The surrounding country is very broken, thickly wooded with a dense growth of underwood. Prom the camp the pa seemed strongly fortified, earthworks having been thrown up in front, and on the right and left. The whares also were fortified with logs of wood packed in earth. The rear of the pa opened into a deep gully thickly timbered and difficult to pas* through. The General, thinking that the field force was not strong enough to attack the pa, sent to Patea for reinforcements; and in the evening a detach* ment of thelSth and 50th regiments arrived. At onea.m. on Sunday, the 7th instant, the force left the camp, and after four hours’ heavy march arrived in the neighborhood of the pa. There is a road by which we could have reached it in forty minutes, but it was thought dangerous to proceed by it. As the Imperial troops arrived they were thrown out in skirmishing order in front under cover of heavy form. The daring Forest Bangers were ordered to take up their position on the left flank ; this they did, and soon threw themselves out in skirmishing order within two hundred yards of the pa. The rebels immediately opened fire on them which they ably returned. Meanwhile the Native Contingent took np its position on the right, in order cut ofl the retreat from the pa. The troops then charged the pa most gallantly, and the rebels, evidently thinking that the only force opposed to them were the Forest Banger* and a few friendly Maoris, became confused and retreated down the gully at the rear. The Contingent gave them chase, and were soon followed up by the military and Forest Rangers ; a heavy fire was then kept up on both sides for about twenty minutes. Meanwhile the rebels continued to retreat across a plantation of potatoes, in area about eight acres. When the firing ceased 13 dead rebels were found, but their loss must have been much greater than that. The casualties on our side are comparatively small, being only one killed and six wounded. The are as follows: KILLED. Corporal Philpots, 50th Eegimoat WOCMDED. Henry Camp hell, private in the Forest Hangers, slightly in the left thigh Malcolm, severely in tho left leg Eramia, sergeant in the Maori Militia, severely in. the right buttock John Thompson, private In the 14th Eegiment, slightly in the right cheek Eohert Martin, slightly in left log It is feared that poor Malcolm will lose his leg. He is a daring fellow in the field ; quiet in camp, and respected by all Iris comrades. It is expected that Major McDonnell will be sufficiently recovered to take command again within a fortnight from now.
The friends of Ensign Gudgeon will bo sorry to hear that he met with an accident on the 7th inst, while putting his revolver into the case. The trigger caught in some way, and went off, the bullet entering his left thigh and passing through the fleshy part without further injury. His medical attendant is of opinion that in two or thrca weeks he will be able to return to duty. I forward a copy of the Garrison Orders read out after the force returned to camp yesterday, and I may add that the feeling expressed therein by the General is fully reciprocated by every olflcer and soldier in the camp.
GENERAL ORDERS. Field Force, Camp Puti, 7th January, 1866. The Major-General Commanding is at a loss to find words sufficient to express his thanks to the Field Force engaged against the formidable pa of Puiahi this morning, after a harrassing march of four hours through dense bush and forest, and up and down almost perpendicular ravines. The Major-General was proud to see' the forca advance against the pa, nearly inaccessible to troops, with as much coolness and precision as if on their private parade; and afterwrds charge it in the most gallant and spirited manner when within about 80 yards of it. Such conduct proves that no troops can cope with those of Great. .Britain ; and the Major-General begs earnest r to to thank Lieut. Carey, Com. H.M.R.A.; Lieut.Colonel Trevor commanding detachment H.M. 14th Regiment; Maj< r Rocke, 18th Royal Irish ; Captain Johnson, commanding detachment H.M. 50th Regiment ; Major Yon Tcmpsky, commaning Forest Rangers; Major M’Donnell, Native Contingent, and the officers, non-commissioned officers and men under their respective commands, for their brave and soldier-like conduct. Also Dr Gibb, Deputy Inspector of Hospitals, and his staff, for their sval, energy,, and attention upon the occasion. The Major-General regrets that ho in deprived of the services of a gallant officer, namely, that of Mnjor M'Donnell, Commanding Native Contingent, by a severe wound, but ha trusts ouly for a short time. The force under the command of Major Rocke, 18th Royal Irish, will parade at five o’clock tomorow morning and return to their post. The Deputy-Inspector will be good enough to make arrangements for the wounded proceeding to Patea with Major Rocke’s force to-morrow. Ry order, E. Smith, D.-A.-A.-G. NATITE LETTER. Translation of a letter from one of the Kupapa* - to Irani, the Native Policeman
