In an attempt to decisively engage Titokowaru McDonnell sought to attack Te Ruaruru village in behind Te Ngutu o te manu on 7 September 1868, but the colonials were defeated with very heavy losses. The force strayed close to the rebuilt pa where Titokowaru’s toa laid in ambush in the surrounding bush. The Maori eventually enveloped and split McDonnell’s force which suffered at least 30 wounded and 19 dead including Major (now Inspector) Gustavus Von Tempsky commander of No. 5 Division. Cumming fought alongside Lieutenant Colonel McDonnell whilst the force collected and carried off its wounded, and the commander later called of his adjutant’s participation in the battle:
I told Captain Cumming to come on with me. During the whole of this time the enemy were firing heavily at us in every direction. Our way had to be cut through supplejacks and undergrowth, which, with the eight stretchers we now had, was a work of toil and difficulty. We at length reached the creek that runs through [Te Maru], but still no track. Presently the news was brought to me that Major Von Tempsky, Captain Buck, and Lieutenant Hunter were shot dead...The natives now swarmed in our rear, and kept up a heavy fire, which I was obliged to return only occasionally, as my ammunition was very short; Captain Cumming and myself loading and firing now and then, and I was afraid the enemy might have got round to the crossing of the Waingongoro River before I could reach it. We attained the opening at Ahipai pa just at dusk; here we received a parting volley from the enemy.
Several men had been left on the field of battle and others were still missing, to filter back or be killed by Titokowaru’s warriors over the next few days. The reverse resulted in low morale, No. 5 Division’s mutiny and disbandment, and McDonnell’s fall from grace and replacement.
George Cumming was promoted to the rank of Inspector on 8 September 1968, the day after the battle, in order to fill a position left vacant by one of those killed. With McDonnell discredited Lieutenant Colonel George Whitmore, a retired Imperial officer who was previously Military Secretary to Major General Cameron and now Commandant of the Armed Constabulary, took control. Cumming was subsequently appointed Whitmore’s adjutant and chief staff officer. Yet the situation remained worrying with Titokowaru advancing south on Wanganui and establishing a new pa at Moturoa. It became clear that the colonials would again need to seek battle with the Maori in order to alleviate the threat, but many were hesitant to return to arms. Even George Cumming was so haunted by his experience at Te Ngutu o te manu―and perhaps thinking of his young family―that he confided in a friend ‘that if he was asked to go into the bush [again] he would resign his commission’.
Despite Cumming’s personal reservations Whitmore managed to talk him into rejoining the fight, and he bravely returned to the bush in command of No. 2 Division for the attack on Moturoa Pa on 7 November 1868. As Major Hunter’s No.3 Division supported by local Patea volunteers attacked the pa from the front, Cumming’s No.2 Division and Inspector Robert’s newly raised No.6 Division provided fire support with massed volleys, while kaupapa and elements of No. 1 Division under Major Kepa attempted an outflanking manoeuvre through the bush. But without artillery preparation the attack began to stall with heavy casualties, and a counterattack by the defenders around the flanks soon saw Cumming’s Division heavily pressed on the left. The attackers withdrew under considerable pressure from the Maori, and with 22 colonial soldiers killed Whitmore’s first battle was as disastrous as McDonnell’s last. As the armed threat to their stronghold’s reduced, Titokowaru’s raiding parties began to harass settlements close to the Wanganui township.
Inspector Cumming participated in the much anticipated attack on Titokowaru’s Pa at Taurganga Ika in February 1869. Unfortunately while the build up, reconnaissance and advance to the Pa had resulted in several skirmishes and casualties, when Whitmore’s troops finally stormed the stronghold they found it empty. As the Maori withdrew north away from the Colonial forces, they remained dangerous and continued to harass their pursuers. Cumming was visiting Lieutenant Colonel McDonnell―who had once again taken command of No.2 Division―at Camp Te Karaka on 17 February 1869 when ten members of a party sent to collect fruit were ambushed in a peach grove, resulting in seven men killed and McDonnell’s resignation. Despite the set-back Whitmore continued to pursue Titokowaru’s forces north, and by March 1869 had chased them back to North Taranaki. But government successes on the West Coast were counterbalanced by on-going troubles in the East.