LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 444, 2 January 1869, Page 2

LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

CAVALRY ATTACK ON NUKTTMARU.

By the arrival of the steamer "Wanganui, we learn that an attack of a most daring character was made on Monday morning on thf> enemy's stronghold at Nukumaru The following account of the affair is given by the Herald of Tuesday : From previous arrangement Lieut. Bryce marched his troop over to the Mission Station camp on Sunday evening, and the Wanganui and Kai Iwi corps commenced the march for Nukumaru the same evening at 11 o'clock. Captain Finmmore commanded the Wangauui Cavalry, and Lieut. Bryce the Kai Iwi. The men of all ranks numbered about 100. At half-past 2 o'clock yesterday morning the force had arrived opposite the enemy's camp. Our men were kept behind the ridge out of sight, expecting to find some stragglers foraging. The enemy, however, was too cautious. It was noticed that a pa, with palisading, had been erected since the cavalry last visited that place, and a sentry was observed doing his " weary rounds" on the outside. After waiting for some time, some Maoris were supposed to be seen about a mile distant on the ridge of sand-hills, and a portion of the Kai Iwi cavalry, under Lieut. Bryce, started in pursuit. Failing to find them, the cavalry came down in skirmishing order to the left of the pa, and at a distance of 500 yards opened fire. Captain Finnimore moved 1 off with No 1 division "Wanganui Cavalry, and immediately after Cornet Ballance with No 2 and 3 divisions, and the remainder of the Kai Iwi troop followed. When Capt. Finnimore arrived a heavy firing was opened at 203 yards range of the pa, our men being partially protected by a slight rising in the ground.

All at once th ere was a desperate rush at the pa, and about 12 men got to the trench around the palisading. Up to this time the Hauhaus had only kept up a slow and desultory fire, and it was an impression among soine of the men that there were but few natives in the pa ; but as soon as the men charged, a regular and rapid fire was opened on the men from behind the palisading and rifle pits. Sergeant Maxwell was here shot. He had just discharged his carbine into the pa, had wheeled his horse to reload and was in the act of putting in the cartridge when he was struck in the breast, the bullet coming out at the shoulder. By asudden impulse the horse galloped back for 100 yards before his rider fell off. Maxwell was immediately carried off by trooper Small and two or three others, and expired in a few minutes. Trooper Wright of the Wanganui Corps, had his horse shot in the trench, and lay entangled for two orthree minutes ; fortunately he got clear of the horse, and found a rebel's horse ready for him to mount. One of the Kai Iwi men seeing that Wright's horse was dead, and noticing a white horse tied to one of the palisades, went forward, untied the rope, and offered Wright a " fresh horse." Another horse was shot dead, and one wounded. The rebels in a few seconds after this were observed to leave the pa in a long line extending to the right. Their object was apparent—to occupy the patches of bush, and command the line of retreat. The second and third divisions were immediately thrown out in skirmishing order on the right, and kept a galling fire on the rebels as they emerged from the pa. When the horse and rider fell into the trench alongside the pallisades, a rebel climbed the pallisade from the inside and was shot while coming over. Several attempts were afterwards made to get the saddle, and four Hau-haus, more daring than the rest, paid the' price of their temerity. The retreat was sounded, and was conducted at a walk in as perfect order, as if the men had been on parade.