FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Southland Times, Issue 993, 27 July 1868, Page 3

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Since the above was in type, we have been favored with further details of this affair. They do not add much to the information already before the public, but they explain a good deal that was before singular and doubtful. Four of the men stood to their posts, when the others were panic-stricken and fled, so that the above report, in so far as it states that the redoubt was in possession of the Maoris, requires modification. These four had an angle of it, defending themselves against a mob of infuriated savages with their bayonets, until assistance reached them from Waihi. There are also traits of bravery which relieve the darker aspects of the scene. A private, namtd Beamish, after being wounded and unable to fire, opened his pouch and handed cartridges to his remaining comrades. Captain Eoss, after being shot, called out to his men that he was done for, but requested them to stick to their posts, and that they would soon get help. He died while thus striving to encourage them. LIST OP THE KILLED. Captain Eoss, Sergeant M'Fadden, Corporal Blake, Privates Eoss, Shields, Beamish (wounded, since dead), Holder, and Crayshaw. Also, E. Lennon, can-teen-keeper. Another wounded man, whose name we have not learned, has since died. _ i 3?our dead Maoris, it is said, have also been discovered since the first search. A despatch has been received by the " "Wanganui Times " from the front, dated Patea, 13th July, 1868, 10 p.m., giving the folio-wing particulars of the attack on Turo Turo Mokai. The attack on the redoubt at Turo Turo Mokai was made before break of day. Private Lacey was on sentry outside — challenged twice and then fired — received a volley — was shot through the slioulder — succeeded in loading his riflej but could not fire ifc off. Went to the gateway, and saw Capt. Eoss in his shirtHanded his rifle to Eoss, who fired it: Eoss then fired off all the chambers oi his revolver, and part of another. He

i then called out — " lam done for. Men, you must do the best you can for your- ! selves !" The men then seemed to have had a panic, and some of them attempted • to escape. Four men jumped over the parapet, one of them was caught and tomahawked — frightfully mutilated. Three others, Cowie, Wi'lkie, and Burrows, got away to Waihi. Four men held one angle of the redoubt, and two of these men. Milmoe and Johnston, being armed with bayonets, kept the Natives from getting over the parapet. The latter had cut steps in the parapet, and as soon as one showed his head he was bayonetted. These four men held the post until Yon Tempsky arrived. The Natives never got beyond the gateway of the redoubt. A correspondent of the "Times' writes : — Waihi, July 12, 1868. J A most frightful tragedy has taken I place this morning at Turo Turo Mokai. About half-past 6 a.m., one of the sentries saw something approaching the redoubt ; he callenged and received no ! answer. He then challenged again and fired, and then about a hundred Natives gave a yell and rushed at the redoubt. The force consisted of one ofiicer (Captain Koss), and-fcnmntyvfnrii'-ntliAT'a /I.» r^~--~---Hoss-slcpirontside the redoubt, but when he heard the shot he rushed inside. He died fighting manfully near the entrance. The Natives shot him down, and .... Great credit is due to constables J. Beamish, Connor, Stuart, M'Lean, Gill, O'Brien, and Mr C. JohDston, a settler. Had it not been for those men the Natives would have got a great quantity, of arms and ammunition. They fought bravely and held their ground. When Constable Beamish was wounded, he stripped cartridges for the others. The firing was heard and seen from Waihi.^ Major Yon Tempsky and him men immediately started to their assistance. The mounted armed constabulary, when saddled and ready to start, were ordered by Major Hunter to dismount and feed their horses before starting. Had he allowed them to go there would not have been the number killed and wounded that that there has been, and they would have been able to put off the rebels from the bush. Upon Yon Tempsky 's men arriving at the scene of action, the surviving men exclaimed, '• Oh ! had you been ten minutes sooner you would have saved many lives." The number killed on our side was nine, and seven wounded. Relative to the conduct of Major Hunter, the " "Wanganui Times" remarks : — But, during that conflict what was Major Hunter doing with the force of mounted troopers under his command at Waihi, within three miles of the scene of action ? Is it true that his men, immediately on hearing the firing, and finding that Turo Turo Mokai was attacked, turned out, mounted their horses, and called upon Major Hunter to lead them to the rescue ? Is it true that the gallant Major put them through certain evolutions, and ordered them to dismount and stable their horses ? We hope there is not a word of truth in it, but as the report is so very generally believed here, we ask the public to suspend judgment and await the arrival of further particulars. The four brave fellows who held the corner of the redoubt, will not be forgotten by the public. The brave and intrepid Captain Ross leaves many sorrowing friends who have the heartfelt sympathy of the public.