444
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

ing the crest of the hill, in the event of an
attack by a large number of natives. I re-
mained there for about a quarter of an hour,
but hearing the voices of a great number of
Maoris, I should say at least 200, I deemed it
advisable to withdraw my party to some more
open spot, and I accordingly moved back to
Allan's Hill, where I posted my men, and
waited until daybreak. I beg you will bring
to the notice of the Colonel-Commanding the
admirable conduct of the men under my com-
mand; the silent and orderly way in which
they behaved enabling me to surprise these
Maori sentries.

Ensign Broderip and Dr. Tomlinson were
with my party, and greatly assisted me in every
way.
I have, &c.,
EDWARD MILLS.
Lieut., 57th Regt.

Captain Wright, 70th Regt.,
Commanding at Poutoko.

New Plymouth,
October 2nd, 1863.

SIR,—I have the honor to report for the
information of the Officer Commanding the
Regiment, that, in compliance with instructions
received, I marched this morning with a party,
strength as per margin,† with orders to pro-
ceed to Poutoko. On the road I was overtaken
by Colonel Warre, C.B., who directed me to
advance to the Redoubt by the bush road near
Touett's house. Shortly after we had turned
down this road, I heard firing on my right, in
the direction of Poutoko. I at once strengthened
my advance guard, and pushed on as rapidly
as I could, and became engaged with the enemy
near Touett's house. The natives immediately
retreated to the bush, and opened fire upon my
party from all directions. Leaving a reserve on
Alwyn's hill to protect my rear, I advanced
towards the bush, but being met with a tre-
mendous fire, I got the men under cover
behind logs, &c., and endeavoured to keep
down the fire of the enemy. I then charged
the bush, but perceiving that it was occupied
by a very large body of natives, I desisted, and
got my men again under cover, and remained
at this spot until I received orders from Colonel
Warre to retire gradually; which I did, occu-
pying Alwyn's hill with the whole of my party,
and we then retired in good order towards
Poutoko.

I beg to bring to your notice the excellent
conduct of the two officers with me—Ensigns
Douglass and Down. The latter officer volun-
teered and with four men brought in the body
of a wounded man under a very heavy fire.
Drummer Dudley Stagpool I would wish also
to recommend most favorably to your notice;
for, although wounded in the head, he twice
volunteered and brought in wounded men. I
cannot, indeed, speak too highly of the conduct
of all my men; notwithstanding the superiority
of the enemy in numbers, and the exceedingly
heavy fire with which we were assailed, they

†1 Captain, 2 Subalterns, 3 Sergeants, 3 drummers, 94 rank
and file.

were cool and collected and obedient to orders,
which enabled me to retire with such slight
loss and in good order, in the face of a very
large body of Natives, who lined the whole
belt of bush to my front. I have, &c.,
W. A. SHORTT,
Capt. 57th Regt.

The Adjutant, 57th Regt.

New Plymouth, New Zealand,
2nd October, 1863.

SIR,—I have the honor to report that, in
accordance with your instructions, I pre-
ceeded at 10.30 a.m. this morning to the
Poutoko Redoubt. On arrival there I was
informed by Captain Wright, 70th Regiment,
that a party under Lieutenant Mills, 57th
Regiment, had proceeded to Hurford's clear-
ing early in the morning for the purpose of
laying an ambuscade, and had come into con-
tact with the natives, killing one and wound-
ing several. I was also informed by Captain
Wright that the Redoubt had been fired on
by the Maoris, and that he had reason to
believe that they were assembled in large
numbers in the surrounding bush.

I immediately despatched a Mounted
Orderly to Omata for reinforcements, and on
their arrival and on hearing that 100 men were
on their road from town for my support, I
proceeded in charge of the force detailed in
the margin* in the direction of Hurford's
Clearing, for the purpose of making a recon-
naissance and ascertaining as nearly as possible
the number and position of the enemy. On
arriving at Gilbert's Clearing, barely a mile
from the Redoubt, a very heavy fire was
opened upon my party from the surrounding
bush, by which Ensign Powys, who com-
manded the advanced guard, and four men
were wounded. I at once returned the
enemy's fire, keeping my men as much under
cover as possible; but finding myself greatly
outnumbered, I ordered my party to retire
steadily towards the Redoubt.

Learning, however, that 100 men of the
57th Regt., under Captain Shortt, were
advancing by the bush road towards the same
spot, I advanced my men again, and (the
enemy's fire being much weakened by
Captain Shortt's attack on their right) drove
them back from their position on the edge of
the bush, which I then occupied—the natives
still keeping up a heavy fire which was
returned by my men.

As the latter part of the operations was car-
ried on under your own immediate supervision,
I will omit further details, but must beg to
bring to your prominent notice the admirable
conduct of the whole of the force under my
command, and more especially I would wish
to mention Ensign Douglass and Ensign
Down—the latter officer having greatly dis-
tinguished himself by taking out a small
party and bringing in a wounded man; also
Ensign Powys, who behaved very well when

• 1 Field Officer, 1 Captain, 8 Officers, and 100 Rank and File
  57th and 70th Regts.