page 105

Chapter VIII.

We have mentioned that occasional expeditions were made against the Maories.

These expeditions were made, whilst the General was collecting his forces for a grand attack on the enemy, by small parties, with a view to prevent the Maories from destroying detached farms, shooting stray settlers, or carrying off their cattle, as they had been too much in the habit of doing during the war of 1861.

On one of these occasions the company to which Henry Ancrum belonged, to-page 106gether with another, was ordered out to pursue a party of Maories who had been seen hovering not very far from the camp.

On approaching the enemy it was observed that they had already begun, according to the universal custom of these natives, to entrench themselves, and in fact in a very short time they would have constructed a very formidable pah, which it would have required a very considerable loss of life to take.

And here we trust our readers will allow us to give a description of what a New Zealand pah really is, for although we have read many books on that country, we have never met in any of them a description which would convey a clear idea of a pah to our minds.

In the first place it is best to mention the situations in which the Maories generally place their pahs; and it can be con-page 107fidently stated that no engineers in the world could place them better with a view to the primary objects of safety to themselves, and danger to their assailants.

The position is then almost always on a rising ground, the approaches to which on all sides are perfectly bare, and open to the fire of the defenders for a great distance round.

The flanks are generally defended by a deep river on one side, and a deep swamp on the other, as in the cases of Mere-Mere and Rangiriri, or by a swamp on each side, as in the case of the Gate Pah. With regard to the shape of the work, it is generally made long towards the protected flanks, and narrow in breadth so as to give the least possible effect to the fire of artillery. And now we arrive at what is really the formidable part of the pah. Round the entire circumference is dug a deep trench, page 108so deep as to entirely conceal the bodies of the defenders, who, when they fire, have to mount on a step of earth or banquette, to enable them to see over the natural ground. This trench is not continuous or liable to be enfiladed, but is broken at every few feet by portions of the natural ground being left projecting towards the interior, and round which the trench is carried, forming, in fact, traverses. The outer trench is connected with the interior of the pah by passages through the solid earth, through which only one man can creep at a time. Then there are excavations in the centre of the work, generally covered over by trees, so as to be splinter proof, in which the garrison cook and live. Altogether the interior of the pah is somewhat like a rabbit warren. We now come to the palisading: this perhaps is the greatest defence of the pah. Immediately page 109round the outer line of the rifle-pits trees are sunk in the ground so close to one another as only to admit of a rifle or musket being thrust between. But this is not all. At a distance of about two feet another line of posts is attached to the first by cross bars, and called the hanging fence, because they only approach within about a foot of the ground, to enable the defenders to fire under them.

It will be observed from the above that when the attacking party, having gone through a deadly fire during their advance over open ground, approach the first palisades and attempt to cut them down, they are met by the fire from the defenders behind the second row of trees, who, being under the natural ground, can shoot them down whilst themselves in almost perfect safety. In addition to what we have mentioned, there is often a post-and-rail page 110fence placed at some distance round the pah to check the assailants and expose them to fire whilst climbing over it.

Such is the nature of a New Zealand pah; and it was lucky for the party whom Henry Ancrum accompanied that the enemy had not made much progress with theirs; and, in fact, had only just commenced to dig the first line of rifle-pits when they perceived the approach, of "Te Hohea," Hoia which is the nearest approach to the words "the soldiers" that they can make in their language, in which it appears that the pronunciation of the letter S is an impossibility:—for instance, Solomon is called Horimona, Saul, Haul ?, &c.

