✨ Military Despatches
Numb. 47.
385
The New Zealand Gazette.
Published by Authority,
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1863.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 14th September, 1863.
HIS Excellency the Governor directs the
publication of the accompanying de-
spatches, with enclosures, from Lieutenant-
General Cameron, C. B.
ALFRED DOMETT.
Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt,
4th Sept., 1863.
SIR,-I have the honor to forward, for
your Excellency's information, the copy of a
report from Ensign Dawson, 2nd Battalion
Royal Irish, of an attack made upon the
Patrol under his command, near the village
of Pokeno, on the morning of the 2nd inst;
with one from Captain the Honorable F. Le
Poer Trench, 40th Regiment, whom, on hear-
ing the firing, I ordered to proceed in support
with the Inlying Picquet from the Queen's
Redoubt.
The gallantry of Ensign Dawson and his
Patrol in charging the enemy without hesi-
tation, when fired upon suddenly from the bush,
their steadiness when they found themselves
nearly surrounded by superior numbers, and
the manner in which Captain Trench brought
up his support and assisted in putting the
enemy to flight, reflect great credit upon
those two officers and the detachment under
their command, which consisted of parties of
the 2nd Battalion 18th, 40th, and 65th Regi-
ments.
I have, &c.,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lt.-General.
His Excellency
Sir George Grey, K.C.B.,
&c., &c., &c.
Queen's Redoubt,
Sept. 4th, 1863.
SIR,-I have the honor to report, for the
information of the Lieut.-General Command-
ing, that on the morning of the 2nd Septem-
ber, I was subaltern in charge of the Pokeno
picquet, consisting of two sergeants and sixty
rank and file, leaving Queen's Redoubt at
about 7 o'clock a.m. When within about
half-a-mile of the village I was attacked in
my rear by a body of Maoris. I ordered my
men to face about and charge them. We
drove them down a gully towards the swamp
into the bush on the right of Pokeno village, I
followed them for about half-a-mile along the
track towards Paparoa. Hearing yells in the
direction of the village, I returned along the
track to the open ground where I was first
fired on.
On arriving there I was received with a
volley from the enemy, who were extended
across the whole of the clearing then between
me and the village, and also from the bush
on the right. I cannot too highly praise the
steady conduct of the men at this moment, the
enemy appearing in great force. I ordered
the men to remain in skirmishing order, and
to keep up a steady fire, taking advantage of
any cover the ground afforded. From the com-
motion I occasionally perceived, I conclude
that our fire was effectual, and that the Maoris
were removing their wounded. I remained
in the position I had taken up until reinforced
by Captain the Honorable F. Le P. Trench,
40th Regiment, who then assumed the com-
mand, and by his order I advanced with the
skirmishers.
I have, &c.,
CHARLTON DAWSON, Ens.
2nd Batt., 18th Royal Irish.
The Asst. Military Secretary,
&c., &c., &c.
Head Quarters,
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NZ Gazette 1863, No 47
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Publication of Despatches regarding Pokeno engagement
🛡️ Defence & Military14 September 1863
Military reports, Lieutenant-General Cameron, Ensign Dawson, Pokeno, engagement, Royal Irish Regiment
- Charlton Dawson (Ensign), Reported on attack near Pokeno
- F. Le Poer Trench (Captain the Honorable), Brought up support during attack
- ALFRED DOMETT
- D. A. CAMERON, Lt.-General
- Sir George Grey, K.C.B.
- CHARLTON DAWSON, Ens.