✨ Military Battle Report
Numb. 60.
503
The New Zealand Gazette.
Published by Authority.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1863.
TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH,
FROM GENERAL CAMERON, RANGARIRI, TO
THE GOVERNOR, AUCKLAND.
21st November, 1863.
We assaulted the enemy's entrenched
position at Rangariri at 4.30 p.m. on the
20th, and carried it after a desperate engage-
ment. I regret to say our loss is severe.
Lieut. Murphy, 12th, and Midshipman
Watkins, R. N., and 35 men killed, 13
officers and 80 men wounded, including Col.
Austin, 14th regt., Captain Mayne, Lieu-
tenants Alexander, Downes, and Hotham,
R. N., Captain Mercer, R.A., Capt. Phelps,
14th regt., Captain Gresson, Lieutenant
Talbot, Lieutenant Chevalier. Adjt. Lewis,
65th, Captain Brooks, R.E., Ensign Ducrow,
40th Regiment: the greater part severely.
The enemy fought with the greatest determina-
tion, and held the strongest part of his posi-
tion during the whole night; being com-
pletely surrounded and cut off, they sur-
rendered unconditionally at 5.30 a.m. this
day. 183 in number are now prisoners of
war: amongst them several chiefs of note.
Enemies' loss has not yet been ascertained,
but is known to be very great. A party of
400, under William Thompson, approached
the position from the East, with a flag of
truce after the surrender. Interpreter was
sent, who states that William Thompson
appeared inclined to surrender, but his
people were opposed, and went back;
he has sent in his Mere by the inter-
preter, with what object I am not
aware. The king was present at Rangariri,
and escaped during the night by swimming
across the swamp, as did several others.
Total number of enemy present at engage-
ment not known.
Printed and published by ROBERT J. CREIGHTON and ALFRED SCALES, for the New Zealand Government,
at the Printing Office, O'Connell-street.
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NZ Gazette 1863, No 60
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🛡️ Telegraphic Despatch from General Cameron regarding Battle of Rangiriri
🛡️ Defence & Military21 November 1863
Rangiriri, military engagement, casualties, prisoners of war, William Thompson
17 names identified
- Murphy (Lieutenant), Killed in engagement at Rangiriri
- Watkins (Midshipman), Killed in engagement at Rangiriri
- Austin (Colonel), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Mayne (Captain), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Alexander (Lieutenant), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Downes (Lieutenant), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Hotham (Lieutenant), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Mercer (Captain), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Phelps (Captain), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Gresson (Captain), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Talbot (Lieutenant), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Chevalier (Lieutenant), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Lewis (Adjutant), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Brooks (Captain), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- Ducrow (Ensign), Wounded in engagement at Rangiriri
- William Thompson, Approached position with flag of truce
- (King), Escaped by swimming across swamp
- General Cameron