On that part of the West coast of Africa which runs east and west,
extending from the Bight of Benin to Cape Palmas, a portion being known
as the Gold Coast, are situated a number of forts, some of which
belonged to the Dutch and Danes, who lately ceded them to the British
Government.
The principal fort is Cape Coast Castle, and to the west of it is the
late Dutch fort of Elmina.
The largest river in this part of Africa is the Prah, which, running for
some distance from the north-east to the south-west, takes an almost due
southerly course, and falls into the sea about 20 miles west of Cape
Coast Castle. The whole region is almost entirely covered by dense
scrub or lofty trees, with a thick undergrowth of shrubs and creepers,
through which it is impossible to pass, unless where native paths exist
or a way has been cut by the axe of the pioneer; while in all directions
marshes exist, emitting exhalations destructive to the health and lives
of Europeans exposed to their noxious influences.
The Ashantees, a large and warlike tribe who had fought their way from
the interior, established themselves early in the last century to the
north and west of the Prah, and founded Coomassie as their capital,
about 140 miles to the north of Cape Coast Castle. Having devastated
the country by fire and sword, they soon after annexed the greater part
of Denkera to their kingdom, driving the surviving inhabitants to the
south-east, where they are at present settled near the Swat River, which
falls into the sea between Cape Coast Castle and Elmina.
The country between Cape Coast Castle and the Prah is inhabited by the
Fantis, a tribe which, although at one time warlike, have greatly
degenerated. Neither the Dutch nor the English have attempted to subdue
any of the neighbouring tribes; and though the people residing in the
immediate vicinity of the forts have been friendly, the Europeans have
throughout their occupancy been subject to serious attacks from the
savages in the neighbourhood.
The most formidable of these foes have been the Ashantees, who have on
several occasions threatened Cape Coast Castle, and numbers of the
garrison marching out to drive them back have been cut off.
The Fantis have been, since the commencement of this century, constantly
attacked by the Ashantees, and in 1820 they placed themselves under the
protection of England. A fatal expedition for their defence was
undertaken in 1824 by Sir Charles Macarthy, who, crossing the Prah with
a small force without waiting for the main body of his troops, being
deserted by the Fantis and surrounded by the Ashantees, was with all his
forces cut to pieces, three white men only escaping.
This and other successes over our native allies induced the reigning
king of Ashantee, Coffee Calcalli, to hold the British power in
contempt. The barbarous customs of the Ashantees almost surpass
conception. Their religion is the grossest fetishism. Human life is
utterly disregarded; and thousands of slaves are yearly slaughtered as
sacrifices by the king, their bodies being thrown into a vast pit in the
neighbourhood of his palace. In 1873, this black potentate having made
alliances with the chiefs of other tribes, sent a large Ashantee force
across the Prah, with the avowed intention of capturing Elmina, which he
asserted the Dutch had no right to dispose of to the English.
Destroying the Fanti villages in their course, they advanced to within a
few days' march of Cape Coast Castle. Every effort was made by Colonel
Harley, who was then in command there, to induce the Fantis to withstand
the enemy, while he collected such forces as were available for their
support. One of the bravest and most disciplined races in that part of
Africa are the Houssas, a body of whom were at once obtained from Lagos,
and who, with some companies of the 2nd West India Regiment and a body
of Fanti police, were marched to the front, under the command of
Lieutenant Hopkins.
The Fantis, however, though far more numerous than their invaders, took
to flight, and the force which had been sent to their assistance had to
return.
The Ashantees now took possession of Dunquah, from whence they moved to
the east towards Denkera. As serious apprehensions were entertained
that both Elmina and Cape Coast Castle would be attacked, the English
Government sent out H.M.S. _Barracouta_, Captain Fremantle, with a
detachment of no marines, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Festing, of the Royal Marine Artillery.
They landed at Cape Coast Castle on the 9th of June, when Colonel
Festing assumed command of the troops on the coast, and Captain
Fremantle became senior naval officer on the station. Martial law was
proclaimed; and as the inhabitants of the native town of Elmina showed a
disposition to revolt, on the refusal of the chiefs to give up their
arms the place was bombarded and set on fire, the rebels making their
escape. A large body of Ashantees, two or three thousand strong, now
approached Elmina, when they were gallantly attacked by Colonel Festing
with the marines, and a party of bluejackets under Captain Fremantle,
some men of the 2nd West India Regiment, and a body of Houssas.
