t Fommanah on February 14th for Cape Coast,
and the European troops being ordered to push on, on account of the
commencement of the rains, the 1st West India Regiment was detailed to
relieve the 42nd as the rear-guard of the army. On it fell the duty of
destroying the fortified posts to the north of the Prah, and the removal
of the sick and wounded and stores. Carriers were still so scarce that
it was not until the 20th that Essiaman was cleared out and the stockade
destroyed, and the three rear companies of the regiment marched into the
bridge-head at Prahsu--which, during the advance to Coomassie, had been
held by C Company, under Captain Niven--on the 21st. On the 23rd they
crossed the Prah, and the bridge was then destroyed.

By the 27th of February all the European regiments had embarked for
England, the 2nd West India Regiment was under orders for the West
Indies, and upon the 1st West India Regiment fell the duty of
garrisoning the colony. Two hundred men were left at Prahsu, where a
strong redoubt had been constructed, fifty at Mansu, and the remainder
at Cape Coast. On the departure of Sir Garnet Wolseley, on the 4th of
March, Colonel Maxwell, of the 1st West India Regiment, administered the
government of the Gold Coast.

Previous to the departure of the General the following general order was
published:

"(General Order No. 43.)

"HEAD-QUARTERS, CAPE COAST CASTLE,
"_3rd March, 1874_.

"Before leaving for England the Major-General commanding wishes to
convey to the soldiers of the 1st and 2nd West India Regiments his
appreciation of their soldierlike qualities, and of the manner in
which they have performed their duties during the recent campaign.
Portions of the 2nd West India Regiment have been in every affair in
the war, and the regiment generally has undergone fatigue and
exposure in a most creditable manner.

"When, owing to the desertion of carriers, the transport
difficulties became serious, the men of both these regiments
responded most cheerfully to the call made upon them, and, by daily
carrying loads, helped to relieve the force from its most pressing
difficulties.

"In saying 'good-bye,' the Major-General assures them he will always
remember with pride and pleasure that he had the honour of
commanding men w