GREAT ENGAGEMENT BEYOND THE GATE PA.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 20, 16 July 1864, Page 3

GREAT ENGAGEMENT BEYOND THE GATE PA.

SPLENDID VICTOET BY OUE TEOOPS. THE PA CAPTURED, AND THE ENEMY COMPLETELY EOUTED. {From the Correspondent of the Southern Cross, June 21 .) Having just learnt that H.M. s.s. 'Esk' is to leave for Auckland in a few minutes, I am enabled to send you a few scraps of information respecting the spirited engagement between our troops and the rebels, which took place to-day, about noon, at a position about four miles beyond the Gate Pa. The rebels had commenced the erection of a new pa, on. a narrow neck of land having deep gullies on three sides, and on the fourth side intercepting the road so frequently traversed of late by the Defence Force on expeditions. A force of 400 infantry and cavalry, with one 6-pounder gun, started this morning, at eight o'clock, under Colonel Greer, for the purpose of dislodging them ; and nobly have they effected their object. The rebels were the first to assume the offensive— their out-sentries firing upon the column as it advanced along the level plain. Skirmishers were thrown out, and the^.6-pounder placed in position on a slight eminence, about 500 yards from the rifle pits. The skirmishers and rebels in the pits exchanged shots for some time, but without much injury on our side, the only two soldiers wounded being Private Patrick Crowley, 68th, shot in the eye, and Nathaniel Corey, 43rd, in the left leg. Lieutenant Palmer, A.D.C. to Colonel Greer, was hit in the neck by a spent ball, and knocked off his horse ; but the injury is fortunately reported to be slight, and later in the day he was enabled to resume his duties. Beinforcements was sent for to Te Papa, both infantry, guns, and mortars ; tut before they arrived it had been determined to charge the position, the gallant Colonel having been induced to give orders to that effect from the impatient demands of the 43rd and 68th Regts. to be permitted to storm the works. The bugles then sounded the advance, and with a tremendous cheer, making the hills re-echo again, the 43rd, 68th, and Waikato Militia, made a rush forward in admirable , order, and with precision, to the several points of assault. The rebels in the pits then poured out a tremendous volley at the troops advancing, and from the dense mass of beings rushing forward it was impossible for any spectator not to believe the. whole would have been swept to the earth.. Suspense, however, as to the fate of the assault was of but a few minutes' duration ; and as the smoke was carried away by the slight breeze then preya ;i ing the soldiers were observed to have passed to the right corner of the position, and behind the rifle pits and parapets. Those advancing in front of the position were quickly in possession of the rifle-pits, and again the cheers 1 Trent up to the heavens from those in 'the occupation of the pa as well as the supports and reserves ■who had watched from a distance the spirited encounter. The whole affair, from the bugles Bounding the advance, to the pa being in our'posf cession, only. seemed to occupy a few seconds pf time ; and then the cry arose to follow the retreating enemy. The Defence Corps, which had been ■within a hundred yards of the pa awaiting their time to arriveV then dashed forward and quickly came up with, iiie ' poor , wretches flying to the gullies, knowing that in.CTbssing them they woiild l)efmpre;t|^ J a ;^ijcJi' ! fOT horsemen. ,T^ loading' c^tme^Howe^ the fugitives, aha Boldiera alsp coming forward in

