β¨ Military Dispatches Wanganui
(105)
Many settlers were out, and in the front amongst
whom was Mr. McGregor wounded on the 1st July. I
beg to express my thanks to Messrs. Deighton, Inter-
preter to the force stationed at Wanganui, and Duncan
attached as Interpreter to myself.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) W. A. MCCLEVERTY,
Lieut.-Colonel commanding Troops,
New Zealand.
His Excellency Governor GREY.
EXTRACT FROM BRIGADE ORDERS.
Camp, Wanganui, July 20, 1847.
No. 1.
The Lieutenant Colonel Commanding in
New Zealand, has to congratulate the force un-
der his command at Wanganui, on the devotion
and intrepidity shewn by the troops engaged
yesterday with a daring enemy. To the Officers
and Men of the Royal Artillery, 58th and 65th
detachments, H. M. S. Calliope, the Armed Po-
lice, and our Native Allies, his thanks are justly
due, but he may be permitted to instance more
particularly that of the Royal Artillery, their ex-
posure to the heavy fire without shelter owing
to the nature of their service during 4 hours fight-
ing, occasioned a disproportionate loss above
that of the other corps.
He has to regret the loss of two gallant sol-
diers of the 58th and 65th regiments, but the
body of Private Weller, was buried by the ene-
my without mutilation at Aramoho. Private
Joseph Spratt, 65th, will be buried to-morrow
in Wanganui Church.
The service of those who have been wounded
he trusts will again be restored to the ranks of
their corps. Gunner William Connolly who has
been dangerously wounded, the officer comman-
ding sincerely sympathises with, and trusts that
his recovery though prolonged may be looked
forward to.
The enemy acknowledge to a loss of 3 killed
and 10 wounded, of the former two are chiefs,
but it is confidently expected that they are anx-
ious to conceal their loss.
Killed and Wounded in action with the enemy
at St. John's Wood.
KILLED.
Private William Weller, No. 5 Company, 28th
Regiment.
Private Joseph Spratt, Grenadiers, 65th ditto
WOUNDED.
Lient. Barnard, Grenadiers, 65th regt., slightly
in the head.
Gunner William Connolly, R. A., very danger-
ously.
" Matthew Broadhurst, do slightly.
Sergeant William Gibson, 58th regt., do
Corporal Francis Rielly, do do
Private Henry Storey, do do severely
if not dangerously.
Private William Dun, do severely.
" Martin Rogers, do slightly.
Sergeant Thomas Kells, 65th regt., do
Corporal William Allsop, do severely.
Private James Fegan, do slightly.
Herekiwa Ruawiwi, a Ngatitoa ally, do
By order, (signed) F. R. C. MASTER,
Acting Brigade Major.
W. A. MCCLEVERTY.
Lieut.-Colonel commanding Troops,
New Zealand.
The killed and wounded above enumerated are
only those of the Ngatiruaka tribe (Pukihika)
communicated to their relatives of Putiki; of the
vounded Jimi (Himi), Wirema Wanganui, and
another Ko Hika-anu, are not expected to live.
Nothing is known of the loss of the other tribes
headed by Mamuko, Te Hapua, Te Kepe, Te
Pehi, Ngapara and others, and it is generally said
their loss has been heavy. The Ngatimaniapoto
refused to advance against us again, and the
Ngatiruaka wished to return to their homes.
W. A. MCCLEVERTY,
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Camp, Wanganui, July 23rd, 1847,
SIR-I have the honor to inform you in continua-
tion of my letter of the 20th, that last even-
ing I received intelligence that an attack by night was
premeditated by the enemy on different parts of the
town, as a finale previous to the Taua breaking up'; their
arrangement was, Mamuko to attack the lower stock-
ade, the Ngatiruaka the upper, and the Ngatimaniapoto
that in course of erection on the Middle Hill; every
preparation was made to repel this.
At 9 o'clock this morning the enemy were seen in
numbers proceeding to St. John's Wood, and the earthen
entrenchments on the hill, which they occupied on
the 19th and through which we passed on the recon-
noisance of the 1st inst. On the crest of the range they
planted a red ensign; their numbers were at least 600
men having apparently collected nearly all their force.
I occupied the middle hill with the greater part of
the detachment of the 65th Regt. under Captain Wolf,
and a 6 pound Field Piece under Lieut. the Hon. W.
C. Yelverton, a detachment of the 58th Regt. under
Lieut. Balneavis, with a 3 pound gun were in the breast
work in advance of the upper Stockade, in which latter,
(both under Captain Henderson, R. A.) was a 12 pound
Gun, and a strong reserve under Captain Hardy ready
to move out; a flanking party under Ensign Middleton,
58th regt., occupied the edge of the swamp, and kept
up the communication with the seamen under Lieut.
Holmes, and the 58th detachment under Lieut. Hay at
the lower stockade, thus securing our position, and ren-
dering a forward movement easy at any moment.
A few of the enemy shewed themselves on the low
hills between our stockade and St. John's Wood where
they were in force, and the guns opened a fire; the
enemy retired and seemed determined not to risk an
attack; contrary to my expectation they are well sup-
plied with ammunition.
