✨ Military Operations Report
NEW ZEALAND
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
Published by Authority.
WELLINGTON, SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1847.
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR has
been pleased to direct the publication
of the following Extracts of Despatches from
Captain Laye commanding the Troops at
Wanganui; and HIS EXCELLENCY gladly
avails himself of the opportunity thus affor-
ded him, of publicly recording his entire
approbation of the gallantry and perseverance
displayed, under circumstances of great dif-
ficulty, by Captain Laye, 58th Regiment,
and the officers, non-commissioned officers,
and men, composing the Force under Cap-
tain Laye's command.
By HIS EXCELLENCY'S Command,
M. RICHMOND,
Superintendent.
Wellington, 29th May, 1847.
Upper Stockade, Wanganui,
20th May, 1847.
SIR,—I have the honor to report that
yesterday morning (19th May), between 11
and 12 o'clock, large bodies of Natives were
observed approaching the Town in different
directions; some of the armed Settlers, about
20, kept a portion in check for a short time,
but were obliged to retire on the Town.
The enemy had possession of all the hills,
and several clay houses about the outskirts
of the Town, which afforded them strong
natural breastworks, and kept up a fire for
5 hours at the Upper Stockade, but princi-
pally on the Town Stockade, under command
of Captain Hardy, 58th Regiment. and the
Gun-boat under Lieutenant Holmes, R. N.,
H. M. S. Calliope, which he had moved
down the river to flank the Town Stockade;
several shot and shell with musketry were
fired from the Upper and Town Stockade -
and Gun-boat, without being able to dislodge
them.
From the numerous detached parties of
the enemy, they being about 300 strong,
with large parties in reserve, I was utterly
unable to send a sufficient number of men
to drive them out, and hold my three Stock-
ades; some were so daring as to come and
fire within 30 yards of our guns and
Stockade.
Under cover of darkness I determined to
take the two clay houses, which I considered
the enemy were still in possession of: I
therefore ordered 120 men, with a propor-
tion of non-commissioned officers from the
three Stockades, and forty armed Settlers,
to be divided into two divisions, one under
command of Captain Hardy, with Ensign
Barker, 58th Regt., to attack the clay house
belonging to Captain Campbell, the other
party, commanded by Lieuteuant Balneavis,
with Lieutenant Pedder, 58th Regt., to take
possession of Mr. Churton's house, and a
clay one adjoining, and the Sand-hills;
the troops being covered by the fire from
the Gun-boat. On the parties reaching the
houses (which I ordered to be burnt) I re-
gret to say it was found the enemy had de-
camped in the night with plunder. I should
report the troops proceeded to their work
half an hour before daylight. The friendly
Natives reported this morning the enemy's
loss to be, two chiefs killed (one supposed
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NZ Gazette 1847, No 8A
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Publication of Despatches regarding Wanganui engagement and commendation
🛡️ Defence & Military29 May 1847
Wanganui, Troop movements, Engagement, Despatch, Official commendation, Stockade
8 names identified
- Captain Laye (58th Regiment), Commended for gallantry and perseverance
- Captain Hardy (58th Regiment), Commanded Town Stockade during engagement
- Lieutenant Holmes (R.N.), Commanded Gun-boat during engagement
- Ensign Barker (58th Regiment), Attacked Captain Campbell's clay house
- Lieutenant Balneavis, Commanded party attacking Mr. Churton's house
- Lieutenant Pedder (58th Regiment), Accompanied Lieutenant Balneavis's party
- Mr. Churton, Owner of house targeted by troops
- Captain Campbell, Owner of clay house attacked by troops
- M. Richmond, Superintendent