Now as they (the Maories) do not like fighting in the open country, they immediately, on perceiving their foes, retired into a thick wood which lay in rear of the right flank of the position they had taken page 111up. It happened that our little expedition was accompanied by a settler who perfectly knew the country, and who informed the commanding officer that immediately behind the wood, into which the enemy had retired, lay a deep swamp, through which, however, there were paths known to the Maories, but along which it would be dangerous to follow them; he therefore suggested that a small portion of the force should be sent round to the right flank, where a promontory jutted into the swamp, so as to be able to enfilade the enemy as they crossed it. This was accordingly done, and Henry Ancrum was sent with twenty men to perform the service in question. He proceeded at first rather to the rear, so as to get behind a low range of hills, and thus conceal his movements from the enemy, and then advanced on his way until he reached the promontory the page 112settler had mentioned, when he led his men along it until he reached a clump of trees near its extremity, which afforded a capital position from whence to assail any force which might attempt to cross the swamp. Nor had he long to wait: hardly had he had time to place his men behind trees, banks, and any cover he could find, when the sharp crack of rifles was heard in front of the wood, and he knew that the main body was advancing on the enemy in their position. At first, owing to the nature of the ground, the attacking force could not be seen; but gradually the skirmishers came in sight, and then the excitement of Ancrum's little party became intense.

"There they are,—there are our fellows!" cried lots of voices; "now they're coming on—now they've halted under the hill!—ain't they peppering them—but those Maories fire strong too."

page 113

"They're devils, be japers they are," said an Irishman; "haven't they got the pigs and potatoes; sure it's that teaches them to fight." "Now our fellows are advancing," —"now they are halted again and lying down; two or three fellows are down; who is that being taken to the rear? it looks like an officer; he's badly hit."—"Hoorah, see, there are some of our fellows have got round the right flank of the wood, and got in there; the Maories did not expect them on that flank; now we'll soon have them out; there they are, there are some running out. Now, boys!" and one or two were on the point of firing in the excitement of the moment, when Ancrum roared out—

"Steady, men! they are too far off, and a stray shot might hit some of our own men. Wait till they are nearly opposite to us."

page 114

The Maories who had first issued from the "wood (for to do them justice, the main body retired very coolly), had now approached a steep descent into the swamp, when Henry Ancrum ordered his men to place the sights of their rifles at five hundred yards, and commence firing. Several of the enemy fell as they approached the crest of the slope, and a great many more appeared to be hit in trying to descend it; but in this case it was evident that many had thrown themselves down in order to get out of the fire, as they were seen to rise and continue their flight. One of the enemy with great coolness deliberately settled himself behind a bush, and took aim at his assailants, and then continued his retreat after the remainder of his comrades.

But now a great danger menaced our little band, for a large portion of the enemy page 115instead of retreating across the centre of the swamp as was expected, took to their right, and made straight for the place where they were posted.

Henry Ancrum at once saw that the situation was most critical. It was true, that his men were entirely concealed behind the trunks of trees which grew close together, and that a steep incline led down from his position into the swamp; but how would it be if the enemy, who were so much more numerous than his little band, should be able to close with him, and the fatal tomahawk so often heard of in New Zealand warfare come into play. He instantly ordered his men to reserve their fire with the exception of a few good shots amongst them, whom he knew he could depend on, and who took deliberate aim at the advancing foe, handing their discharged rifles to their comrades, and receiving page 116back loaded ones to continue the fire with. It was evident that these tactics produced an immense effect on the enemy, a number of them fell; their advance often wavered, in fact, at times they almost stopped; but they were encouraged and led on by a celebrated chief called Rewi, and, if there were occasional pauses, their advance was again continued.

When the enemy arrived within three hundred yards, Henry Ancrum directed all his men to commence firing, calling out to them to take deliberate aim, and not to throw away a shot. The effect was at once apparent; so many of the foe were hit that they at once came to a halt; but they themselves commenced firing, and advancing stealthily from cover to cover, taking advantage of every stump of a tree or sloping bank that would protect them from fire, and evidently preparing page 117for a final rush on the devoted little band.

And now the moment of extreme peril arrived. Several of Ancrum's men were down, one killed, and the others wounded, but the remainder fought with the resolution of men who know that their lives were at stake, and that there was no hope of quarter if defeated.

