THE KETEMARAI SKIRMISH.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 430, 18 October 1866, Page 3

THE KETEMARAI SKIRMISH.

OFFICIAL AOCOOTT. Colonial Defence Office, Wellington, 10th October, 1866. The following despatch from Major M'Donnell, commanding Colonial Forces, Fates, is published for general information. T. M. Haultain. Pates, 4th October, 1866. Sib,— “ln my despatch (No. 94) of the 26th nit. I had the honor to state, for the information of the Honorable the Defence Minister, that the rebels in the vicinity of our position at Te Whe* nuku were becoming so bold and annoying us so much, that unless a blow was inflicted upon them without delay it would be impossible to move outside the redoubt, and also, that notwithstanding the paucity of my numbers and the inclemency of the weather, I determined at all risks to attack them at once.

By dismounting the cavalry, and leaving in the three redoubts occupied by our forces, barely sufficient men to hold them viz.:—at Kakaramea, 25 of all ranks; at Hawera, SO do; at Wfaenuku, 55 do., I was enabled to parade the following force* at Te Whenuku, and marched out of camp at 6 - 30 p,m. From information X had collected, X waa induced to believe that the bulk of the Ngaruahine were located some distance back in the bush between the Waingongora and Inaha rivers, and in a straight line not more than seven miles from our redoubts at To Whenuku, but the late heavy rains had so swollen the Waingongora Fiver that it could only be crossed by the bridge between the two Imperial redoubts near its mouth, thus necessitating a detour of over twelve miles. Of the exact whereabouts of the enemy I had no certain information, but trusted to drop*upon them somewhere. Crossing the bridge at 9 p.m., I marched straight inland, and, after proceeding about seven mSes, entered the bush at X2‘3o a.m., at a point midway between the Inaha and Wai* ngongoro rivers, having passed through the site of the village of Ahipaipu, burnt by Colonel Butler, of the 67 th Regiment, in January last. The night was pitch dark, and we lost our way more than once. A cold bleak wind was blowing and the ground was wet and soft. Notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the behaviour of the men was most exemplary. Pursuing the track through the bush for a mile, we emerged into a clearing, and here halted the force under the shadow of the trees to await daylight, and rest the men. When the first streaks of daylight appeared in the sky I moved on cautiously. The track led through alternate belts of bush and clearing, and across a tributary of the Inaha, and shortly merged into a broad road; following this for some distance, we came in eight of the village of Pangarehu, situated on the other side of a swampy creek, in a clearing intersected by strong cattle fences and containing several large whares, five of which were fortified. As we crossed this creek and were ascending the other side, the dogs began to bark. I immediately ordered the leading sections, under Captain Nowland, to extend from the centre and rush into the village. As we leapt the fences, I called upon the inmates to surrender; they replied by heavy volleys from the doora and windows of the houses. We returned the fire, and rushing the fortified whares, scraped the earth oif the roofs and pulled down the slabs to fire at the inmates. In several instances they ran out of the doors, and, firing their pieces into us, tried to escape into the bosh, but were shot down. In balf-an hour we were masters of the position, and the firing ceased. While engaged in setting fire to the whares, and completing the destruction of the village, a heavy fire was suddenly opened upon us from the bush at the opposite side of the clearing and it gradually increased and extended to our right, toward the road by which we had advanced on the place. As, from the heavy and incessant firing, it was evident that strong reinforcements of the enemy were hurrying up, and we already had three wounded, I determined upon retiring by another track which, led across the Inaha River, and which I made some prisoners we had taken show me. I accordingly extended the whole force along one edge of clearing, aud kept the enemy in check, whilst I collected the wounded. I sent three of them and the prisoners down the track I was about to return along, under strong escort in charge of Sergeant-Major Hall, W.Y.B. I shortly passed the rest of the wounded (who by this time had increase to seven) to the front, and 1 formed a rear guard under Captain Leatham, W.D.F., and sent out flank skirmishers to the left under Ensign Poms, N.G., and to the right under Capt. Kemp, and Lieutenant Wirihana, N.O. These officers did their work so effectually, that the rebels were completely foiled in their attempts to outflank us, and cut off our retreat. They were repeatedly driven back, and lost several of their men, and their who was shot by Poma, and some of their guns; and in a short time they retired altogether, and the firing ceased. On reaching the open, I made stretchers for the wounded, who had hitherto been carried on blankets, and re-crossing the Inaha proceeded to Waingongora. Here I cannot speak too highly of the attention and kindness shown to us by Captain Noblett, 18th Royal Irish commanding the Waingongora Redoubts, and the Assistant-Surgeon Spencer, 18th Roral Irish. %. Captain Noblett sent us carts to convey our wounded across the Waingongora River, and prepared tenia and beds for them, and Dr. Spencer gave his valuable assistance in dressing their wounds. As I have no hospital accommadation at Te Whenuku, and to save the wounded the fatigue of the journey to tbia post, Dr. Spencer baa kindly undertaken to attend to them. The three men returned as dead, expired soon after we reached Waingongoro, where they were interred with funeral honors the following day. Giving the force an hour a rest, X resumed march to Te Whenuku, which I reached at 2'30 p.m, I enclose a list of casualties. In Farrier-Ser-geant 'Duff, W.Y.C., the country has lost a gallant soldier, and I one of my right-hand men. Hia conduct was always most conspicuous, and I deeply regret him. I have conveyed to the force engaged on this oe*. and*?now beg to submit for the favor-

