THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Before leaving New Plymouth, I had
arranged with Capt. Mayne, R.N., that
H.M.S. Eclipse should be at the mouth of
the Katikara river before daybreak, ready to
co-operate in the attack.

I had found it very difficult to obtain ac-
curate information regarding the points
where the river could be most easily crossed,
and it was also impossible by observation
from St. George's Redoubt, to ascertain the
exact nature of the enemy's defences. The
left bank of the river was about 60 or 70
feet high, everywhere very steep, and in
some places covered with high fern. The
main road leading from St. George's Re-
doubt across the mouth of the river to the
left of the enemy's position was known to
be strongly defended by a line of rifle pits
half way up the left bank of the river, and
as this road passed through a large patch of
flax bushes when it reached the table land,
it appeared difficult to force the position at
that point.

I was informed by Mr. Bayley, a New
Plymouth settler, that about 600 yards
above the ford at the mouth of the river,
there was another ford, and a track by
which the left bank could be easily ascended.
Higher up the river, on a commanding
point about 600 yards to our left of
this ford, and 400 yards from the bank of
the river, the enemy had enclosed some
wharres with a kind of redoubt, consisting
of a parapet and rifle pits, which appeared
to be his principal work; and between this
and the main road, the position was de-
fended at various points by lines of rifle pits.
A prisoner, captured a few days before, had
reported that a kainga, or village, about a
a mile down the coast, was also entrenched.

The plan of attack which I considered
best adapted to this state of things, was to
pass the 57th Regiment across the river
under cover of the guns at the last-men-
tioned ford, to detach the two leading par-
ties of the "advance," as soon as they
reached the top of the bank, to turn the rifle
pits and flax bushes at the road. The third
party of the "advance" to extend to its
front to protect this movement; and the
main body of the Regiment to show a front
to the left towards the redoubt, so as to keep
the enemy in check. The remainder of the
force (with the guns and mortars, if neces-
sary) to cross the mouth of the river as soon
as the defences of the road were turned,
and to advance to support the main body of
the 57th in the attack of the redoubt, and
afterwards of the kainga.

These arrangements were successfully
carried out. Soon after daybreak, having
given all the instructions necessary to Col.
Warre, C. B., of the 57th Regiment, and
the officers commanding the three parties

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of the "advance," as well as to Captain
Mercer, Royal Artillery, I directed Colonel
Warre to move the 57th up the river,
and to place it opposite the ford by which
it was to cross. Captain Mercer followed
with the three Armstrong guns, which
he placed in position a little to the right
of the 57th Regiment. I posted the
detachment 65th and 70th Regiments, under
the command of Major Mulock, in rear of
St. George's Redoubt, ready to cross the
river at any point when ordered. The 70th
threw out a line of skirmishers to the edge
of the bank of the river, to check any at-
tempt the enemy might make to interfere
with the passage. The Eclipse stationed
herself as close to the mouth of the river as
her draught of water would permit.

At a quarter before 7 o'clock everything
being ready, and the preconcerted signal
having been given, Captain Mercer's half
battery, and the Eclipse, opened fire upon
the enemy's position, throwing shell with
great precision and effect, into his principal
work. After a few rounds the 57th crossed
the river, and ascending the left bank with
some difficulty gained the plateau without
opposition; the two leading parties then
wheeled quickly to the right, without re-
plying to the musketry fire opened upon
them from the rifle pits in every part of the
enemy's position, and under the immediate
direction of Colonel Warre, moved rapidly
to the rear of the rifle pits, and flax bushes
on the road, which the enemy hastily ab-
andoned, retreating in the greatest confusion
towards the kainga, closely pursued by the
two parties. When I perceived these parties
turning the defences of the road, I moved
the 65th and 70th across the mouth of the
river, ascended the left bank without op-
position, and pushed them on towards the
redoubt which from the heavy musketry fire
and cheering of the 57th I inferred was
being attacked by that Regt. The third party
of the "advance" and the main body of the
57th commanded (in the absence of Colonel
Warre, who was with the two leading parties)
by Brevet Lieut. Colonel Logan, had after
crossing the river obeyed the instructions
they had received, but after replying for
some time to a sharp musketry fire opened
upon them from the the redoubt and
rifle pits near it, they assaulted the
work with the bayonet and entering
it with a rush, shot down, or bayoneted
all who remained inside to defend it.
I had the satisfaction of witnessing the
gallantry of the 57th at this point and the
desperate resistance made by the enemy in
their rifle pits. Major Mulock's column
arrived at the spot before the contest was
terminated but their assistance was not re-
quired; and Imoved them towards the