CHAPTER VIII.
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CHAPTER VIII.
THE attack on the escort proved that the natives intended not to retreat to the Waikato, but to hover in the long belt of bush which covers the Hunuia and Pokeno ranges, and so threaten the General's communication between the Queen's Redoubt and Auckland.
It, therefore, became necessary to establish posts at intervals along the road passing over the Pokeno ranges. This duty absorbed about 400 men, composed of drafts from the 40th and 2nd Batt. 18th Regiments and 60 of the Volunteer Militia, under Ensign Jones, who held one post at Baird's Farm. Whilst the redoubts were
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being thrown up, the troops were in tents, and had to keep continual watch day and night, each picket taking turn and turn about every four hours, during which time the picket lay concealed behind logs and stumps waiting for the enemy to make his appearance. He, however, did not do so, being evidently well posted up in the strength and tactics of the troops. During this time the soldiers suffered severely, the weather being wet and cold.
The regiments in the field with General Cameron at the commencement of hostilities consisted of the 65th, 40th, 12th (except one company, which was at Hobart Town, but arrived shortly afterwards), the 70th, 2nd Batt. 14th (less three companies stationed at Wellington), and one wing head quarters of the 2nd Batt. 18th Royal Irish; Captain Mercer's Field Battery Royal Artillery, and a company of Royal Engineers -- in all, about 4000 Imperial troops. The 57th Regiment was in New Zealand, but stationed at Taranaki and Wanganui, and did not take an active part in the subjugation of the Waikato tribes. To supplement the above forces, considerably over 1000 Militia and Volunteers were placed in the field. (At a later period of the campaign the General received further large reinforcements in the shape of the remaining wing of the 2nd Batt. 18th Regiment, the 50th, 43rd, and 68th Regiments of Foot, together with another Field Battery of Artillery, the Military Train, Detachments of Royal Engineers and Army Hospital Corps). To these Imperial troops were added four Regiments of Colonial Militia recruited in the Australasian colonies, each regiment being 1000 strong. These, were destined for the permanent military occupation of the Waikato. The above army was materially assisted by the Naval Brigade, formed of seamen and marines landed from the different ships of war on the station, under the direction of Commodore Wiseman, H. M. S. Curacoa.
Immediately after the engagement at Koheroa and the attack on the escort, the citizens of Auckland were called upon to take the field and share with her Majesty's forces the honours and fatigues of war. Accordingly, on Saturday, July 18th, the Albert Barracks, Auckland, presented an unusual scene of bustle and excitement. The Militia and Volunteers were ordered to Otahuhu for active service. Crowds of citizens assembled to give "God speed" to their relations and friends. There were many aching hearts in Auckland city that day. Fathers pressed the hands of their sons; mothers embraced their boys--many of them but 16, and not strong enough to bear the fatigues of a march hampered with the heavy rifle and accoutrements served out. Some of these lads, it is said, fell down on the march exhausted. Sweethearts came to cry, and waive their handkerchiefs to their beloved; and numbers came out of curiosity to see them off, as they would have come to have seen a regiment of regulars, or a spectacle of any sort. The detachments would not be away long, only a week, it was said--delusive hope to the fond mothers who tried to console themselves with the idea that their boys would be with them again in a few days. The days passed and they did not come; weeks went; and it was over a month before they returned. Many of them, never; and many came back only to pine away, and die--for they had been smitten by a foe more terrible than the Maori, a foe called Fever and Ague, wrestled with in wet tents and the malarious camp at Drury. But the bugles are sounding the fall-in, the detachments form into line, and the command is given, "Fours right; quick march!" the Volunteer Band in front strikes up a lively air, the sentry at the gate presents arms, and the companies march out, followed by a cheering, surging crowd.
