Thomas McDonnell
Encyclopedia
Thomas McDonnell was a 19th century New Zealand
public servant, military leader and writer.
, an early British merchant and speculator who served a brief term as Additional British Resident
, and his wife Anna McDonnell (née Patterson). He was raised first in Sydney
, then Horeke
, Northland. There he learned to speak Māori
and how to use the traditional taiaha
weapon. He tried his luck on the Victorian goldfields
from 1853 to 1855, then returned to New Zealand where he obtained a post in the Native Land Purchase Department under Alfred Domett
in Auckland
. After being paid eight months late, McDonnell resigned from that job and went sheepfarming
in the Hawkes Bay with his brother William, only to be defrauded by a third party. He returned to Auckland in 1862, and was appointed interpreter to the resident magistrate at Thames, panning for gold on the side.
, and saw active service at Rangiaowhia and Hairini in February 1864. On March 18, 1864, McDonnell was promoted to captain.
McDonnell went on to serve with Kupapa
forces in operations against the East Coast
Kingites
in April 1864, in Lieutenant General Duncan Cameron's Taranaki campaign
from January to July 1865, in the East Coast expedition
to Opotiki
from September to November 1865, and in Major General Trevor Chute
's Taranaki campaign in January and February 1866. McDonnell's kupapa had considerable success, notably in the Weraroa operation of July 21, 1865. McDonnell was rewarded with promotion to brevet major
on 20 July 1865, and full major on 8 January 1866.
He married Rose von Dadelzen at Auckland on 16 April 1866.
The same year McDonnell took command of the Patea
district, and was instructed to implement the survey of land nominally confiscated from Ngati Ruanui
. He provoked war by attacking the village of Pokaikai on August 1, 1866, and was known for his ruthlessness. Subsequent, largely successful, operations against Ngati Ruanui from September to November 1866 further augmented his reputation.
McDonnell acquired his own farm in the Patea district and built a house, but was called away to Rotorua
in early 1867 to fight the forces of Ngai Te Rangi prophet Hakaraia. He then went to Hokitika to put down rioting Fenian
goldminers, without bloodshed. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on April 25, 1867, and appointed inspector in the new Armed Constabulary a month later.
From 1866 to 1868 'Fighting Mac' was the colony's leading soldier, and was regarded as the embodiment of Pakeha
determination. This reputation was founded on his talent for self-aggrandisement and his widely approved lack of scruple as much as his courage, energy, and resourcefulness. During this time McDonnell was specifically criticised by Māori because of allegations he was part of a cavalry charge which killed a group of defenceless children. His career provided the basis for the character "Major Baine" in the 2005 film River Queen
.
However, McDonnell’s most important command was during Titokowaru's War
, which broke out in the Patea district on 4 June 1868, where McDonnell was put in charge of 1,000 men. The third expedition, on September 7, was a complete disaster, and resulted in the death of von Tempsky, with whom McDonnell had quarrelled in the preceding weeks. Humiliated by the defeat, critical of his superiors and subordinates, and depressed by the illness of his wife, McDonnell wrote bitter, recriminatory letters to the government, and was dismissed on October 14.
In December, burning for revenge against Titokowaru, McDonnell apologised to the government and returned to the war as a subordinate of his hated rival, George Stoddart Whitmore. But he suffered another embarrassing defeat at The Peachgrove, near Te Karaka, on 18 February 1869, and resigned. His wife died on 7 March 1869, adding to his misery.
Isaac Featherston
and Donald McLean, longstanding friends of McDonnell’s, came to power in June 1869, and McDonnell was given command of operations against Te Kooti
at Taupo
. Although claiming credit for the allied victory at Te Porere on October 4, an unsuccessful movement on Te Kooti's new position at Tapapa in January 1870 resulted in a severe reprimand and loss of command, this time for good.
. Together they had four children. He acquired £690 in government grants and £1,400 worth of freehold property at Wanganui
, and set up as a Native Land Court interpreter and land agent at Wanganui in 1884. He received the New Zealand Cross
on March 31, 1886, and published fragmented memoirs, as well as a fanciful 'Maori history' of the wars.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
public servant, military leader and writer.
Childhood and Early Life
Thomas McDonnell, Jnr was born to Thomas McDonnell, Snr.Thomas McDonnell, Snr.
Thomas McDonnell, Snr. was a timber trader and Additional British Resident in New Zealand...
, an early British merchant and speculator who served a brief term as Additional British Resident
Resident (title)
A Resident, or in full Resident Minister, is a government official required to take up permanent residence in another country. A representative of his government, he officially has diplomatic functions which are often seen as a form of indirect rule....
