✨ Military Despatch Publication
Numb. 33. 297
The New Zealand Gazette.
Published by Authority.
TUESDAY, 28TH JULY, 1863.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 28th July, 1863.
HIS Excellency the Governor directs the
publication of the following Despatch,
with its enclosures from Lieut. General
Cameron, C.B.
ALFRED DOMETT.
Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt,
July 25th, 1863.
SIR,—I have the honor to forward for
your Excellency's information copies of
reports from Captain Ring, 2nd Batt. 18th
Regiment, and Colonel Wyatt, commanding
65th Regiment, regarding a skirmish on the
22nd inst. with a body of natives in the
vicinity of Kiri Kiri.
Colonel Wyatt and Capt. Ring, the latter
a very promising young officer, (whose gallan-
try in charge of an escort, I had the pleasure
of bringing to your Excellency's notice a few
days ago) displayed great judgment and
ability in command of their respective detach-
ments, and the officers and men of both deserve
the greatest credit for their conduct in the
engagement; those under Captain Ring for
their courage and firmness in maintaining an
open position so long against superior num-
bers; and those of Colonel Wyatt's detach-
ment for the promptitude with which they
hastened to the support of the former, and the
spirited manner in which they attacked and
drove off the enemy.
This is the first occasion on which the
Militia of this Province have co-operated with
the regular troops in action against an enemy,
and your Excellency, as well as the inhabitants
of the Province, will be gratified to learn that
the detachment attached to the force under
Colonel Wyatt, is so honorably mentioned
by that officer.
I have, &c,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lieut.-General.
His Excellency
Sir George Grey, K. C. B.,
&c., &c., &c.
Camp, Drury,
July 23rd, 1863.
SIR,—I have the honor to request you will
inform the Lieutenant-General that, yesterday
forenoon, having been informed by a mounted
Volunteer that a man had been shot by the
natives on Mr. Hay's grounds, and that his
house was threatened, I immediately got my
available force under arms (as per margin*),
and proceeded in that direction, directing as
I went along the detachment of the militia to
crown a small kuoll, and thus protect the
approaches to Drury, and also ordering
Lieutenant Rait, R. A., and his troopers to
proceed in the direction of the Wairoa valley,
for the purpose of cutting off any marauding
parties. On arriving at Mr. Hay's, his son
Ensign James B. Hay, of the militia,
volunteered to act as guide to my party, and
I scoured all the bush in that vicinity with
*Royal Artillery
65th Regiment
Vol. Militia
F.O. Cap. Sub. Staff. Serg. Dr. R.&F
1 1 1 1 26
1 1 3 1 6 3 72
1 1 1 33
— — — — — — —
1 2 5 2 8 4 131
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NZ Gazette 1863, No 33
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Despatch Regarding Skirmish near Kiri Kiri
🛡️ Defence & Military28 July 1863
Military report, Skirmish, Kiri Kiri, 18th Regiment, 65th Regiment, Militia, Native engagement
- Ring (Captain), Commended for gallantry and command
- Wyatt (Colonel), Commended for judgment and ability
- James B. Hay (Ensign), Volunteered to act as guide
- ALFRED DOMETT
- D. A. CAMERON, Lieut.-General