THE NATIVE WAR.—LATEST PARTICULARS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 358, 23 September 1868, Page 3

THE NATIVE WAR.—LATEST PARTICULARS.

The Wanganui Herald contains a letter written by an eye-witness of the 'eugagement near Te Ruaruru, stating that the slaughter onour side was most culpably caused ; that the fight was fearful While it lasted ; that the Volunteers, having been incautiously led into an ambuscade, were then left by Colonel M'Donnell to do the best they could for themselves, he making his way home without them. The friendly natives were the first to attack, when the bugle sounded for the Volunteers, who then rushed up to within some t.irty yards of the pah, when they were met by a truly murderous fire. Our men then sought cover along the creek close by, but the rebels had command of the whole line of fire, and it was here that Von Tempsky, Hunter, and Buck were killed.

Major Hunter asked again and again to be permitted to charge the pah, but M'Donnell would not consent. Had this been done, a far different result would have ensued.

After Von Temsky and the other •officers had fallen, all became confusion ; Colonel M'Donnell then left having told off Hastings, Hirtzell, and Eoberts, with about 80 men, to cover the retreat. As showing what carnage then ensued, eighteen men, with Lieutenant Hastings, fell near one tree ; Hastings' last words were " Retire men, never mind me I am dying." Our men were now surrounded on all sides, and deserted by him who should have commanded them. Major Hunter declared it madness on the part of M'Donnell to have taken his men so unpreparedly into the dense bush. Sergeant Llewellyn said, "We shall all be killed ; let us fight to the last, for we can never reach home again." Night fortunately came on, and our men retired into the bush, whence they were taken by two or three friendly Maoris who were with them; they reached camp at about six o'clock a. in., when they found that their Colonel had arrived the night before. Forty-six of our men were found to be missing, many of both dead and wounded having been left on the field. To the fact that a few old soldiers were present, and thanks also to the friendly natives, may be ascribed the deliverance of those who escaped the carnage. Father Eoland accompanied them into the thick of the fight, and many were the narrow escapes he had, his hat having been shot through.