Wbeauataira, January 7, 1863. Triend, salutations! X write to inform you of our battle at Te Putalisl About eight o'clock at night wo started, and at eight o'clock on the following morning we assaulted the pa. We chased the Hau-haus into the bush. We killed thirteen of them. The name of their leader was Wairi. We recognised him clearly. (Wairi is a son of Pehimana, who surrendered at Wereroa.) The loss on our side is two wounded. Major M'Sonnell in the foot, and Gramiha in the back. The pakehas had four wounded and one killed. Ended, Trom Host Mdtuvutxo. (From soother Correspondent.) Fatea, January Bth, 1866. Bear Sir, —I have only j ust returned from camp before Putaki, and am writing hard to catch the steamer. On Sunday last, four Maoris rode post haste into Patea with despatches from G-eneral Chute, ordering out reinforcements to attack the rebels’ stronghold—the pa at Putahi. In an hour or two after the arrival of the despatches some 300 of us moved off in high spirits and fighting order. The ravines and gullies which we crossed are indescribable —some might some might say impassable, but seeing that having started at two a.m. on Sunday, and that we took up our position in front of the pa at 7'45 a.m. It is clear that we both climbed, rolled and scrambled over the distance in a hot haste which nothing but the prospect of a brush with the enemy could have inspired. The General immediately formed his plan of attack. The detachment of the Boyal Irish on right, under command of Major Bocke. Lieut. Marsland and Minnitt leading the two companies. Detachment H.M. 14th regt. in the centre, under Colonel Trevor, and Captains Vivian and Furneaus; H.M. 50th on the left, under Captain Johnson and Ensign Hunt. This force numbered about 350 regulars. The Native Contingent took up a position on the right flank, to cut off the retreat of the enemy, and the Forrest Bangers on the left flank for the same purpose. No sooner in position tnan the cheering note from the General’s bugle—advance—reverberated from hill to dale. A splendid line was maintained, notwithstanding the roughness of the ground and the enemy’s fire. We returned not a shot until within 50 yards of the earth work—then bayonets were lowered to the charge and the pa was rushed with genuine British cheers. The enemy responded with one more ill directed volley and then upon the principle that “ he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day,” took to their heels, hotly pursued by the Native Contingent and Forest Bangers. Thirteen of them “ bit the dust,” hut the number wounded or who may die of their
wounds it is impossible to ascertain. Meantime Captain Johnson of the 50th rushed forward to the Pai Marire flag, and a private of the 14th
hauled it down amidst loud cheers. The mast 'shortly followed and was burnt, as was also the native village. ■■ Our loss was one killed and eight .wounded—none dangerously, Major M‘Donnell r is severely wounded but doing well. Ensign Gudgeon accidentally wounded himself, but is also doing well. The 18th Royal Irish and H.M. 50th returned to Eatea this morning. The General and remainder of the troops are expected in tomorrow. Thus we made short, sharp, and effective work of it and you may rest assured General Chute’s plan of operation is such aa will speedily clear the country of rebels, and teach the Hauhaus to respect British powers. The steamer whistles aud will soon, be off. ARRIVAL of the GUNDAGAI eeom PATEA. (From the Wanganui Times, 12th January.) At 6 p.m. yesterday the Gundagai reached the wharf—three of the wounded, Ensign Gudgeon, and two of the Native Contingent were on board. A large crowd of anxious inquirirs assembled on the wharf, and every item of intelligence was eagerly passed from one to another. There we noticed a little incident worthy of being recorded. There was a group of individuals on the landing place when Mr Buller, R.M., called for volunteers to take the wounded maoris to the hospital, about a mile from the wharf. The whole crowd almost simultaneously stepped forward and offered their service*. “Actions speak louder than words,” and that little episode affords an answer to much that has been said about the “ enmity of races." Dr Eeatberston—as wo intimated in our last issue—has taken the field and accompanies the Native Contingent. CAPTURE OE OKOTUKU ON THE 4th JANUARY, 1866. The Wanganui Times, 12th January, saya ; — The following ably written account of the march upon and capture of Okotuku on the 4th instant, written by an esteemed correspondent, supplies a missing link in the history of the present campaign ' a nd will be read with much interest. Between two confluents of the Waitotara and Wineuira, a densely wooded ridge rears its shaggy crest from abysmal gorges. On one of its shapest spurs might be seen something like a clearing, over which once smoke used to hover morning, evening, and at mid-day. There lay the nest whence the Hau-hau vultures issued when about to pounce upon some defenceless prey; there lay Okotuku. Thence the Wereroa pa can he seen, and all the country round lies like a map before you. Nothing can stir but you can see it,, and at your back you have the endless labyrnth of era o, and forest wilderness whereto no one but its own Hau-hau denizen has got the guiding skein. A gradually rising plateau of four ridges, dotted here and there with clumps of forest, shading the deeper gullies, extends along the-foot of the inland forest mountains. Extensive plantations once occupied the fern land nearest to the forest region; that neighborhood is called Ngamuiu.
