Introduction.

The incidents of the Maori War of 1860–61 were published by me some years ago. The events which occurred then, chiefly in the Taranaki, were very interesting, subsequent "actions and incidents" were sanguinary and exciting, and afford useful instruction in Bush Fighting. As no other military or naval man (though many were very well qualified to do so) had given a detailed account of the last operations in New Zealand, I undertook the task, for I thought that in justice to the forces engaged, Regulars and Colonials, soldiers and sailors, their gallant deeds, their labours and sufferings, should be recorded. Thus I have introduced the name of every officer, non-commissioned officer, or private sentinel, soldier, or seaman I page viiicould discover, who is mentioned in any dispatch or report of a creditable action. I was liberally allowed by the Military and Naval authorities free access to all the documents at the Horse Guards and Admiralty relating to the Maori War, in order to produce a correct and authentic narrative, which I trust this will be found to be.