Note 134 — THE SECOND NEW ZEALAND WAR. 1860–66.

The soldiers blamed the sailors for the miscarriage of this affair, who retaliated by making a similar charge against the military. The day was closing when the assault took place, and it appears that when the party led by Commander Hay got into the interior of the “pa,” nothing could at first be seen but a few wounded Maories lying about, and concluding the place to be abandoned, some of the men began straggling in search of plunder. The enemy, who had lain concealed and secure from the bombardment, in holes dug out of the earth covered with turf and brushwood, suddenly rose up on all sides, and poured in such close and withering volleys that the stormers seeing their officers all shot down, were seized with a panic, and discipline was at an end.