THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

387

the 65th Camp, until met by the reinforcement
under Colonel Murray proceeding to their
assistance.

I would also beg to bring to the notice of
the Lieut.-General the.conduct of Drummer
Henry Welsh, who, when Private Grace was
killed, picked up his rifle and emptied his
pouch of any ammunition and copper caps,
and thus prevented the
enemy from obtaining that trophy, and I
trust that the cool and determined bravery of
the small parties under the command of Color
Sergeant McKenna and Sergeant Meara will
be favorably considered and honorably men-
tioned.

Only one rifle was captured by the enemy,
that of Private Bellringer, who was killed
when with the advance Guard, which was
then fearfully outnumbered and hardly pressed
by the enemy, and slowly retiring in skirmi-
shing order.

I sincerely trust and hope the Lieut.-
General will make a favorable mention to His
Royal Highness of Lieut. Butler, who in the
late, and already in the present war, has
proved himself a most promising Officer, and
unsurpassed for coolness and conduct under
trying circumstances.

From my knowledge of the late Captain
Swift, I may safely say that I considered him
one of the best Officers I ever had the honor
of commanding, and one who held a high
position in the estimation of every individual
in the 65th regiment.

I have, &c.,
ALFRED F. W. WYATT,
Col. and Lt.-Colonel Commanding,
65th Regiment.

Alexandra Redoubt,
Tuakau, 8th Sep. 1863.

SIR,-I beg to state for the information of
the Lieut. General Commanding, that at 1
o'clock p. m., on the 7th September, 1863, I
proceeded under command of Captain Swift,
with the force as per margin, * to attack a party
of natives who had set fire to the friendly
native pah, erected on the Township of Cam-
eron for the purpose of trying to rescue Mr.
Armitage and a party of friendly natives who
were known to have been down there, also a
quantity of Commissariat supplies, brought
up from Waiuku.

Proceeding in skirmishing order, we
arrived at about 2 o'clock p.m., at the skirt
of the bush leading to the ranges on which
the pah was situated, and after an half hour's
struggle through the bush, we came to a
clearing, halting, the Captain ordered our
half-ration of rum to be distributed, sending
on the advance guard immediately after.
When, on having proceeded a few hundred
yards, it became apparent that the advance
guard had lost, or struck off the track, but
that we had gained it. I then proposed to

• 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 1 Drummer, 50 Rank
  and File.

Captain Swift to advance and act as scout to
the party, to which he immediately assented,
cautioning me not to proceed more than 30
yards in front of the main body. After ad-
vancing in this order for about 3/4 of a mile, I
observed tracks of natives, and in large
numbers ; this I pointed out to the Ctptain,
and a little farther on, I heard the natives in
loud debate, on which (expecting that they
were returning on the track that we were
pursuing,) I again informed Captain Swift,
who ordered the men to lie down in the bush,
at the same time ordering them not to fire
until he gave the word of command ; however,
on finding that the natives were not advanc-
ing, I crept up to within 12 yards of them, when,
from their conversation, I judged they
were under the influence of liquor. Captain
Swift immediately called to advance, ordering
the men to "fix bayonets and charge," we
advanced to within 6 yards of them when
they opened a most terrific fire ; Captain
Swift and Lieut. Butler were at this time
leading on the men, and after receiving the
enemy's fire, the men gave a cheer and return-
ed it in grand style, Lieutenant Butler shoot-
ing down a native on his right, turned his
revolver to the left-as quick as thought, I
saw him come on his knee, at the same time
discharging the remainder of the barrels of
of his revolver, bringing another native
down at the same time that he fell himself.
Seeing that he was wounded, I ordered
Corporal Ryan and one of the men to take him
to the rear, when he ordered me to lead the
men to the front ; on turning to my left I
found Captain Swift mortally wounded: and
after speaking a few words to him, he desired
me to take his revolver and lead on the men,
as at that time I was loading. With one loud
huzza, we charged, burning to avenge our
officers. I now found myself in an open
clearing of a few yards, the rebels flying to
cover on our front and left, where they
opened fire on my small party, who at this
time numbered 2 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 35
men. Seeing that we were greatly outnum-
bered, I determined to hold on our position, if
possible, until dark, trusting that the men in
charge of Capt. Swift and Lieut. Butler had
retired well to the rear, and been joined by our
lost advance guard; if so, I knew they would
be able to make well towards the Redoubt
before darkness set in, when probably I should
be able to join them ; but I found at about a
quarter to 6 o'clock that the enemy had got
round to our rear, thereby cutting off our
retreat by the way we came. I immediately
ordered a charge, but was met by a volley that
killed one and wounded 3 men. On trying
again, I found it hopeless to attempt it; I
therefore determined to retreat down the hill
which was covered with fern, and sending on
our wounded, I threw out a line of skirmishers,
odering the front rank to "fire and retire."
In this order we retired down the hill in a
steady and orderly manner, the natives
coming out of the bush and raining down