, and his wife Anna McDonnell (née Patterson). He was raised first in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, then Horeke
Horeke
Horeke is a settlement in the upper reaches of the Hokianga harbour in Northland, New Zealand. Kohukohu is just across the harbour. The Wairere Boulders is located in the Hokianga Harbour near the town .-History:...
, Northland. There he learned to speak Māori
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
and how to use the traditional taiaha
Taiaha
A Taiaha is a traditional weapon of the Māori of New Zealand.It is a wooden, or sometimes whale bone, close quarters, staff weapon used for short sharp strikes or stabbing thrusts with quick footwork on the part of the wielder. Taiaha are usually between in length...
weapon. He tried his luck on the Victorian goldfields
Victorian gold rush
The Victorian gold rush was a period in the history of Victoria, Australia approximately between 1851 and the late 1860s. In 10 years the Australian population nearly tripled.- Overview :During this era Victoria dominated the world's gold output...
from 1853 to 1855, then returned to New Zealand where he obtained a post in the Native Land Purchase Department under Alfred Domett
Alfred Domett
Alfred Domett, CMG was an English colonial statesman and poet. He was New Zealand's fourth Premier.-Early life:He was born at Camberwell, Surrey; his father was a ship-owner...
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. After being paid eight months late, McDonnell resigned from that job and went sheepfarming
Sheep husbandry
Sheep husbandry is a subcategory of animal husbandry specifically dealing with the raising and breeding of domestic sheep. Sheep farming is primarily based on raising lambs for meat, or raising sheep for wool. Sheep may also be raised for milk or to sell to other farmers.-Shelter and...
in the Hawkes Bay with his brother William, only to be defrauded by a third party. He returned to Auckland in 1862, and was appointed interpreter to the resident magistrate at Thames, panning for gold on the side.
Military career
On August 14, 1863, McDonnell obtained a commission as sub-inspector (then equivalent to ensign) in the colonial defence force. He distinguished himself in a bloodless but dangerous reconnaissance of Paparata in October 1863, with Captain Gustavus von TempskyGustavus von Tempsky
Major Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky was a Polish-Prussian adventurer, artist, newspaper correspondent and soldier in New Zealand, Australia, California, Mexico and the Mosquito Coast of Central America...
, and saw active service at Rangiaowhia and Hairini in February 1864. On March 18, 1864, McDonnell was promoted to captain.
McDonnell went on to serve with Kupapa
Kupapa
Kūpapa is a Māori-language term used to describe Māori fighting for the Government in the New Zealand Land Wars of the nineteenth century. Also described as Queenites or Loyal Māori, their motives for fighting against other Māori were often based on traditional tribal rivalry, old scores or a...
forces in operations against the East Coast
Gisborne, New Zealand
-Economy:The harbour was host to many ships in the past and had developed as a river port to provide a more secure location for shipping compared with the open roadstead of Poverty Bay which can be exposed to southerly swells. A meat works was sited beside the harbour and meat and wool was shipped...
Kingites
Maori King Movement
The Māori King Movement or Kīngitanga is a movement that arose among some of the Māori tribes of New Zealand in the central North Island ,in the 1850s, to establish a role similar in status to that of the monarch of the colonising people, the British, as a way of halting the alienation of Māori land...
in April 1864, in Lieutenant General Duncan Cameron's Taranaki campaign
Second Taranaki War
-Background and causes of the war:The conflict in Taranaki had its roots in the First Taranaki War, which had ended in March 1861 with an uneasy truce. Neither side fulfilled the terms of the truce, leaving many of the issues unresolved...
from January to July 1865, in the East Coast expedition
East Cape War
The East Cape War, sometimes also called the East Coast War, refers to a series of conflicts that were fought in the North Island of New Zealand from about 13 April 1865 to June 1868...
to Opotiki
Opotiki
Opotiki is a town in the eastern Bay of Plenty in the North Island of New Zealand. It houses the headquarters of the Opotiki District Council and comes under the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.-Population:* of the town: 4176 - Male 1,989, Female 2,187...
from September to November 1865, and in Major General Trevor Chute
Trevor Chute
Major-General Sir Trevor Chute KCB, 31 July 1816 – 12 March 1886 , was an Irish soldier in the British army, whose six week campaign during the Second Taranaki War was the last to be carried out in New Zealand by imperial troops.-Family Background:...
's Taranaki campaign in January and February 1866. McDonnell's kupapa had considerable success, notably in the Weraroa operation of July 21, 1865. McDonnell was rewarded with promotion to brevet major
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
on 20 July 1865, and full major on 8 January 1866.
He married Rose von Dadelzen at Auckland on 16 April 1866.
