The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-15 00:00:00

THE NEW ZEALAND WAR.

(From the London Gazette.)

The Secretary of State for War has received despatches
from Lieutenant-General Sir D. A. Cameron, K.C.8.,
commanding her Majesty's forces in New Zealand. Lieu-
tenant-General Cameron states in his first despatch, dated
head quarters, Punkerimu, March 28, that after the
expulsion of the rebels from the neighbourhood of Te
Awamutu, reported in his former despatch, he arranged
with the Governor that his next operations should be
directed against Mangatautari, to which place the Waikatos
under the celebrated chief William Thompson, had retired
after their defeat at Rangiriri. Having garrisoned the
redoubts at Te Awamutu, Rangiawhia, and Kihikihi,
and stationed a force of eight hundred men to support them
and to oppose any attempt that might be made by the
natives to return to and occupy that district, and hav-
ing placed the whole under command of Brigadier-
General Carey, whom he transferred from the command at
Tauranga for that purpose, he marched a force consisting of
4 field officers, 10 captains, 20 lieutenants, 3 staff, 50 ser-
geants, 17 drummers, 836 rank and file on the 22d inst.,
and encamped at Pukerimu, on the left bank of the Upper
Waikato, seven miles from a position which the natives had
fortified for the purpose of obstructing his advance to Man-
gatautari. Commodore Sir W. Wiseman also arrived the
same day at Pukerimu with the Avon and Kohoroa from
Ngaruawahia.

He reconnoitered the position closely on the following day
and found that it consisted of two strong earthworks, well
flanked and palisaded, 450 yards distant from each other,
and constructed on a spur of the Pukekura range, The
lower work, the largest and principal one, was about GOO
yards from the river, The two works completely blocked
the road to the settlement of Mangatautari, which was five
miles behind them. He established a post on each bank of
the river near this camp for the protection of the supplies
and stores, Commodore Sir W. Wiseman having ascertained
that the river could not be navigated higher by the steamers
with safety.
In the second despatch, dated Ifeadqu trtera, rukerimu,
April 1. Genet al Cameron states that in a reconnaisance at
Kaitake on March 11 Major Butler carried out his instru.c-
Lions with great judgment, and the detachment under his
command behaved most gallantly. In subsequent operations
Col. Warre displayed great ability, and his skilful arrange-
ments for the attack of Kaitaka resulted in the acquiring a
most important position with very few casualties to the
troops engaged. Lieut. Larcom, Royal Artillery, although
severely wounded, remained with his gun until this detach-
ment retired.

At Kaitake on 11th March Private Michael Kennedy,
57th Regiment, was killed. Besides Lieut. Larcom, there
were wounded—James Adley, John Chamberlain, William
Henry, Charles Keane, and M. Stagpole. In subsequent
operations at Au-Au on the 24th, and Kaitake on 25th
March, there were wounded—Privates Thomas Bishop,
Martin Hynes, Wm. Neary, and Sergeant Jas. Appleby.
In a report to General Cameron, dated Camp Te Awa-
mutu, April 3, General Carey states that at midnight Major
Blyth, 40th Regiment, marched with 250 men, with direc-
tions to take the road to the right, to cross and recross the
Punia River, and to gain the rear of the enemy's position
before daylight, halting there until he should hear his at-
tack, and then to dispose of his force so as to cut off the re-
treat of the enemy. The road from Rangiawhia to Orakau
General Cary found on inquiry to be very difficult, being
intercepted by deep swamps and thick bush. However,
having every confidence in Captain Blewitt's energy, he
dieected that officer, who commands at Rangiawhia, to
march during the night, and endeavour to form a junction
with him before daylight on the proper right of the enemy's
position, bringing with him 100 men. At 3 o'clock on
Thursday morning, the 31st ultimo, he marched with the
main body, along the dray road to Kihi Kihi, taking on
Lieut.-Colonel Haultain and 150 men from the post, and
then he proceeded by the same road to the village of Orakau,
which he reached without opposition as the day dawned.
The enemy, evidently taken by surprise, opened fire on
the advance guard, composed of 120 of the !loyal Irish and
20 Forest Rangers, gallantly led by Capt. Ring, 18th Royal
Irish, and supported by 100 of the 40th Regiment, who
immediately rushed forward to the attack in skirmishing
order. The position being found very strong (an earthwork,
with strong flank defences, deep ditches, with posts and rails
outside, and nearly covered from view by flax bushes, peach
trees, and high fern), this party were forced to retire, but at
once reformed, and, being reinforced by another company of
the 40th Regiment, again tried to take the place by assault,
but with no better success, Here Capt. Ring, 18th Royal
Irish, fell mortally wounded, and Capt. Fisher, 40th Regi-
ment, severely so, besides four men killed and several
wounded. On Capt. Ring's falling, Capt. Baker, 18th
Royal Irish, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant. General, most
gallantly galloped up, dismounted, and, calling for volun-
teers, again endeavoured to carry the place by assault.
This also failed. Finding that there was no chance of taking
the pah in this manner, from its immense strength, and
other men having fallen, he determined to desist from this
mode of attack, and having heard that both Major Blyth,
40th Regiment, and Capt. Blewitt, 65th Regiment, were at
their appointed posts, he decided on surrounding the place,
and adopting the more slow but sure method of approaching
the position by sap, which was shortly after commenced.
under the able directions of Lieutenant Hurst, 12th Regt.,
attached to the Royal Engineer Department.
During the afternoon a reinforcement of some 150 or 200
of the enemy. from the direction of Maungatautari, appeared
in sight, evidently determined on relieving the place. They
advanced to a bush situate about 600 yards in rear of our
outposts, bnt seeing that it was scarcely possible to break
through the line formed by our troops, they halted and
commenced firing volleys, at the same time exciting the men
in the pah to increased energy by dancing the war dance,
shouting, rte. Heavy firing was kept up by the enemy on
the troops both in the sap and around the place during the
day and night, causing but few casualties, the men contriv-
ing to cover themselves in temporary rifle pad dug out with
their bayonets and hands.
A reinforcement of 200 men, under the command of
Captain Inman, 18th Royal Irish, reached General Carey
from headquarters during the afternoon, Having reported
his proceedings to the Commander of the Forces in the
morning, ho received a reinforcement of 189 rank and file,
guided by Captain Greaves, D.A., Quartermaster General.
It arrived about daylight on the morning of the Ist April,
and enabled General Carey to relieve the men in the sap more
constantly, and therefore to carry on the work more quickly.
This day was spent in working at the sap and making rifle
pita around the pah, few casualties occurring. Capt. Betty,
R.A., arrived during the day, and assumed command of the
Royal Artillery. At an early hour on the morning of the 2d
April Lieut.-Col. Sir Henry Havelock, Deputy-Assistant
Quartermaster-General, arrived with hand grenades, which
wore at once thrown into the enemy's position with groat
effect by Sergeant M'Kay, R.A., who thus rendered good
and gallant service, at great personal risk, under a galling
fire. About noon General Carey ordered Capt. Betty, R.A.,
to have a six-pounder Armstrong gun carried into the sap,