The chief of Putiki wished to hold a conversation
with the enemy which they invited, and I granted per-
mission. Mr. Duncan, my Interpreter, also, at their
request, went forward; they stated that they would not
attack, fearful of our artillery, (from this and other causes
I infer that they suffered from the guns on the 19th.)
and as we would not attack their intrenchments they
would retire from them.
The Pukihika natives intend to retire to-morrow, if
not the whole of the Taua, if so, the war is ended for
this winter, though I shall not relax in vigilance, hav-
ing no reliance on expressions founded on fears.
Mamuko again was not present in the front, but his
brother Te Oro stated his determination to Mr. Duncan
not to have peace, a proposition which was not made to
him, as I consider it far from a desideratum, nor do I
believe it to be your Excellency's wish.
On the present presumed cessation of hostilities I
beg to make the following remarks. It will be found
difficult again to collect so large a war party, more
particularly as the result has been on every occasion
against them. As the summer advances, they will desire
to lay in their stock of fish for the next season and other
supplies, and I would strongly recommend that no
canoes should on any account be permitted to pass be-
low Shakspeare's Cliff. In the present state of Wanga-
nui, the enforcement of the above by a strong military
post, will be a serious deprivation to the enemy, who
generally stated their determination to renew hostilities
in the summer. I would recommend a continuance of
Martial Law in this District, and shall put up a notice
during your Excellency's absence and subject to your
approval renewing it till further orders, as some of the
enemy will continue to prowl in the neighbourhood.
I beg in conclusion to bring to your Excellency's
notice the professional assistance and kind attention
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β¨ LLM interpretation of page content
π‘οΈ
Detailed account of Wanganui engagement actions and resulting casualties
(continued from previous page)
π‘οΈ Defence & Military20 July 1847
Wanganui, Settlers, Wounded, Interpreter, McCleverty, Conclusion of dispatch
- McGregor (Mr.), Wounded on the 1st July
- Deighton (Mr.), Served as Interpreter
- Duncan, Served as Interpreter
- W. A. MCCLEVERTY, Lieut.-Colonel commanding Troops, New Zealand
- Governor GREY
π‘οΈ Brigade Orders regarding Wanganui engagement commendations and casualty list
π‘οΈ Defence & Military20 July 1847
Brigade Orders, Wanganui, Royal Artillery, 58th Regiment, 65th Regiment, Casualties, St John's Wood, Military commendation
14 names identified
- William Weller (Private), Killed in action, 28th Regiment
- Joseph Spratt (Private), Killed in action, 65th Regiment
- Barnard (Lient.), Wounded slightly in the head
- William Connolly (Gunner), Wounded very dangerously
- Matthew Broadhurst, Wounded slightly
- William Gibson (Sergeant), Wounded slightly
- Francis Rielly (Corporal), Wounded slightly
- Henry Storey (Private), Wounded severely or dangerously
- William Dun (Private), Wounded severely
- Martin Rogers (Private), Wounded slightly
- Thomas Kells (Sergeant), Wounded slightly
- William Allsop (Corporal), Wounded severely
- James Fegan (Private), Wounded slightly
- Herekiwa Ruawiwi, Ngatitoa ally wounded slightly
- F. R. C. MASTER, Acting Brigade Major
- W. A. MCCLEVERTY, Lieut.-Colonel commanding Troops, New Zealand
π‘οΈ Report on Ngatiruaka tribe casualties and movements of hostile chiefs
π‘οΈ Defence & Military20 July 1847
Maori casualties, Ngatiruaka, Pukihika, Hostilities, Chiefs, Mamuko
8 names identified
- Jimi (Himi) , Wounded, not expected to live
- Wirema Wanganui, Wounded, not expected to live
- Ko Hika-anu, Wounded, not expected to live
- Mamuko , Chief heading hostile party
- Te Hapua , Chief heading hostile party
- Te Kepe , Chief heading hostile party
- Te Pehi , Chief heading hostile party
- Ngapara , Chief heading hostile party
- W. A. MCCLEVERTY, Lieutenant-Colonel
π‘οΈ Dispatch detailing enemy preparations and troop dispositions, recommending Martial Law renewal
π‘οΈ Defence & Military23 July 1847
Enemy preparations, Troop deployment, Artillery use, Martial Law, Wanganui, Hostilities cessation
10 names identified
- Wolf (Captain), Commanded 65th Regt detachment
- W. C. Yelverton (Lieut. the Honourable), Commanded 6 pound Field Piece
- Balneavis (Lieut.), Commanded 58th Regt detachment
- Henderson (Captain), Commanded R. A. gun
- Middleton (Ensign), Occupied swamp flanking party
- Holmes (Lieut.), Commanded seamen
- Hay (Lieut.), Commanded 58th detachment
- Duncan (Mr.), Acted as Interpreter
- Mamuko , Chief refusing peace terms
- Te Oro , Stated determination not to have peace
- W. A. MCCLEVERTY, Lieutenant-Colonel
- Governor GREY
NZ Gazette 1847, No 19