Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-06-11
THE DAHOMEY AMAZONs.

1t is rarely that Europeans are called
upon to believe in the existence OF amazons
fighting women prepared to do battle on
all around, the terror of the neighboring
tribes, dressed in the attire ofonale soldiers,
armed with muskets and swords. These
sable ladies perform prodigies of valor, and
not unfrequently, by fortunate charge,
save the honor of the male soldiers, by bear
ing down all before them, discovering them
selves to the astonished and abashed pris-
oners to be women, exceeding their male
coadjutors in cruelty and all the stronger
passions.
His majesty having asked me one day if
I would wish to see a review of the anna
IONS, to which l acquiesced with delight,
ordered three regiments to be paraded.-
The ground was changed, the men falling
back, and square was marked out for the
review. One regiment was distinguished
by white cap with two devices (blue alli-
gators another by blue cross, while the
third had blue crown. The officers were
recognized by their coral necklaces and su-
perior dresses; while each carried small
whip, which they freely piled when requir-
ed. After being inspected, they commenc-
ed an Independent firing, whilst at intervals,
rushing from their ranks, many of them
would advance to the foot of the throne, ad-
dress the king, hold aloft their muskets, and
then return and fire them. During the re-
view the ministers assembled on the left of
the king. On his right were some high Off
GERS of the amazons in uniform and neat
accoutrements performing their Offices about
the kings person. one held silver spit
toon, another the royal hat, third the club
"a handsome ebony stick ornamented with
silver; one proclaimed the conquests of the
Dahoman army, while two, as heralds, with
long trumpets, blew blast, and then bla-
zoned forth the numerous names Of Cezo,
the king of kings. Immediately in rear of
the king sat the "Light of the Harem," un-
der a handsome crimson and gold parasol:
around her many an envious maid, whose
turn it might be soon to be thus honored.
Their dresses were more gaudy than rich,
ornamented with coral and glittering leads.
In speaking of the two armies, let not the
sensualist imagine that Dahoman cam
paign is disgraced by freedom it would al
most be natural to suppose to belong to SO
curiously disposed an army, half male half
female. On the contrary, the latter are in
charge of eunuchs, oficered by their own
sex, and scorn the softer allurements of their
nature. To use their own words, 'they are
men, not women their nature is changed
they will conquer or oie!' Such express
sions could uot be openly used, even as
mere boasts, by women standing in jeal-
GUS position, emulating the most daring acts
and achievements of man, unless funda-
mentally true and with the certainty of be-
ing openly contradicted, and brought 10
shame, by their fellow-soldiers of the oppo-
site SEX Such then are the amazons, in
whose chastity we may believe, when we
bear in mind that the extreme exercise
of one passion will generally obliterate the
very sense of the others. The amazons,
while indulging in the excitement of the
most fearful cruelties, forget the other de-
sires of our fallen nature.
Superstition assists in the preservation of
the chastity of this most singular army. The
amazons are accommodated within the pre-
cincts Of the harem walls, and when abroad
share the honor of royal wives. The bell
announces to the traveller that he must not
gaze on them; and thus they have not much
opportunity of joining in conversation with
the opposite sex.-C Commander Forbes.