The enemy advanced boldly along the plain, and were about to outflank
the British force on the right, when Lieutenant Wells, R.N., of the
_Barracouta_, attacked them with a heavy fire of Sniders, and drove them
back, on which Colonel Festing, ordering the advance of the whole line,
repulsed the enemy, who left 200 men dead on the field.
This was the first of several actions which ensued; but it was very
evident that no adequate punishment could be inflicted on King Coffee
and his subjects unless by a strong body of disciplined troops. This
was the opinion of all the principal officers acquainted with the
country. The British Government, however, not being at first thoroughly
satisfied of the necessity of sending out troops from England, appointed
Sir Garnet Wolseley, who had displayed his abilities as a general in the
Red River Expedition, to proceed to Cape Coast Castle, with a
well-selected staff of officers, and to make his report.
One of the most active officers at this time was Lieutenant Gordon, who
had raised and drilled a body of Houssas, with whom he rendered good
service during the war. He now formed a redoubt at the village of
Napoleon, about five miles from Cape Coast, and several others being
thrown up, the intermediate country to the south was well protected. A
further body of marines arrived by the _Simoom_.
In the meantime Commodore Commerell, who had arrived in the
_Rattlesnake_ from the Cape of Good Hope, made an excursion with several
other officers up the Prah, to communicate with the chiefs residing on
its banks.
Having had an interview with the chiefs he found near the mouth of the
river, he led his fleet of boats about a mile and a half up, when,
without any warning, an enemy concealed in the bush opened a heavy fire
on them. The commodore was badly wounded, and Captains Luxmoore and
Helden were also severely hurt, as were several of the men. On this the
commodore ordered the return of the boats to the _Rattlesnake_, when the
town of Chamah was at once bombarded, and quickly destroyed.
In this unfortunate affair four men were killed and sixteen wounded,
while so severe was Commodore Commerell's wound, that he was ordered
immediately to return to the Cape.
Space will not allow a description of the numerous engagements with the
enemy, in which all the officers employed exhibited the greatest courage
and endurance, although none surpassed Lieutenant Gordon and his Houssas
in the services they rendered.
On the 2nd October, Sir Garnet Wolseley arrived at Cape Coast Castle in
the _Ambris_, having previously touched at Sierra Leone, and made
arrangements with the governor for raising men from the various tribes
along the coast; steps were also immediately taken to form an army of
Fantis. The major-general, however, was soon convinced that the attempt
was hopeless; and, after a month's experience of the native forces he
was able to collect, supported as they were by marines, bluejackets, and
West India regiments, he wrote home requesting that the regiments which
had been selected might be immediately sent out.
In the meantime, Captain Glover, formerly of the navy, who had served as
administrator of the Government at Lagos, proposed a plan to raise a
force of 10,000 natives, and to march from the east on Coomassie, the
base of operations being on the river Volta, on which some
steam-launches and canoes were to be placed. Captain Glover's plan
being sanctioned, he at once proceeded out with the officers he had
selected to act under him.
He was now busily employed in raising the proposed troops, which, from a
thorough knowledge of the people, he succeeded in doing in the most
complete manner.
One of Sir Garnet Wolseley's first exploits was a well-conducted attack
on several of the villages in the neighbourhood of Elmina held by the
Ashantees. Keeping his plan secret until the moment the march was
commenced, he was able to surprise the enemy, who, however, stood their
ground until put to flight by the rockets and the Snider rifle. Several
officers and men were, however, wounded--Colonel McNeill badly in the
wrist, as was also Captain Fremantle.
The seamen and marines had been up all night, and marched 21 miles under
a burning sun, yet there were only two cases of sunstroke, and only four
men were admitted to hospital the following day.
Captain Rait and Lieutenant Eardley Wilmot, of the Royal Artillery, had
drilled a number of Houssas as gunners for Gatling guns and rockets, who
afterwards rendered admirable service.