And now the desperate rush was made. On came the chief Rewi, not the Rewi his double-barrelled gun in one hand, a long tomahawk swinging in the other, the bright steel gleaming in the sunlight. On, on he dashed; a dozen shots were fired at him, but he seemed to bear a charmed life. He is some distance in front of his followers. He has reached the left of the little position, the nearest soldier thrusts at him with his bayonet, but he jumps aside, the fatal tomahawk descends, a crashing sound is page 118heard, and a brave soul flits from this earth for ever; but the pause was fatal to the chief, for a moment he was nearly motionless. Ancrum seized that moment and fired.

Rewi sprang upright into the air, and fell dead. The ball had pierced his heart.

His followers halted, dismayed. At this moment a volley was heard from the left. It was followed by a ringing cheer, and on dashed the main body of the British with fixed bayonets.

They had been following the enemy round the edge of the swamp, and arrived but just in time to save their comrades from destruction. The Maories broke and fled; and not being troubled with any superfluous clothing or heavy accoutrements, were soon out of reach of their most nimble pursuers.

It was shortly after the combat which page 119we have endeavoured to describe above that the General, having completed all his arrangements, proceeded to attack the main body of the Maories, who were posted in a strong position on the left bank of the Kaiti Katikara river.

After their position had been reconnoitred, it appeared that there were only two places where the river could be crossed, the one being near the point where it fell into the sea, and the other higher up and near the right of their position, which was some sixty or seventy feet above the river, the bank being very steep, and in many places covered with fern. A road crossed the river at a ford near its mouth, and afterwards divided into two branches, one branch proceeding down the coast, and the other turning off towards the right of the enemy's position. The left of the enemy's position rested on the sea near the ford at page 120the river's mouth, which was guarded by an earthwork, some lines of rifle-pits, and also by bushes, which afforded excellent cover; and in fact the position of their line at this point was so strong that it would have been impossible to force the passage of the ford in face of it without incurring very heavy loss.

On the right of their position the enemy had constructed a very formidable redoubt at a short distance from the bank of the river. In front of this redoubt was a chain of rifle-pits, and again from this redoubt on their right flank, all the way along the front of their position to the sea on their left, there were more rifle-pits dug at intervals in every favourable position.

Early on the morning of the day after the position of the enemy had been reconnoitred, the regiment to which Henry Ancrum belonged moved up the river page 121opposite to the ford on the right of the Maori position by which it was to cross, under cover of the fire of a demi-battery of artillery which was placed in position a little on its right to cover its advance.

At the same time two other regiments were formed on the right of our position, and opposite to the left of the enemy, ready to cross the river when ordered; and a man-of-war stationed herself as near the mouth of the river as she could safely come with a view of shelling the enemy's position when the attack commenced.

A little before seven o'clock the action began, by the guns on our left opening fire on the redoubt on the enemy's right, and the rifle-pits which extended all along the front of his position, at the same time the man-of-war commenced shelling the position from a distance of about a mile.

After the guns had fired for some time, page 122Henry Ancrum's regiment commenced crossing the river. The stream was full of large stones, and deep and rapid; but the men battled bravely with it, and though it roared around them, and threatened to carry some of them away, they reached the farther bank without the loss of one of their number; but that bank was steep and high, and was in itself a serious obstacle—indeed, had the enemy lined it with skirmishers, some of their brave assailants must have bit the dust. As it was, the gallant band reached the plain above the river, breathless indeed, and exhausted by their efforts, but without any casualties whatever. Scarcely however had the two leading companies of the advance firmly established themselves on the crest of the left bank, when the Maories opened fire from the rifle-pits, and so industriously did they ply their musketry, that a thick cloud of white page 123smoke soon enveloped the whole scene, whilst the banks of the Kaitakara reverberated with its sonorous roll; still the two leading companies came on swiftly, surely, and silently, for the men were very savage and eager to come to close quarters, and they cared not to waste their strength in shouting, or their time in firing.

The natives for the most part did not await the onset; many fell back into the redoubt, whilst others dispersed themselves over the country. Some there were, however, who stayed and almost instantly "fiercely fighting fell" under the avenging bayonet.

