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NEW ZEALAND.
[From THE NEW ZEALANDER, July 5.]
BAY OF ISLANDS.
The Albert, government schooner, arrived
from the Bay of Islands, on Sunday night,
bringing the official details of the operations
against Heki's Pah, on the 1st instant.
Those documents have been printed in the
Government Gazette of yesterday; we now
publish them, issuing a second edition, in
order that authentic statements may leave
the colony by the Sir John Franklin, which
sails to-morrow for Sydney.
DESPATCHES FROM COLONEL DESPARD TO
GOVERNOR FITZROY.
Camp before Heki's Palh, 2nd July, 1845.
Sir,- It is with much more regret than I can
express that I have to acquaint your Excellency
that an attempt was yesterday made by the troops
under my command, in the afternoon, to carry
the fortified position or pah of Heki, without suc-
cess - and we were repulsed with heavy loss. The
particulars shall be forwarded to you with as little
delay as possible.
I enclose herewith a list of wounded. Many
of the latter, I am sorry to say, are severe and
dangerous.
It is impossible to say too much in praise of the
bravery and good conduct of both officers and
men.- I have the honor to be, your Excellency's
most obedient, humble servant,
H. DESPARD,
Colonel, commanding the troops.
To his Excellency Governor FITZROY.
&c., &c., &c., Auckland.
Return of killed and wounded of the force
under command of Colonel Despard, 99th
regiment, from the 30th June, to 1st
July, 1845.
Her Majesty's Ship Hazard.
Lieutenant Phillpotts, killed.
1 Seaman killed.
2 Seamen wounded.
1 Private of the Royal Marines killed.
Her Majesty's 58th Regiment.
Captain Grant, killed.
3 Sergeants and 11 rank and file killed.
2 Sergeants and 33 rank and file wounded.
2 Privates since dead.
Her Majesty's 96th Regiment.
3 Rank and file killed.
3 Rank and file wounded.
Her Majesty's 90th Regiment.
1 Sergeant and 14 rank and file killed.
Bt. Major Macpherson severely wounded.
Lieutenant Beatty, ditto.
Lieutenant Johnson slightly wounded.
Ensign O'Rellly severely wounded.
1 Sergeant and 21 rank and file wounded.
2 Privates since dead.
Volunteers - (Pioneers.)
4 rank and file wounded.
Mr. Henry Clarke, interpreter to the force,
severely wounded.
Camp before Heki's Pah, July 2, 1845,
SIR, - Annexed is a detailed account of the
action that took place between the troops under
my command, and the rebels, in the early part of
the forenoon of yesterday, as also of our assault
on the pah, and our repulse which took place in
the afternoon afterwards.
Finding the guns which I had brought with me
from Auckland quite inefficient for breaching, from
their very defective carriages,as they frequently up-
set from their own firlng, I requested Capt. Johnson
of H.M.S. Hazard, to send me one of his heavy
guns, which was accordingly brought up to camp,
a distance of fifteen miles land carriage, over
most execrable roads, with great labour and diffi-
culty, on the 30th; and during that day, a plat-
form was erected on the side of a hill on the right
of our position, the top of which hill was occu-
pied by our ally, Waka Nene and his tribe. A
sergeant's guard of the 58th regt. was also there,
to protect a six-pounder that had been placed
there, with a view of raking the enemy's position.
The Hazard's gun opened its fire about 10 o'clock
a.m., and while the attention of everybody was
occupied in observing its effects, a sudden attack
was made on this position from a very thick wood
close in its rear, and Waka's people were driven
from it. I was in the battery halfway down the
hill when this attack was made, when I instantly
ordered up a party of the 58th regiment, under
Major Bridge, who gallantly charged up the hill
so as to turn the enemy's flank, and regained the
position with the loss of only one man.
