✨ Military Action Report
( 91 )
character for bravery and intrepidity wherever they have been employed—and the few, 18 in number, that joined this expedition from H. M. Ship Hazard, have nobly supported the same character. Lieutenant Phillpotts, Royal Navy, fell when endeavoring to force his way through the stockade. I enclose herewith a corrected list of killed and wounded.
I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency’s most obedient,
humble Servant,
H. DESPARD,
Lieut.-Colonel 99th Regiment, and
Colonel on the Staff in N. Z.
His Excellency
Governor Fitz Roy,
&c., &c., &c.,
Auckland.
P. S.—The wounded are doing well under the able care and constant attention bestowed on them by Dr. Pine, of the 58th, and Dr. Galbraith, of the 99th Regiments.
H. D.
Camp, 1st July, 1845.
The following are the directions, and the distribution of the troops, for the attack on the pah, at 3 o’clock this evening.
The principal attack will be made on or near the right angle on the front face, (that face being considered the front one that is opposite the camp), and the whole column for this attack will be formed as follows:—2 serjeants and 20 volunteers from the three corps will form the advance, and proceed with the most perfect silence till they reach the stockade.
This party will be followed closely by the assaulting body, under Major Macpherson, composed of 40 grenadiers from the 58th, and 40 grenadiers from the 99th Regiments, and will be accompanied by a small party of seamen, and
by 30 pioneers from the Volunteer Militia. The seamen and as many of the pioneers as there are sufficient tools for, will be supplied with axes or hatchets for the purpose of cutting down the stockade. Those pioneers that cannot be supplied with axes or hatchets are to carry the ladders, as well as strong ropes, which will be supplied by the Artillery department, for pulling down the stockade.
Major M’Pherson’s party will be closely followed by Major Bridge, of the 58th Regiment, having under him the remainder of the Grenadiers of the 58th, to be made up to 60 rank and file from the Battalion of the same Regiment, and 40 rank and file from the Light Company of the 99th Regiment. In all amounting to 100 rank and file.
A strong supporting party will be formed under Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme, 96th Regiment, consisting of the whole of the detachment of the 96th Regiment, completed to 100 rank and file by the Battalion men of the 58th Regiment.
The moment an entrance is made into the pah, this party will instantly follow the preceding parties. The remainder of the force will be under the personal command of Colonel Despard, for the purpose of directing assistance wherever necessary, with the exception of 40 rank and file of the 58th Regiment, under command of Captain Thompson, of that corps, who will occupy the hill overlooking the pah and the camp; it being considered necessary to do so from the attempt made by the natives in the morning to get possession of it.
By order,
R. B. DEERING,
Lieutenant 99th Regiment,
Acting Brigade-Major.
CHRISTOPHER FULTON,
Government Printer, Auckland.
NZ Gazette 1845, No 18
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️
Report on Action Against Heke's Pah
(continued from previous page)
🛡️ Defence & Military1 July 1845
Battle, Heke's Pah, Military Action, Casualties, British Troops
9 names identified
- Lieutenant Phillpotts (Royal Navy), Fell in action
- H. Despard (Lieut.-Colonel 99th Regiment, Colonel on the Staff in N. Z.), Author of the report
- Pine (Doctor), Cared for the wounded
- Galbraith (Doctor), Cared for the wounded
- Major Macpherson, Led the assaulting body
- Major Bridge, Led the grenadiers
- Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme (96th Regiment), Led the supporting party
- Captain Thompson (58th Regiment), Commanded the hill occupation
- R. B. Deering (Lieutenant 99th Regiment, Acting Brigade-Major), Issued the orders
- H. Despard, Lieut.-Colonel 99th Regiment, and Colonel on the Staff in N. Z.
- R. B. Deering, Lieutenant 99th Regiment, Acting Brigade-Major