[Page, George Hyde] 1832-1908 :Fight at Battle Hill. Last stand of Rangihaeata. Horokiwi 1846. Lieut. Page, 58th Regt. [1846]

Shows the troops of the 58th and 99th Regiments advancing up Battle Hill towards a large tree trunk providing shelter for the soldiers. Several soldiers are crouched behind the tree trunk and firing uphill. Rangihaeata and his men are shooting downhill from a barricade closer to the summit of the hill.

V. R. refers to the blue serge blouses, with V. R. (Victoria Regina) on the back, worn by the Maori troops assisting the English (58th and 99th Regiments).

According to Mundy's 'Our Antipodes' (1852, p. 334) 'Major Last, with a strong force of troops, militia and native allies pursued the flying Rangihaeata. Hotly pressed the rebel chief soon turned to bay on a spot that had been previously prepared for a stand - a rough breastwork of horizontal logs pierced for musketry had been drawn across a narrow and steep spir of a thickly wooded spur - so narrow indeed that but few men could approach abreast and flanked by steep ravines. On the morning of the sixth of August 1846 this strong position was attacked with but littel effect and with the loss of a promising and much beloved young officer, Ensign Blackburn of the 99th Regiment and two privates killed and nine wounded. Two small mortars having meanwhile arrived the position was again assailed on the eighth but without success and the troops were withdrawn.'

Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - Capt. Hendersen, Major Last, native ... V. R. on the back.; Verso - bottom centre - [Title]

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour 365 x 472 mm