✨ Military Correspondence Publication
Numb. 53.
441
The New Zealand Gazette.
Published by Authority.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1863.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 8th October, 1862.
HIS Excellency the Governor directs the
publication of the following Despatches
with their enclosures, from Lieut.-General
Cameron, C.B.
ALFRED DOMETT.
Lieut.-General Cameron to the Governor.
Head Quarters, Queen's Redoubt,
6th October, 1863.
SIR,—I have much pleasure in forwarding
for your Excellency's information, the ac-
companying copy of a letter from Colonel
Warre, C.B., Commanding the Troops at New
Plymouth, enclosing a report from Captain
Atkinson, Taranaki Volunteers.
I have, &c.,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lieut.-General.
His Excellency
Sir George Grey, K.C.B., &c.,
New Plymouth, New Zealand,
30th September, 1863.
SIR,—I have the honor to transmit for the
information of the Lieut.-General Commanding,
the accompanying report from Captain Atkin-
son, the Senior Officer in command of the
Volunteers organised to patrol the settlement,
with a view to prevent the incursions of rebel
Maoris. It is with much pleasure I draw the
Lieut.-General's attention to the satisfactory
result of this encounter between the Civilian
Forces of this Province and the rebel Maoris,
and to the persevering efforts of Captains
Atkinson and Webster and the officers and
men under their command to carry out the
important duties entrusted to them. In all
weather, and at all hours, have these Compa-
nies sought the enemy; and it is to their con-
stant patrolling, not only the immediate
vicinity of the town, but the outskirts of the
settlement, that I attribute the little annoyance
we have experienced from the presence of, it is
now stated, some 500 of the rebels, who occupy
strong positions on the edge of the bush be-
tween the Bell Block Stockade and Mataitawa.
Captain Atkinson possesses all the energy
and perseverance requisite to make him a first-
rate "guerilla" leader, and he is most ably
seconded by the officers he has trained, as well
as by the non-commissioned officers and men
who form his force. They have co-operated
with the regular troops on several occasions,
and I am much indebted to their exertions,
their endurance of fatigue, and their willing
cheerfulness in the performance of their arduous
duties.
I am happy to state that no casualties oc-
curred, although the escapes of several of the
men engaged appear to have been marvellous.
I have, &c.,
H. J. WARRE,
Colonel Commanding Troops in
Taranaki.
The Assistant Military Secretary,
&c., &c., &c.,
Head Quarters.
Taranaki, 29th Sept., 1863.
SIR,—I have the honor to report for the in-
formation of the Colonel Commanding that this
morning, at 3.20 a.m., I left town with my own
and Captain Webster's Company of Bushrangers
for the purpose of laying an ambuscade in
the vicinity of the Bell Block. We planted, and
remained in ambush till 8.30 a.m., but without
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NZ Gazette 1863, No 53
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Publication of Military Despatches Regarding Taranaki Operations
🛡️ Defence & Military8 October 1862
Military correspondence, Taranaki, Volunteers, Rebel Maoris, Bell Block, Ambush
- Atkinson (Captain), Commanding Volunteers and Bushrangers
- Webster (Captain), Officer commanding Company of Bushrangers
- ALFRED DOMETT
- D. A. CAMERON, Lieut.-General
- Sir George Grey, K.C.B.
- H. J. WARRE, Colonel Commanding Troops in Taranaki