*&fie :'puraui^"great fslauglltermust have tak'eh'place. The Colonial Defence' jforce followed the rebels for a distance of about ten miles, and are said to have rendered a good account of those they met by the way. The pa being in. our possession, those soldiers not following in' the pursuit of the Maoris were, directed to search, for the bodies of those killed, wounded, or hiding in : the gullies and swamps on the line of retreat, and a large number were picked Up in this manner, who would otherwise have escaped' during the night, or, if dead, remained there 'without a proper burial. The dead rebels found were placed in three long lines . near, the pa, and by a friend who counted them lam informed there were 120. The wounded and prisoners; will number near iipon thirty. Amongst the dead, 'the body of Rawiri is said to have been discovered. It will be remembered this chief had the direction of affairs at Gate pa; and another leading chief of this district said to be killed is -Tinioti. A very great number of arms thrown away by the rebels have been recovered ; but how many of the enemy were present on the first appearance of the troops cannot be said. A great number of the rebels left the pa as the troops firstcame in sight, and it was thought the pa was generally deserted, until the discharge _of a heavy volley at a body of skirmishers. It is impossible to state our loss correctly or even approximately. The dead and woimded are being carried in ; but until to-morrow. a list cannot be obtained. Capi tains Trent and Casement, 68th, arc wounded; and also Captains Smith and Bernards, 43rd. The privates killed are said to number about ten ; number of wounded not known, though said to be few, comparatively to Maori loss. Whilst the engagement was going on, word was brought to the Colonel that it was intended to make an attack upon Te Papa, whilst a feint attack was made at the pa which had fallen into our hands. The feint, however, was turned into a reality, and to be prepared for all comers at Te Papa the Naval Brigade came on shore, and all the troops remaining in camp were placed under arms ready for an attack. The Maoris, however, never came. The last news brought in front is that the number of Maori bodies collected, killed and wounded, has been counted at 204. I much regret that the short notice I have had of the departure of the ' Esk ' will not permit me giving any other than a hurried account of such a victory. The following is a list, as complete as we can make it at present, of killed and wounded :— Killed. — 98th Regiment : 3 privates. 43rd , Regiment : 1 corporal and 4 privates. Wounded. — 68th Regiment : 24 officers and privates, j 43rd Regiment : 13 officers and privates. The name of the place where the engagement took place, as given by our correspondent, is Te Tauinata-i-a Hui, on the road leading to Kahakaharoa. Amongst the Maoris killed are : Rawiri Tuaia, chief (before mentioned) : Paihipi, chief of Whakatohea ; Kaingarara, of Ngatimataku, Eotorua. | Many of the killed were strangers. Among the wounded was Te Tera ; and amongst the prison- I ers, Ihaia'Motuiti ; who are men of rank. Hcnare Taratoa, the Maori who wrote the challenge to Colonel Greer, is amongst the killed. Neither Thomson or Rewi were present, — so far as can be ascertained by questioning the prisoners.

By the arrival of the Phccbe, we arc put in possession of later intelligence from the seat of war. The news, however, is unimportant. We extract the following from the despatch of Col. Q-reer to the Deputy Quartermaster- General : — " I found a large force of Maoris (about 600) entrenching themselves about four miles beyond Pukehinahina. They had made a single hne of rifle pits of the usual form across the road, in a position exactly similar to Pukehinahina — the commencement of a formidable pa. Having driven in some skirmishers they had thrown out, I oxtended the -13rd and a portion of the GBth in their front and on the flanks as far as practicable, and kept up a sharp fire for about two hours, while I sent back for reinforcements as per margin [1 gun, 220 men]. As soon as they were sufficiently near to support, I sounded the advance, when the 43rd, 68th, and Ist Wiakato Militia charged, and carried the riffe-pits in the most dashing manner, under a tremendous fire, but which was for the most part too high. For a few minutes the Maoris fought desperately, and then were utterly routed. Sixty-eight were killad in the rifle pits. "The position was very favorable for their retreat ; otherwise few could have escaped. "The Defence Force pursued them several: miles, but could not get well at them, owing to the deep ravines with which the country is every where intersected. " The infantry pursued as long as they could keep the Maoris in sight. All did their duty valiantly. " The 43rd were under the comand of Major Syngc, whose horse was shot; the 68th, under Major Shuttle-worth; the Ist "Waikato Militia under Captain Moore ; and they each led their men well. " It is impossible for me, in this hurried report, to do justice. I will therefore have the pleasure, in a supplemental report, to bring those to your notice who more particularly distinguished themselves. " I must not conclude without remarking on the gallant stand made by the Maoris at the rifle-pits ; they Btoood the charge without flinching, and did not retire until forced out at the point of the bayonet. " The name of the position width, the Maoris occupied is ' Te Eanga.' "It appears from this despatch that the Ist Waikato, although escaping without loss, took an active part in the engagement. The casualties on our side were — 14 men killed, 6 officers, 2 sergeants, and 31 men wounded ; in all 53. Of the Maoris, 105 were killed, and 27 wounded ; in all, 132. Ten prisoners were taken. Many more must, it is said, have been killed in the ravines, but their bodies could not be found."