Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-07-31
Defeat Of the Amazons.

deteat OF the Dahoman army before the walls of
Abbeokuta, town about 60 miles inland from
Lagos, in the Blight of Benin. The invasion
was wholly unprovoked, and their discontinue
is likely to have an important bearing on the de-
cline of the slave trade.-No%h I'm.
ABBEOKUTA, March 4, 1851.
1t is with the greatest thankfulnes5 desire
to communicate the joyful tidings of the defeat
OF the Dahoma King before the walls of Able
okuta, yesterday, and that they have fed accor-
ding to our latest accounts some 16 miles, and
that the Abbeokuta people are pursuing them
The motions of Dahomas have been watched
most thoroughly, by the people of the smaller
towns to the westward of this, and information
sent to the chiefs here. On Saturday morning
such intelligence was conveyed as convinced
the chiefs Of the necessity of arranging their
affairs for selfdefence. On Sunday the war
chiefs formed their camps in three companies
on the walls Of the town. 1t became evident
to me on Sunday evening, from the preparations
which saw going on, when returning from MIR.
Smiths church, where had been to assist him,
and from their talk which heard when passing
that a desperate encounter was before their
minds, and that they were preparing for it with
a spirit BETTING the occasion.
Yesterday Monday went out after break
fast to view the camps from one Of the heights.
did not direct my glass to search for the Da-
homans, not knowing the road they might take,
nor thinking of their being at hand. On return
ing home heard that they had been seen, and
that the advanced party of Egbas (the Abbeoku-
ia people, had exchanged shots with them-
Mr. and Mrs. Smith came up to see us for lit
tie change, having been so long i'll and Mr.
Dennis, who came on a visit to Badagry, about
a week since, also unwell, was also with us.
About II o'clock we heard rapid discharge of
| firearms, | was in the act of showing my in
terpreter how to form bullet mould out OF clay,
in his house, when we heard it. With great
impetuosity Of manner he called for his son to
bring him his gun, powder and shot, that he
might hasten to the fight; and with extreme
difficulty, restrained him, he frequently ex-
claiming, 81 cannot bear it must hasten to
the battle" He was restrained, however. My
cook, without saying anything, or our knowing
of it, took his gun and ran off and fought until
the Dahomans were retreating, and shot in the
fight one of the female warriors. Another con-
fdential servant ran off in the same manner
Having no arms, he proposed stoning the enc
my if they gave him an opportunity Goodwill,
who is Mr.. Smiths interpreter, and was left by
Mr., Smith to look after the premises, ran also
to the battle and all seemed to be beside them
selves.
In order to view the encounter, Mrs. Smith,
Mrs. Townsend, Mr.. Dennis and myself got on
a high rock on our ground, whence, with tele-
scope we were enabled to view it. The Daho-
mans advanced in compact lines or masses bear
ing all before them The Egbas endeavored to
check them at the ford of the river, but were
utterly unable. They therefore retreated until
with inside their walls. The walls were black
with people, They poured forth their fire upon
the advancing enemy, who were checked and
could not march straight on as they expected
but extended lines in front of the wall. A most
furious discharge of muskets took place from
both sides. The Dahomans extended their line
expecting to find weak place to attack, and
the Egbas extended their lines parallel W ith the
enemy.
At this stage of the battle observed large
mass marching in good order to the attack, and
feared for the result, but they also extended
Strengthening their companions. Mr.. Bowen
an American missionary, who lodges in oui
compound now joined us, he having gone ou
long before the Dahomons appeared, to see wha
preparations the Egbas had made, and was OF
the wall at the time of the first attack. He en-
couraged us by his account of the frmness o
the Egbas. Having once been soldier him
self, he had practical knowledge of warfare il
actual service.
After time we observed that the Dahoman
showed a disposition to retire, and also that tn
Egbas had outhanked them, and were becomn
the assailants, setting the grass on fire to an
nov their enemies, and firing on them wheneve
they could.
The Dahomans were now evidently retiring
but turning about constantly and dischargin
their muskets. They retired after awhile OF
of our sight, the firing becoming less and less
| Will, tb;s u,as roinr on the AbbeOkutV VIC
, men were leaving the town at the back, pour
inc ont before us with a few men with then
terrified and cast down. our compound was Ill
r led with terrified people. The Egbas now be
ran to show, in truly savage style some PROOF
, If their success, the first was the foot OF ma
: who had been slain, then the hand and foot OF
, woman. and after while living captive, ON
Of the renowned women sailors. followed he
, 70 the house of her captor, near my own; sh
was attired in sort of vest. She spoke to M
os freely as the ignorance of each others Ian
ruaoe would admit Of. The Dahomans retre'
. to the ford. Mr.. Bowen returned to the wall a
as n spectator, and told me he saw daring Tea
nerformed by few of the Egbas They wen
, and provoked tho Dahomans to attack them
which they did the Egbas fled, but suddenl.
faced about. and discharged their guns with ei
feet. He thought he saw four of the Dahoman
fall, but the smoke prevented distinct vision -
The Dahomans left many Of their party on tn