he
could make no impression upon the great Ashanti armies gathered in the
woods. Two regiments of natives were, however, enrolled, the one under
Lieutenant-colonel Evelyn Wood, the other under Major Russell, each of
them numbering some 300 or 400 men. It was decided that the advance
into Ashanti should be attempted from two different points. At the
southern point of the colony, where the river Volta forms the frontier
of the territory, Captain Glover, formerly of the Royal Navy, was
commissioned to raise a large native force. Upon the opposite side of
the Volta the people were in alliance with the Ashantis, and unless a
strong demonstration had been made at this point, they might at any
moment have crossed the river and attacked the protectorate from the
east.

The first operation undertaken by Sir Garnet Wolseley was an attack upon
several of the villages near Elmina, occupied by the Ashantis. The most
perfect secrecy was maintained as to the plans, for it was certain that
the enemy were accurately informed of all our doings. It was given out
that Sir Garnet intended to go down to Accra, some 50 miles down the
coast, and many of his officers at the time of embarkation believed this
to be the true state of the case.

On board ship all preparations had been made for landing, and before
daybreak the men-of-war were off Elmina. The boats were at once
lowered, and the marines and bluejackets disembarked. At Elmina they
were joined by several companies of the 2nd West India Regiment in
garrison there. A large number of native bearers were also in
readiness, these having been sent off the night before, with orders to
bring back stores.

Morning was just breaking when the force moved forward. For the next
three hours no resistance was met with. One village found deserted was
burnt.

As they passed along through the bush, the Houssas, who had been drilled
by Captain Rait, RA, kept up a tremendous fire, yelling and shouting.
But as their aim was quite wild and half the guns fired into the air,
much ammunition was wasted. Captain Freemantle with the sailors then
made for the left of the wood so as to divert the enemy's attention. A
heavy fire was poured in upon them by the natives, who were completely
hidden from our men.

The marines and bluejackets pushed on steadily in the direction of a
village which lay in the centre of the wood. The natives, who were
assembled in large numbers, kept up a heavy fire from