Besides Captain Rait's artillery, two efficient regiments had been
formed of between 400 and 500 men each, from the bravest tribes, the one
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, the other under that of
Major Russell. Both these corps were well drilled by experienced
English officers, and on all occasions exhibited the greatest bravery.
So well-conducted were the attacks made on the Ashantee forces which had
invaded the Fanti territory, that at length, towards the end of October,
they broke up their camp and began to retreat over the Prah. They were
closely pursued; but many of the native allies, as on other occasions,
refusing to proceed, the difficulty of carrying on reconnaissances fell
mostly on the English officers.
In this work Lord Gifford especially distinguished himself. Colonel
Festing commanded the force employed in the pursuit. He had with him
Lieutenant Eardley Wilmot, in charge of eight Houssas of Rait's
artillery. While pushing on gallantly in front, Lieutenant Wilmot was
wounded in the arm, yet in spite of this he continued under fire, until
an hour later he was shot through the heart; and Colonel Festing, when
bringing in his body from where it was lying, was wounded by a slug in
the hip.
Abrakrampa, one of the British advance posts, was garrisoned by the
black regiment commanded by Major Russell, who had with him also a party
of marines and bluejackets. He had received orders to send the latter
back to Cape Coast, but just as they were about to march he received
information that his camp would certainly be attacked. The report
proved to be true. The enemy came on in great force; but each time that
they attempted to break out of the bush, they were driven back by the
hot fire kept up by the little garrison.
Major Russell immediately despatched a requisition for assistance, when
a body of marines and bluejackets from the ships in the roads were
landed and sent off. The Ashantees again and again renewed the attack,
but were each time driven back.
The British force marching to the relief of the place suffered greatly
from fatigue. They arrived, however, in time to assist in driving back
the enemy, who now retreated towards the Prah at a more rapid rate than
heretofore. While in pursuit of the enemy, large numbers of the native
allies again took to flight, proving how utterly unreliable they were.
Sir Garnet Wolseley's chief object now was, having driven the enemy
before him, to construct a road in the direction of Coomassie, and
prepare halting-places for the European troops which were soon expected
out.
Sickness, however, rendered a considerable number of the English
officers incapable of duty.
The pursuit of the enemy by the force under Colonel Wood was especially
harassing work. He and many of his officers were suffering from fever.
The Ashantees frequently halted and fired on their pursuers, though on
each occasion driven back.
As many bluejackets as could be spared from the ships were now landed,
and several officers arrived out from England. The major-general was
able to report on the 15th December 1873--"That the first phase of this
war had been brought to a satisfactory conclusion by a few companies of
the 2nd West India Regiment, Rait's artillery, Gordon's Houssas, and
Wood's and Russell's regiments, admirably conducted by the British
officers belonging to them, without the assistance of any English troops
except the marines and bluejackets, who were on the station on his
arrival." The Fanti country being cleared, a road towards the Prah was
now energetically pushed forward. It was 12 feet wide, cleared of
stumps or roots, swamps were either drained or avoided, or causeways
made over them, and all the streams were bridged. This task was
confided to Major Home, of the Royal Engineers.
The rough clearing of the first 25 miles had, however, already been
performed by Lieutenant Gordon.
Stations were selected, and huts erected for the accommodation of the
troops, and for stores and provisions. Means were taken to secure an
ample supply of water, either by digging wells or from streams in the
neighbourhood. At Prahsu the river Prah makes a sharp bend, within
which a large camp was formed, with shelter for 2000 European troops, an
hospital, and storehouses. Complete arrangements were made for the
accommodation of the sick. The great difficulty was to obtain native
carriers, who frequently deserted as soon as they were collected; and it
was not until some time had passed that the transport service could be
arranged in a satisfactory manner.
The plan which the major-general had arranged for the campaign was as
follows:--The main body, consisting of three battalions of European
troops, the Naval Brigade, Wood's and Russell's regiments and Rait's
artillery, was to advance from Prahsu by the Coomassie road. On the
extreme right, a native force under Captain Glover was to cross the Prah
near Assum, and, as a connecting link between him and the main body, a
column composed of natives, under the command of Captain Butler, 69th
Regiment, was to cross the same river lower down; while, on the extreme
left, another column of natives, commanded by Captain Dalrymple of the
88th Regiment, was to advance by the Wassaw road on Coomassie.