DESPATCH OF GENERAL CAMERON.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 83, 21 August 1863, Page 3

DESPATCH OF GENERAL CAMERON.

Quarters, Queen's Redoubt, 3rd August. Sir, — I have the honor to inform your Excellency that on the night of the Ist instant I left the Queen's Redoubt wilh a force of about 700 men, including a party of seamen and marines of H.M.S. Hairier, for the purpose of reconnoitering the villages of Paparoa and Paparata, where I had reason to believe that a large body of rebels had collected. Captain Sullivan, commanding H.M.S. Harrier, accompanied the f.iroe. After a fatiguing night march, the last mile of which was through very high and thick scrub, we reached Paparoa about daybreak, and found it entirely deserted, ] though it had evidently been recently occupied, and I have little doubt that the natives had received some notice of our movements. Afrer searching this village we proceeded along a bush track, which I was afterwards informed lead to liaurake, having missed the track to Paparata. Some natives, concealed so far within the bush on our right as to be perfectly invisible, opened (ire on the leading files, } and wounded si soldier or the 12th Regiment. We replied to their fire for some time, but as, from the character of the bush and scrub near it, it was impossible to get within reach of them, and I did not consider it advisable to lose time in searching for a tiack. I withdrew the force leisurely, without any attempt on the part of the natives to follow us. When we had reached the open ground, a large body of natives came down from ihe ranges, and joining the party in the bush, commenced a rapid and continuous fire of musketry, in the most absurd manner, as though they had been closely engaged with an enemy ; although at that time we must have been fully a mile and a-half from them. The troops returned to Queen's Redoubt about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, having been under arms since half past seven the previons evening, and having marched nearty thirty miles. I have eviry reason to be satisfied with the cheerful manner in which this arduous duty was performed by the troops, and with the condnct of all the officers and men composing the force, particularly of the detachment of the I2th liegi* ment, under Major Miller, for the bold and intelligent manner in which they covered the advance over difficult ground. I have the honor lo be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, D. A. Cameron, Lt,- General. His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c, &c,