There, on the 3rd January, a column of friendly natives, and a column of regulars and irregulars, approaching by different routes met under MajorGeneral Chute’s orders. On that day Major M'Donnell, accompanied by Dr Featherston, proceeded to reconnoitre Okotnku with the Native Contingent and Kupapas, A few stray shots from some scouts were fired at them, but no further opposition was made to their entering the Tillage j it seemed as if the inhabitants had either taken to their heels or were absent on some tour. No fortification was reported to be extant, except those that nature had richly provided the place
On the 4th, at half-past eight a.m., a column of natives, Begulars and Forest Bangers, numbering about 200 in all, started from Ngamntu for Okotnku. General Chute, Major Pitt, Captain Leach, Mr Strickland, and Dr Featherston accompanied the expedition. No one knew exactly what was to be done, as no instructions had been given to officers commanding detachments; the general belief was that a more complete destruction of crops and habitations than had been effected the day previous was to be the main object of the expedition. This illusion was, however, shortly dispelled. The natives, who marched at the head of the column, had hardly been lost sight of in the second belt of bush before a few shots and then some rapid firing changed the aspect of the day. Everybody now doubled forward to the scene of action. There was now no mistake that the denizens of Okotuku had made good use of the night to get up their combative spirit aud their defensive operations at the same time. The ascent to the pa is steep and wooded. The top of the proper Okotuku ridge is comparatively level, and forms one entire plantation of potatoes, kumaras and taro neatly subdivided by ornamental fences of curved supplejack running along the paths, looking more like the the handiwork of some young maiden than that of a cannibal Hauhau. The forest that fringes the precipitous sides overtops the sides of the plateau, and the whole Kainga is formed of two elongated squares at the right angles to. one another, in the furthest of which the whares were said to be situated. The Maori Contingent and Kupapas skirmished along the fringe of the forest on the edges, availed themselves of the numberless stumps in the plantation, and fired away with that zest that all noisy people delight in; their European officers, as usual, doing all the actual pushing work. The Bangers came next to the scene of action, and forged along the edge of the plantation to get towards the rear of the pa, or palisading, which was just visible in the furthest comer, whence a pretty heavy Hau-hau fire was kept up with considerable enthusiasm, considering the circumstances. In the meantime the detachment, of H. M. 14th regiment, under Captain Yivian, was ordered to advance and charge, which they did in gallant style, and in a short time a mixed crowd of all arms and colors were inside the palisading, whence the former occupants had absconded by sliding down some of the less precipitous sides ; for them a prudent and wholesome proceeding, but to their assailants rather a matter of regret. The Forest rangers, under Major Ton Tempsky, gave pursuit, and after some time returned, having shot one Haubau and discovered that their tracks were too much scattered to follow them up with any chance of success. Some of that New Zealand “ loot” renowned for its intrinsic value fell into their hands as they discovered tl o hidingplaces of some Hau-han treasure. The Native Contingent, else sent in pursuit in a different direction, made the most important capture of the day—the head chief of Okotuku (brother to Pehimana, I believe.) The natives wanted to execute summary justice on him, but were prevented. On the whole the day was more successful, and the prestige that General Chute has established clearly proves the fact that the Imperial troops cau reach and capture the most remote and strongly fortified Hau-hau stronghold in the colony. This will do much to create in the minds of the natives a salutary dread of and respect for a British soldier who, when ably commanded, is at all times an overmatch for more than an equal number of the most daring of their boasting warriors. Never, until confronted by General Chute, did the Ngatiruanuis respect or dread a British soldier. Dr Featherston’s presence and exertions with the friendly Maoris should be seen to be appreciated. His influence over them is unbounded, and by this example he shows them how to bear up under hardships an privation. Our column has four wounded, all of H.M. 14th regiment: one officer, Lieutenant Keogh, and three privates. None of the wounds are dangerous. One poor fellow, however, has had his leg taken off already, but seems to be quite of the “ Mark Tapley” breed.
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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 343, 22 January 1866, Page 2
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2,813IMPORTANT FROM WANGANUI!! Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 343, 22 January 1866, Page 2
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