514
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

two 12-pounder Armstrong's, and the Naval
6-pounder, under Lieut. Alexander, R.N.,
in which the two gunboats joined, and it
being now nearly five o'clock, I determined
not to wait any longer for the landing of the
40th from the steamers, and gave the word
for the assault. This was brilliantly executed
by the troops, who had to pass over a dis-
tance of 600 yards in the face of a heavy
fire, the 65th Regiment leading and escalading
the enemy's entrenchment on the left.

After passing the main line of entrench-
ment, the troops wheeled to the left towards
the enemy's centre, and came under fire of
the line of rifle pits facing the Waikato
River. This they at once stormed and
carried, driving the enemy before them to
the centre Redoubt, which they now defended
with desperate resolution.

While the troops were forcing their way
over the parapet of the main line, as already
described, I was glad to perceive that the
40th were landing sufficiently near the point
I had indicated to enable them to carry and
occupy the ridge in rear, and to pour a heavy
fire on a body of the enemy, who were driven
by them from that part of the position, and
fled by the Waikare Swamp. In this part of
the attack, they were joined by a portion of
the 65th Regiment detached from the main
body after the latter had passed the main line
of entrenchment.

The troops who carried the main line being
still checked by the fire from the centre
Redoubt, two separate assaults were made on
this work—the first by 36 of the Royal
Artillery, armed with revolvers, and led by
Captain Mercer; the second by 90 seamen
of the Royal Navy, armed in a similar
manner, and led by Commander Mayne,
under the personal direction of Sir William
Wiseman.

Both attacks were unsuccessful on account
of the formidable nature of the work, and
the overwhelming fire which was brought to
bear on the assailants. An attempt was also
made by a party of seamen under Commander
Phillimore to dislodge the enemy with hand
grenades, thrown into the work.

It being now nearly dark, I resolved to
wait the return of daylight before under-
taking further operations, the troops remain-
ing in the several positions they had gained,
in which they almost completely enveloped
the enemy.

Shortly after daylight on the 21st, the
white flag was hoisted by the enemy, of
whom 183 surrendered unconditionally, gave
up their arms, and became prisoners of war.

The exact strength and loss of the enemy
I have been unable to ascertain, but he must
have suffered severely. We buried 36 bodies,
and there is no doubt a large number were
shot or drowned in attempting to escape
across the swamp of Waikare Lake.

Their wounded must have been removed
during the night, as there were none among
the prisoners.

Our loss, necessarily severe in carrying so
formidable a position, testifies to the gallantry
of the troops I have the honor to command,
and also, I am bound to say, to the bravery
and determination of its defenders. I enclose
a list of casualties. Your Excellency will
observe that it includes a large proportion of
officers, most of those who led in the different
attacks being severely wounded.

It will afford me the highest gratification
to report to the Right Honorable the
Secretary of State for War, and to His
Royal Highness the Field Marshal Com-
manding-in-Chief, the admirable conduct of
the troops engaged on this occasion, and to
bring to their special notice the names of
those officers and men who more particularly
distinguished themselves.

I have, &c.,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lieut.-General.

His Excellency Sir George, K.C.B.

Lieut.-General Cameron to the Governor.

Head Quarters,
Camp, Rangariri, 26th Nov., 1863.

SIR, Since I closed my Despatch of the
24th instant, I have received intelligence of
the death of Captain Mercer, commanding
Royal Artillery on this station, from the effect
of wounds received in the action of the 20th
instant, whilst gallantly leading his men to an
assault on the enemy's strongest work.

I regard the loss of this able, zealous, and
energetic officer at the present moment as a
serious misfortune.

Your Excellency having been intimately
acquainted with Captain Mercer, and appre-
ciating his noble character and many sterling
qualities, will, I am confident, participate in
the grief felt by myself and by the whole force,
for the death of this invaluable officer.

I have also to deplore the loss of another
brave and excellent officer, Captain Phelps,
2nd Battalion 14th Regiment, who died in
consequence of a wound received in the
action of 20th instant. I have, &c.,
D. A. CAMERON,
Lieut.-General.

His Excellency Sir G. Grey, K.C.B.

His Excellency the Governor to Lieutenant-
Cameron, C.B.

Government House,
Auckland, 28th November, 1863.

SIR, I have directed that your Despatch
of the 26th instant, which I received in the
night, should be published for general infor-
mation, at the same time as your despatch of
the 24th instant.

I entirely enter into your feelings of grief
for the loss of the brave Officers and men
who have fallen in obtaining a victory, from
which may be anticipated such great advan-
tages for this country. I can assure you
that very deep sorrow for the heavy loss
sustained, and for the sufferings of the
wounded, is felt throughout the entire com-
munity, who will, I am aware, in a fitting
manner, express their debt of gratitude to
yourself and the forces under your command.

You must permit me, whilst expressing
my own sorrow for the loss of Captain
Mercer, Captain Phelps, Lieutenant Mur-
phy, Mr. Watkin, and so many gallant
men, to add that my intimate acquaintance
with Captain Mercer, has caused me in his
case to feel very keenly the loss of an
officer whose many excellent qualities I re-
garded with admiration and esteem.

I have, &c.,
G. GREY.

The Hon. Lieut.-General Cameron, C.B.