the roofs of the
huts. As Captain Freemantle was advancing to find a better place for
the gun, he was wounded by a slug, which passed right through his arm,
but fortunately was able to continue directing the gun. The Houssas
under Captain McNeill were doing little good by their indiscriminate
firing, and indeed it was a matter of some difficulty to keep them
together. Colonel McNeill was severely hit in his arm, and subsequently
had to return to England from the effects of the wound.

A combined movement was made upon the enemy, who retreated from the
village before the dashing of the bluejackets.

From this village the force marched to the sea coast, whence a portion
continued their way some four miles farther, and attacked and carried
another village, where the Ashantis made a somewhat obstinate defence.
The force here was embarked by the boats of the squadron, while the
remainder marched back to Elmina. The distance marched by the seamen
and marines who had been up all night, was no less than 21 miles, under
a burning sun. In the course of the march several deep swamps, where
the water came over the men's knees, had to be crossed. The paths were
everywhere difficult in the extreme, and yet no man fell out, and only
four were admitted to hospital upon the following day.

The next engagement took place near Dunquah, where Colonel Festing
commanded the force. Sallying out to attack a large body of Ashantis,
he inflicted considerable damage upon them; but their numbers were so
strong, and they fought with such determination, that he was obliged to
fall back. Lieutenant Wilmot, who commanded eight Houssas of the
artillery, was early in the fight wounded in the arm, but continued at
his post until, an hour later, he was shot through the heart. A few
days afterwards another indecisive fight of the same nature took place.

A position of much importance, lying some three miles off the main road,
was the village of Abrakrampa. This place had been a missionary
station, and contained a church and several houses, besides the village
huts. It lay in the heart of the forest, and at night the sound of the
war-drums of the Ashantis could be plainly heard. The post was
commanded by Major Russell, with his black regiment, and he had with him
a body of seamen and marines. As, however, the amount of fever among
the white men on shore was very great, and the naval officer in command,
Captain Freemantle--for Commodore Comm