INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A JOURNALIST.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 237, 28 March 1885, Page 9

INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A JOURNALIST.

C. 0. Montrose (Nemo).

Chapter -IiXXIX. — Tauranga Reinforced — The Gate Pa Reconnoitred — Disposition for the Attach — Strength of the Foree — The Bombardment.

Early in April Colonel Greer reported that the ene.my was assembling in great force in the vicinity of Taurauga, and that an attack on the town was probably in preparation. It was therefore decided by Sir George Grey, in consultation with Lieut. -General Sir Duncan Cameron, to despatch a reinforcement to the station, and troops were accordingly embarked in H.M. ships Esk and Falcon, which were placed at the General's disposal by Commodore Sir William Wiseman. On the 22nd of April these reinforcements were landed at the Mission Station, Tauranga, where Sir Duncan fixed his headquarters.

A reconnaissance of the enemy's position was made on the 27th of April by the 68th .Regiment under Colonel Greer, with a mixed detachment of 170 men under Major Ryan, m 70th. The enemy's works, now known by the historic name of the Gate Pa, were found, to be constructed on a narrow neck of land about 500 yards wide, the slopes of which fell off into a swamp on either side. On the highest point of this neck the Maoris had constructed an oblong redoubt, strongly j» palisaded and surrounded by a post and rail fence, which would be a formidable obstacle to an assaulting column, and would be very difficult to destroy with artillery. In the intervals between the side fences of the redoubt and the swamp the Maoris had constructed lines of entrenched rifle-pits.

Having completed his reconnaissance, General Cameron made dispositions for an attack on the position. The 68th Regiment, under the command of Major Ryan, was encamped about 1200 yards from the pa, and mortars and guns were brought up to branch the position preparatory to an assault. Commodore Sir William Wiseman also landed a large force of marines and seamen from the ships of war. By the 28th of April the following force was assembled in. front of the Gate Pa : — General Staff : 4 field officers, 1 subaltern. Medical Staff : 2 field officers, 1 subaltern, Naval Brigade : 4 field officers, 6 captains, 7 subalterns, 36 sergeants, 5 drummers, 371 rank and file.

Royal Artillery : 1 field officer, 1 captain, 3 subalterns, 1 staff, 1 sergeant, 43 rank and file. -

Eoyal Engineers : 2 rank and file. Movable Column: 1 field officer, 2 captains, 3 subalterns, 1 staff, 6 sergeants, 4 druminerr, 164 rank and file.

43rd Regiment : 1 field officer, 5 captains, 5 subalterns, 3 staff, 17 sergeants, 12 drummers, 250 rank and file. 68th Regiment : 3 field officers, 6 captains, 15 subalterns, 3 staff, 34 sergeants, 21 drummers, 650 rank and file. Total: 16 field officers, 20 captains, 35 subalterns, 8 staff, 94 sergeants, 42 drummers, and 1488 lank and field, or a grand total of 1695 of all ranks.

The artillery accompanying this force consisted of the following: 1 110-pounder Armstong, 2 40pr. Armstrongs, 2 6pr. Armstrongs, 2 24pr. howitzers, 1 Sin. mortar, and 6 cohorn mortars, which, one would have supposed would have amply sufficed for the reduction of a mere Maori earthwork, palisading", and rifle-pits. General Cameron had been informed that by moving along one of the branches of the Tauranga Harbour at low water it was possible for a body of troops to pass outside the swamp on the enemy's right and gain the rear of his position. He therefore instructed Colonel Greer to make the attempt with the 68th Regiment on the evening of the 28th after dark, while with the view of directing the attention of the enemy from, the right flank a feint attack was made in front. Colonel Gxeer's party, carrying one day's provision and a great coat per man, left at 7 p.m. To accomplish the object in view it was necessary to cross a mud flat at the head of the bay, about three-quarters of a mile long, only passable at low- water, and. then nearly knee- deep, within musketry range of the enemy's position, through rough high ground densely overgrown with ti-tree and fern, and already in the enemy's possession. At the point at which the force crossed the mud flat there was a swamp about 100 -yards in width, covered with titree five feet high, aiid on the opposite side the end- of a spur ran abruptly from the high ground in rear. Colonel Greer' s object was to reach the top of the spur during the darkness, and remains there until there should be sufficient light to move on. The regiment made the crossing in safety about 10 p.m. (two hours before the moon rose), and then lay down in line along the crest of the ridge, with picquets posted round them. The well-executed feint attack by General Cameron iv front had had the effect of drawing the enemy's picquets into the pa, so that on gaining the crest of the hill the 68th actually came upon their lighted fires. At half-past one o'clock in the morningColonel Greeks division again advanced, and at three o'clock reached a position about 1000 yards in rear of the pa, being favoured by rain and darkness, though the natives could be distinctly heard talking in the pa as the 68th took up their position. Colonel Greer then sent forward Major Shuttleworth

"with three companies to take?mp a position on the left rear of the pa,. and juace picquets round the remainder»of the rear at a distance of 700 yards from the pa. Meanwhile the guns and mortars were placed in position • and opened fire soon after daybreak on the morning of the 29th, the fire being particularly directed against the left angle in the centre of the works, which, from the nature of the ground, was considered the most favourable point for an assault. The artillery made excellent practice, particularly the jiowitzers. At the same time Colonel Greer detached three companies to the right under command of Major Kirby, who posted a chain of sentries so that none of the defenders of the pa could effect their escape without beingobserved. Up to this time the enemy sesmed to be unaware that they were surrounded, and continued making speeches and singing songs of defiance. A little later Lieut. -Colonel Gamble, C.8., Deputy Quarter-Master-General, visited Colonel Greer's posts, and seeing that the right required, strengthening, gave up his escort of 80 men of the Naval Brigade. Almost simultaneously Major Shuttleworth moved more to his right and closer to the pa. About noon, Captain Grierson informed General Cameron that the swamp on the left was practicable for the passage of guns. A six-pounder Armstrong was accordingly taken across the swamp to the high ground gj* on the opposite side, from which it coni- * pletely enfiladed the left of the enemy's position, which he was thus compelled to abandon. The bombardment with the guns and mortars was continued until 4 p.m., by which time a large portion of the fence and palisading were destroyed, and a practicable breach made in the parapet. Those in rear of the pa were exposed to considerable danger during the bombardment from the splinters of shells, which were flying about all day, and it frequently became necessary to move the men. All was now in readiness for the assault, which Avill be described in the next chapter.

(To he continued.)