New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-06
GEN. WOLSELEY'S EXPEDITION.

TOWARD TIE PRAH
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
CAPE COAST CASTLE, Oct 26.--It was after
tedious voyage of three weeks that ! was aroused
with the welcome news that were off the place
of our destination. There was, was going to say,
a rush upon deck. but people do not rush much III
this climate. The morning a clear one, and the
coast wholly free from the fogs or, they are
called here, smokes" which, in the damp season,
bring disease and death. We had therefore a clear
and uninterrupted view of the coast Away to our
far left was the castle OF Elmina with two British
war ships living mile off ready 10 steam in to the
assistance of the garrison should they be attacked.
Thence 10 the town Of Cape Coast the land was low.
Along by the coast wide strip of sand, upon
which the long, line of surf broke with roar.
which sounded like a moan when il reached us. AT
Cape Coast lying directly in front of the rounded
hills approach more nearly 10 the shore and upon
two of them. Immediately behind the town. are
perched round forts which would not stand two
rounds from Rodman gun, hut which are nearly
impre enable to the assaults of savages.
Cape Coast Castle, the edifce from which the town
takes its name stands upon mass of volcanic rock
upon the seashOre. 1t is from the sea an imposing
as well as picturesque cdfce with its tiers of guns,
and its thanking bastons and its line of coollooking
whtewashed barracks. But in fact it is even less
formidable than the little hill forts These at least,
are built of stone and mortar while the castle is
built of a mixture of mud and clay. 1t is a great
question whether the conclusion caused by tr1ng
our guns would not bring a considerable por
ton of il TO the ground. However, II is not the
less picturesque because the whitewash upon
its walls cOnceals clay instead of granite Be
hind it, rises upon a gentle slope the European
town. Here are the residences of the merchants.
with projecting verandas and cool lattices, to open
IL, Ioloa fcf na IarQ ia 10
eminent House, now the abode of Sir G. Wolse-
lev and his staff but we cannot it, for il is hid
den by the Wesleyan chapel, and among and around
all these cool, brght-loo dwellings are gardens
with oranges apples and all sorts of tropical fruits
At Elmina matters were still more threatening.
The town is the same distance from the main Asian
tee camp that Cape Coast is but the natives OF the
intervening villages are hostile instead of being
friendly and no intimatiOn would therefore be
given of an expected attack Numerous rowing par
ties of the Ashantees occupied all the villages TO
within cannon-shOt of the place and it was danger
GUS to stir ont few hundred yards without an
escort. 1t was clear, therefore, that fight was
more imminent at Elmna than at Cape Coast, and
to Elmna, therefore determined to CO. 1t is eight
miles TO the seashore, and was, as is the custom
here. carried in a hammock. At Elmina ! found
that there were rumors of an early attack, large
bodies of men having been observed moving about.
Ii was upon the evening of the day after my ar
rival that officer of my acquaintance whispered
to me: 4" You are in great luck. L can't tell you
what it is, but get up tomorrow morning at and
Won will see something. Not word to a SOUL"
While wondering what could be on foot, L deter
mined at any rate to act upon the advice, and at
once retired to bed, At the appointed hour was
up, and on proceeding to the castle found that all
were astir. / had no difficulty in getting the
O. ohio IN ernh
with the men who could be spared from Cape Coast,
and with all the marines and party of sailors from
the fleet All the troops in the castle We're to join
the party landing IN an expedition to beat up the
enemy and to burn his villages. This was
indeed piece of luck, and ! went down
TO the landing-stage at the mouth OF the
little river to see the debIrkation. The General
landed about $50 with his personal staff, and with
Capt Fremantle who commands the ships OF war
upon the station. IT too dark then 10 see faces;
but may say that the the British General is short
man spare and active His eye is quick and intelii-
gent, and he speaks with intonation of frmness
and command. Altogether, he Is man TO put conf
dence in His age is only little oyer forty, but he
looks five years older. Presently the boats with
troops began to come shore, having great diff
Guilty in doing so, for the water low and native
surboats had to go ont to take portion OF the men
from the heavily laden ships boats All escaped,
however, with no worse damage than thorough
ducking. These men of the I'd West Indian
Regiment composed of Jamaica negroes differed by
white men. They were in white jackets blue knickeT-
bockers, and yellow CATERS Their head-dress is fez
with white muslin scarf wound round it, These
with the men already in the fort, made up body of
$50 Then there $50 marines in blue serge with
white sunhelmets, and 80 sailors to work the little
cun and couple of rocket tubes. These, after
they had landed were joined by 100 Houssas. These
Houssas belong TO a Mohammedan tribe mp the
River Volta. They make, when accustomed and
attached TO their officers capital soldiers, and are
under these circumstances, az brave az lions These
men, however, had only been landed two days, had
scarcely learned the use of the Snider rifles provided
for them knew nothing of drill, and cared nothing
for their officers. They could not, therefore, be
looked upon as trustworthy troops They were
dressed in suits of blue serge jackets trimmed with
red and trousers of the same color and material cut
short at the knee.
Such was the force which sailed forth just day
light was breaking to attack an unknown number of
the enemy in his own strong hod, the bush. They
were accompanied bv about 300 native laborers, OF
whom a few were armed with hatcbets for cutting
paths through the bush, the rest carrying the gun
and rocket ammunition boxes upon their heads. or
the smalarm reserve ammunition. 1t was we'll
planned little expedition, and had been kept close
a secret that not soul In Cape Coast or In ElmlDa
with the exception of few of the officers of the
staff. had an idea of what intended. This sbso-
lutte secrecy was in the highest degree important,
for the Ashantees are known to have spies in both
towns, and as Cape Coast was left under the de-
tense of 50 sailors only we might upon our return
have discovered that the tables had been turned
upon us.
Soon after leaving Elmina we entered the bush.
The bush varies much. Sometimes it is compare
lively open, the ground being merely studded with