The same year McDonnell took command of the Patea
Patea
Patea is the third-largest town in South Taranaki, New Zealand. It is on the western bank of the Patea River, 61 kilometres north-west of Wanganui on State Highway 3. Hawera is 27 km to the north-west, and Waverley 17 km to the east. The Patea River flows through the town from the...
district, and was instructed to implement the survey of land nominally confiscated from Ngati Ruanui
Ngati Ruanui
Ngāti Ruanui is a Māori iwi traditionally based in the Taranaki region of New Zealand. In the 2006 census, 7,035 people claimed affiliation to the iwi. However, most members now live outside the traditional areas of the iwi.-Early history:...
. He provoked war by attacking the village of Pokaikai on August 1, 1866, and was known for his ruthlessness. Subsequent, largely successful, operations against Ngati Ruanui from September to November 1866 further augmented his reputation.
McDonnell acquired his own farm in the Patea district and built a house, but was called away to Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns...
in early 1867 to fight the forces of Ngai Te Rangi prophet Hakaraia. He then went to Hokitika to put down rioting Fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
goldminers, without bloodshed. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on April 25, 1867, and appointed inspector in the new Armed Constabulary a month later.
From 1866 to 1868 'Fighting Mac' was the colony's leading soldier, and was regarded as the embodiment of Pakeha
Pakeha
Pākehā is a Māori language word for New Zealanders who are "of European descent". They are mostly descended from British and to a lesser extent Irish settlers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, although some Pākehā have Dutch, Scandinavian, German, Yugoslav or other ancestry...
determination. This reputation was founded on his talent for self-aggrandisement and his widely approved lack of scruple as much as his courage, energy, and resourcefulness. During this time McDonnell was specifically criticised by Māori because of allegations he was part of a cavalry charge which killed a group of defenceless children. His career provided the basis for the character "Major Baine" in the 2005 film River Queen
River Queen
River Queen is a 2005 New Zealand film directed by Vincent Ward and starring Samantha Morton, Kiefer Sutherland and Cliff Curtis. The film opened to mixed reviews but performed well at the local box-office.-Plot:...
.
However, McDonnell’s most important command was during Titokowaru's War
Titokowaru's War
-Cause and background of the war:The immediate cause of the war was the confiscation of vast areas of Māori land in Taranaki by the Government under the powers of the punitive New Zealand Settlements Act 1863...
, which broke out in the Patea district on 4 June 1868, where McDonnell was put in charge of 1,000 men. The third expedition, on September 7, was a complete disaster, and resulted in the death of von Tempsky, with whom McDonnell had quarrelled in the preceding weeks. Humiliated by the defeat, critical of his superiors and subordinates, and depressed by the illness of his wife, McDonnell wrote bitter, recriminatory letters to the government, and was dismissed on October 14.
In December, burning for revenge against Titokowaru, McDonnell apologised to the government and returned to the war as a subordinate of his hated rival, George Stoddart Whitmore. But he suffered another embarrassing defeat at The Peachgrove, near Te Karaka, on 18 February 1869, and resigned. His wife died on 7 March 1869, adding to his misery.
Isaac Featherston
Isaac Featherston
Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston was a New Zealand politician, and was known for his advocacy for the establishment of New Zealand self-government, and the importance of the provincial governments.-Early life:...
and Donald McLean, longstanding friends of McDonnell’s, came to power in June 1869, and McDonnell was given command of operations against Te Kooti
Te Kooti's War
Te Kooti's War was one of the New Zealand Wars, the series of conflicts fought between 1845 and 1872 between the Māori and the colonizing European settlers, often referred to as Pākehā. This particular conflict covered most of the East Cape region and the centre of the North Island of New Zealand...
at Taupo
Taupo
Taupo is a town on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat of the Taupo District Council and lies in the southern Waikato Region....
. Although claiming credit for the allied victory at Te Porere on October 4, an unsuccessful movement on Te Kooti's new position at Tapapa in January 1870 resulted in a severe reprimand and loss of command, this time for good.
Retirement from Military
On April 9, 1870, McDonnell married Henrietta Elise Lomax, in WellingtonWellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
. Together they had four children. He acquired £690 in government grants and £1,400 worth of freehold property at Wanganui
Wanganui
Whanganui , also spelled Wanganui, is an urban area and district on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region....
, and set up as a Native Land Court interpreter and land agent at Wanganui in 1884. He received the New Zealand Cross
New Zealand Cross
The New Zealand Cross was introduced in 1869 during the Land Wars in New Zealand. The wars were fought between the natives of New Zealand, the Māori, and European settlers known as Pākehā who were assisted by British or Imperial troops....
on March 31, 1886, and published fragmented memoirs, as well as a fanciful 'Maori history' of the wars.