The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-24 00:00:00

MORE FIGHTING AT LAGOS.

The following aocount of the renewal of civil war
at Lagos has been furnished by an eyewitness of the
events he describes :

_ .
On the sth of August, at an early hour, a boat
came up the Lagos River from her Majesty's brig
Waterwitch, Commander Gardner, when that officer

I proceeded to the residence of the 1 g
I been reportei that civil war had broken out. &nue
i dispute appears to have arisen between the
King and Commander Gardner in reference
to the best course for the former to adopt
on the emergency, ho declaring that he
was fully prepard. Two rebellious leaders, Cap.
tains Ageing and Opellew, took, however, some hos-
tile steps when they were attacked by the king's
troops. The rebels then set tire to the town, and
the flames, aided by the sea breeze, destroyed the
whole of the king's side of the town. The tire con-
, tinued through the entire night, and everything
was in favour of the rebels, who approached very
closely to the king's palace. In the night the rebel
ttgeina sent a message to the British Consul,
Mr. Campbell, to the t tket • that he had no animosity
against the king, and though ho had gained con-
siderably over the king's forces, he yet was ready to
make peace if the king would promise to enact justice
for the injuries.the rebels had received from the king's
party. On the morning of the 6th Commander Gard-
ner and the consul went to the king and concluded
an armistice between the contending parties till the
9th, when a " palaver" was to be held for the adjust-
ment of all disputes. On Sunday, the ith, a report
arrived to the Effect that the pretender Kosako was
drawing near the town, accompanied by a large
number of canoes, to assist the rebels. Signals were
I made to Commander Gardner to again repair on
shore, and ho did so the following morning accom-
panied by armed boats. The report in question,
however, turned out incorrect, the armed canoes
having proved a body of allies of the king from
Badagry. Their arrival, however, induced the rebels
to send to Kosako for assistance, and after a fruitless
" palaver" on the 9th, it was ascertained that he
was actually coming with a large force. On the
11th the British consul sent a messenger to ascertain
the purpose of Kosako's coming, who replied that he
did not dose) with the view of commencing hostilities
but that having heard of King Akatois's death he
had come to take possession of the town, of which he
declared Ise was the rightful king. He also begged
the consul to give him a hearing, which the latter
agreed to do, provided he would approach the town
with two canoes only, which Kosako declined, as
beneath his dignity; and he subsequently advanced
with his whole force abreast of the palace. This
I force consisted of about 600 well armed men, with
several very large canoes, some of which carried six
heavy guns each. Very providentially her Majesty's
ship Penelope, with Bear-Admiral Bruce on board,
made her appearance the same day; the Polyphemus,
Commander Phillips, having also arrived the day
before. Circumstances soon assumed a different
aspect, seven large British men-of-war's boats being
sent up the river under Commander Phillips.
In the meantime Kosako and his captain,
Tahpa, landed at (*lieu's house, into which the
men? of-war's boats fired shot and shell; but they
were compelled to return to their station at the mis-
sion house, as night was coming on. This gave Ko-
sako and his three captains ample time to escape,
which they did.
In the night King Akatoi's party, who had not
fired a shot as long as Kosako's party was in the
town, began to burn and plunder all belonging to
their opponents within their reach: even the property
of Europeans and other residents was not sate. Ihey
made captives of all women and children who were
not under good protection, and scenes of the most
brutal and horrible character were enacted. The
only British merchant at Lagos sent to Commander
Phillips for protection to the women and children
who had taken refuge et his house, but that officer
replied that Akatoi had gained the day, and it was
therefore his privilege to make as many captives as
he could. One canoe full of these captured and un-
fortunate creatures was intercepted on its way to Ba-
daftly by the British squadron, to which place they
were being taken as slaves.
On the 3rd of September King Akatoi died sud-
deal y, having poisoned himself, according to report.
He had displayed great weakness of character, was
addicted to drink, and possessed no authority over
1 his chiefs. On his death Kosako sent a message to
the British Consul, expressing his intention of again
coming to Lagos as its rightful king ' • at the same
time he stopped all communication by river and
land, and Lagos was now threatened with famine.
The British Consul therefore sent to Commander
Phillips. who took a fume up the river, and, joined
by the troops of the now king. Demme, son of
Akatoi, was occupied for two days burning and de-
stroying some small villages. In the skirmishing a
marine was wounded and a Krooman was shot.
Having routed the enemy, the British returned to
their ships. For the more effectual protection of
Lagos, Lieut. Strickland, first of the Polyphemus,
had commenced a wall across the island on which
the town is situated.