able consideration of the Government the names of Ensign Northcroft, P.R. j Cornet Hirtzell, W.Y.C. j and Surgeon Campbell, W.R., for coolness and intrepidity in removing the wounded under a galling fire to the rear, in doing which Comet Hirtzell, W.Y.C., and Volunteer Wright were wounded; Private Economides, W. 8., for gallantry in connection with the capture of the prisoners; and Ensign Poma, N. 0., and Volunteer Sergeants Rushton and Wright for conspicuous conduct in the repulse of |the Sank attack. The behaviour of Captain Leatham and and his detachment of the W. D. F. was most praiseworthy. Of Captain Newland, Patea Bangers, I cannot speak too highly; he was foremost in every part of the field, in the surprise of the village, the removal of the wounded, and the repulse of the enemy.

The loss of the enemy I estimate at 30 killed; 21 were counted, and others could not be counted, as they were buried in the burning ruins of the houses. -

Eight men and one lad were taken prisoners, and 20 or 30 stand of anas taken or burned in the whares. Some casks of powder were also seen to blow up. The prisoners are in custody at Te Whenuku, and I hope to get valuable information from them. I hare, &c., Thomas MoDonnbid, Major Commanding Colonial Forces, Patea District. Captain Holt, Under Secretary, Colonial Defence Office Wellington. List of officers, non-commissioned officers and men wounded at Pungarehu, on the morning of the 2nd October, 1866. WOUNDED (SINCE DEAD). Sergeant Duff, W.Y.C., right neck, mortally, since dead. Private Green, W.R., chest, mortally wounded, since dead. Volunteer Wright, right knee joint, mortally, since dead. 66 J WOUNDED, Cornet Hirtzell, W.Y.C., right shoulder, severely. Trooper Noonal, W.Y.C., hip, severely. Volunteer Spencer, both legs, severely. Private Monebira, N.C., left thigh severely. J. B. F. Sctthke, M. 8., Assistant-Surgeon, Local Forces, Patea, District.. Ketemarai, 3rd October, 1866. ♦Staff—field officer, 1; surgeon, 1. P, &W. Rangers—captain I; subaltern, 1 ; sergeant, 1; rank and file, 40. W.Y. Cavalry—subaltern, 1 sergeants, 2; rank and file, 12. W.D. Force —captain, I j sergeant, X j rank and file, 10. N.O.—captain, I j subalterns, 3; sergeants, 2 j rank and file, 44u . Volunteers—sergeants 5. Totals—field officer, 1; surgeon, 1; captains, 3; subalterns, 5 ; sergeants, 11; rank and file, 160. Total, all ranks, 127.