The New York herald., 1873-12-29


net has been.
THE AsHANTEEs PREPARING.
l After this little brilliant AFFAIR the Ashantees
seem to nave contented themselves with procuring
supplies for their starving numbers. cutting roads
through the bushes towards Abracampa and Dun
qua and avoiding th9 Scouts Of the allied tribes.
Rumors noated down occasionally that they were
suffering greatly from famine; that in order TO
satisfy craving hunger they lived on early yams
|: and unripe plantains, which disagreed so much
with them that they were fast perlshing from dys.
entery and famine fevers. This was borne out, 1t
seems, by the reports OF the scouts, who, 1t was
I SAID, frequently met the poor, worn-out name OF
an Ashantee who had died the fearful death of
\ starvation Meanwhile. in the quiet interval that
elapsed after the repulse which the Ashantees
had suffered at Elmina, Sir Garnet was not
idle neither in the bush nor at Cape
Coast The white mans tactics soreiy perplexed
the Ashantee chiefs. His scouts, mainly consist
ing OF ABRAMS. Kossoes and Wuniebahs, with
sprinkling OF Houssahs, were everywhere-now
along the line OF the main road, between the gar
rson posts OF Mansu, Dunquah and Abracampa,
and soon along the path between Elmina and
Abracampa, by Abbaye and Napoleon. His Ia
borers, under the command OF gallant offcer
called Gordon were extending their WORK beyond
Mansu, cutting road Prahward, who was not TO
be deferred by ever so many reports OF Wild ma
ture. and who kept his unarmed and delenceless
squad manfully at their tolls. Stores were also
being landed at Cape Coast by many hundreds or
tons. Huts for commssariat stores were put up
and hospitals, already prepared in England, were
being erected for the reception OF the sick. Am
munitlon and comestibes for the use Gf the troops
were conveyed by male and female porters in long
lines to the 'front.' and as day after day passed by
fotin from, tho fha ma
OF war was being safely transported and housed at
Dunquah and .Mansu, two days. journey from Cape
Coast.
.s WATCHING THE ENEMY.
While Sir Garnet and his star were thus busy at
Cape Coast the former never lost an opportunity
to CLEAN Information OF the intcnts OF the
enemy. OF every move made by the Ashantees
the scouts ana the cOmmandants Of the advanced
posts kept Sir Garnet well informed. The 10rce Of
the enemy was variously estimated at from 10, 600
to 10000, entirely too large force to operate
against in the bush with his detachment of marines
and blue jackets; but at the beginning Of this
month he heard that the Ashantee General-in-
Chief Amonquatiah had been recalled by the
King and that the enemy was now separated to
operate in small columns. One of these columns
was reported to be In the neighborhood OF Wam-
poh, small village not far removed from the main
II.
OF his opportunities, hastily collected what force
OF sailors and marines he could consisting Of about
200, and, marching from Cape Coast Castle. en-
camped at Assayboo, 10 miles distant. The next
morning he proceeded to Abracampa, three miles
from Assayboo, and ordered reconnaissance to
! be made by Lieutenant Poland with the irregular
native troops, who was fortunate enough in max
ing few Ashantee prisoners and creating some
confusion in the enemys van.
RECONNAISSANCE.
While Sir Garnet was resting this day at Abra-
campa o re reconnaissance was made by Colonel
Testing from Dunquah, a fortified post, situated
about 20 miles from Cape Coast Castle, on the way
to Coomassie This was very successful AFFAIR in
asmuch as the enemy was surprised in his camp
while at breakfast Several prisoners were taken,
q quantity or powder and camp furniture was
destroyed before the enemy recovered itself and
sought to redeem its losses by attacking in turn.
Following their usual tactics OF seeking the bush
and hiding in its leay coverts, the Ashantees
soon ensconced by hundreds all around their old
camp, and were blowing gunpowder away in quite
a lively manner. The British finding themselves
opposed so vigorously opened fire with their seven
Founders and rockets, which at the end OF a couple
of hours had the effect OF silencing the wary but
insolent Toe.
When the Ashantees were thus driven away the
reconnoltring force returned the Dunquah with
out opposition. Out OF nine officers engaged with
Lieutenant Colonel Testing five were wounded.
other losses were four wounded out OF West India
regiment, AZ wounded native allies and one killed.
The next day Sir Garnet moved from Abracampa
toward Dunquah, hoping to encounter the enemy;
but, taught by the signal defeat they had suffered
the day before, the Ashantees did not dare to make
their appearance. The commandant at Dunquah,
'
Artillery, had been requested by Sir Garnet to meet
him on this day at village half way between Dun
quah and Abracampa, but the native troops under
his command refused to leave the friendly shelter
Of the PALISADES showing plainly that no reliance
could be placed in the Fantee auxiaries.
MORAL EFFECT OF THE Reconnaissance.
Hitherto the Ashantees had boasted that the
white men were afraid to meet them in the bush,
but the manner in which they were met and forced
from their hiding places by Festing's people has
dlssipated the Illusion. Finding that nothing
more could be done against the retreating enemy
Sir Garnet after leaving force of so blue jackets
for tho defence OF Abracampa, returned to Cape
Coast Castle. Soon after the British Generals re-
turn 10 the coast the Ashantees once more ap-
peared on the scene. The Ashantee CHIEF, Anon
quatian, had sworn TO the King that he would
destroy the village OF Abracampa, and with this
a road through the jungle toward this post. His
people were said to be "busy as antsr upon the
work.
JUNGLE WAR
On the 5th OF this month the enemy appeared
out OF the jungle in force in front OF Abracampa
and at once opened fire. But the station was well
able to sustain such siege as the Ashantee Gen.
eral medtated or any attack that might have
been made. Besides strong pasade that COM
pletely surrounded the village, deep trench had
been excavated and the jungle cleaned for space
or $50 yards around. The attack began at harpasr
four O'Clock P. NJ, and continued without inter-
mission until half-past five O'Clock p. NJ, accom-
panied by vigorous tom-toming at all points and
much inharmonous shouting from lusty throats.
But the native troops, ensconced behind thick
wooden palisades, with superior weapons IN their
hands, were not to be daunted by never so much
tom -toming or inharmonious vocal music, and re-
plied with their Enelds with such good effect that