This attack showed me the necessity of coming
to an immediate decision, and I accordingly de-
termined on attacking the pah by assault in the
afternoon, as soon as the few shot brought up from
the Hazard, (26 in number), were expended,
which I expected would so loosen the stockades,
as to enable the men attacking them to cut and
pull them down. In pursuance of this resolution
a storming party was ordered to parade at three
o'clock, p.m., for this purpose, and I issued in-
structions for its guidance, as detailed in the
accompanying memorandum. The parties for the
attack were enabled to advance to within 60 or
100 yards of the point of attack, and there remain
unperceived by the enemy, in a ravine under
cover. When the advance was sounded, they
rushed forward in the most gallant and daring
manner, and every endeavour was made to pull
the stockade down. They partially succeeded in
opening the outer one, but the inward one re-
sisted, all their efforts, and being lined with men
firing through loop-holes on a level with the
ground, and from others halfway up, our men
were falling so fast, that notwithstanding the most
daring acts of bravery, and the greatest perse-
verance, they were obliged to retire. This could
not be effected without additional loss in the en
deavour to bring off the wounded men, in which
they were generally successful. The retreat was
covered by the party under Lient. Col. Hulme,
of the 96th regiment, and too much praise cannot
be given to that officer, for the coolnesss and
steadiness with which he conducted it under a
very heavy fire.
I must here remark, that the hatchets and axes,
as well as the ropes for pulling down the stockade,
and the ladders, were all thrown away or left
behind by those appointed to carry them; and to
this circumstance I attribute the main cause of
the failure.
I trust that it will not be thought that the cha-
racter of the British has been tarnished on this
occasion. One third of the men actually engaged
fell in the attack, and during the eight days that
we have been engaged carrying on operations
against this place, one fourth of the whole strength
of British soldiery under my command, (origi-
nally not exceeding 490), have been either killed
or wounded.
From Lieutenant Colonel Hulme I have recelved
every assistance during the whole time of time of these
operations, independent of his gallant conduct in
covering the retreat. Major Macpherson of the 99th
Regt., who led the principal attack, and was severely
wounded, also deserves every praise for the daring
manner in which he led his men to the assanlt, and
though slightly struck on the left breast at the com-
mencement, he gallantly persevered till struck down
by a serious wound. Equal praise is also due to
Major Bridge of the 58th regiment, for the cool-
ness and steadiness with which he led his men to
the attack, and his perseverance till called off.
Where every individual has behaved equally well,
it seems invidious to particularise names, - but I
cannot avoid mentioning the unwearied toil, zeal
and energy displayed by Lieutenant Wilmot of
the Royal Artillery, in conducting that depart-
ment with the most inefficient means. Captain
Marlow, Royal Engineers, and his departmemt,
gave me every assistance in their power while
labouring under the same inefficiency of means as
the Artillery. I must not omit either to mention
the able assistance and the active zeal that has
been displayed by Lieutenant and Adjutant Deer-
ing, of the 99th regiment, (acting as Major of
Brigade) whether under fire of the enemy, or in
conducting the necessary details. The three
officers with Major Macpherson's party, were all
either killed or wounded, Captain Grant, Lieu-
tenant Beatty, (who volunteered the forlorn hope)
and Ensign O'Reilly. The volunteers from the
New Zealand Militia, acting as pioneers under
Lieutenant Figg, deserve to be mentioned; and
that officer himself has undergone unceasing toil
of the most harrassing nature with zeal and energy.
Llentenant Wood, and the Militia Volunteers for
the Artillery, deserve to be Included in this com-.
mendation.
Captain Johnson, of H.M.S. Hazard, has given
me the most unwearied assistance in every pos-
sible way, from the commencement of our opera-
tions, by sending up supplies of all sorts, even
from his own ship, when our public stores were
deficient. The seamen and marines of H.M.
navy have always borne the same character for
bravery and intrepidity wherever they have been
employed, and the few, 18 in number, that joined
this expedition from H.M.S. Hazard, have nobly
supported the same character. Lientenant Phill-
potts, R.N. fell when endeavouring to force his
way through the stockade. I enclose herewith a
correct list of killed and wounded. - I have the
honor to be, your Excellency's most obedient and
humble servant,
H. DESPARD,
Lient.-Colonel 99th regt., and
Colonel on the Staff in N. Z.
To his Excellency, Robert Fitzroy,
Governor, &c. &c.
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