Having carried the rifle pits in his immediate front, the officer commanding wheeled the leading companies to the right, and then extended, after which he pushed on towards the sea. This movement completely turned the enemy's left wing, and page 124the Maories, fearful that their escape might be cut off altogether, abandoned the earth-works on their extreme left, as well as the rifle-pits, and forthwith fled in dismay; thus the road leading over the ford at the river's mouth was opened, and the two regiments which it has been mentioned were formed on the right of our position were subsequently enabled to cross at this, the strongest part of the whole of the enemy's position, without having a shot fired at them.

But we must now follow the fortunes of our hero, who was attached to the portion of troops formed on our left in support of the attack on the enemy's extreme right. When, as has been mentioned, after crossing the river, the leading companies turned to their right, this body of troops advanced, and after firing a few rounds in reply to the musketry from the redoubt and the rifle-pits surrounding it, were ordered to fix page 125bayonets and assault that work, the soldiers required no coaxing, but dashed forward with ringing shouts. Then all in the redoubt who were in the least fainthearted, when they beheld this uncompromising advance, began bolting out of it with the most undignified haste. Still about fifty remained; these were grim warriors for whom even the bayonet charge of British soldiers had no terrors, so devoid of fear were they. They stood upon the parapet to receive our men, and resisted desperately, but in vain. In vain they discharged their muskets into the very faces of the soldiers as they scrambled over the parapet: in vain they beat at them with the butt-ends of their firelocks, and hacked at them with their tomahawks, formidable weapons fixed on handles sometimes eight feet long, like the ancient battle-axes. The British forces were not to be checked, page 126they leaped across the ditch, and clambered over the parapet. The Maories, unable to sustain the push of the bayonets, gave way, and the redoubt was won.

Henry Ancrum was one of the first to enter the work; but the soldiers poured in in one continuous stream, and the scene that ensued almost baffles description: the few remaining Maories, expecting no quarter, fought with desperation; the soldiers, exasperated by what they considered the murder of their comrades at Oakara ?, showed no mercy, and spared no one. To make the scene more dreadful the warrees in the redoubt caught fire from the blazing cartridge paper thickly strewn about, and the flames shed a lurid glare over a struggle where bayonet thrusts were exchanged for desperate blows of the tomahawk, until the last of the Maories lay a corpse within the redoubt he had so gallantly defended.

page 127

Many of the enemy were burnt in the warrees in which they had sought refuge. But just as all resistance had nearly ceased, Henry Ancrum, who had been endeavouring to stop the slaughter, observed a young native creep out of a warree which was blazing at the other end. In an instant, and before he could rise to his feet, a soldier had rushed at him with his bayonet, and would inevitably have transfixed him with it had not Ancrum rushed forward, and striking up the bayonet, endeavoured to make the Maori a prisoner. The young savage, however, sprang rapidly to his feet, and casting one look of gratitude to his deliverer, bounded like a deer to the parapet, and was over it in a minute. Several shots were fired after him, but without effect, and in a space of time less than it takes to tell, he had gained the sloping bank, rolled down it, ran along below it, where he was page 128covered from fire, and entering a neighbouring wood, was safe from pursuit.

In the meantime the General commanding, who had taken up his position at a place called the Crow's Nest, from which he could see the country for some distance round, as soon as he observed the attack commenced on the redoubt, ordered the two regiments on the right to cross the river, which, as has been previously mentioned, they were enabled to do without having a shot fired at them.

On reaching the further bank, these troops found that all resistance had ceased in the enemy's position, and were therefore marched down the coast to attack a village, which it was said had been fortified; this, however, turned out not to have been the case, as, before reaching it, they met some of our victorious advance returning after having burnt it.

page 129

So ended this very successful engagement. All resistance had ceased; not one of the enemy was to be seen anywhere. The troops rested for some time on the field of battle, and were then marched back to New Plymouth.