The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-20

The numbers OF tracks through the bush, seen ON
either side, indicate the reckless plunge INTO 1t,
prompted by fear and the many little camps OF
huts hastily constructed OF plantain froIids tell
too plainly Of the numbers OF men VINO had volun-
teered at the last moment to defend their ountry
at the call of their King.
The army strobe over the ground at an I'M
usually rapid rate. when we consider the hun
dreds of files which encompassed 1t, ana the num-
Der OF impedlments the best OF bush roads offer to
an army.
About two hours from Anaoful we came roa steep
precipice which led sharply down to a stream. A
little beyond the stream, overnOwed during, some
late rains had formed swamp disagreenbe to
traverse. There was depth OF black mGd, and
frequenr root tanges enough to delay lor few
minutes q rapid advance, and beyond the SWAMP
the road widened to about thirty feet, like g. broad
avenue. At this place body Of COO Ashantles had
chosen to dispute the passage Of the brigade under
Mcleod who with his artillery and Houss.s had
dlspersed them after BRIEF but sharp CO ntest
Evidences OF the bloody strife lay about ia this
avenue IN the shape OF human bodies welsering IN
their gore.
Mcleod halted not for this episode but pushed
his brigade on until
THE VILLAGE OF AssIMINiA
the complete rout Of the body Of Ashantees which
had attempted to dispute the passage OF the
swamp.
Assiminia, o small filthy village OF about "a score
OF nuts, surrounded by dense cottonwood and
plantain groves was the witness OF one of the
revolving sacrifices these cruel people make TO
their bloOdgreed fetiches. AS We emerged out
OF the village and resumed march again we
came to where poor young woman had newly
been slain by decapitation the body laid ont with
all due form and ceremony, the feet toward Coo
massie and the face OF the victim towards the ad-
vancing army as an tntmation OF what rae IN.
vaders might expect.
couple OF miles further on we came to another
small village, which had been the witness Of two
more late human sacrifices, one before en- terng
the village was q young man. the one beyond the
village was young woman, the same cer.mony
duly observed with each victim.
The forest retained the same external aspect OF
gloom aud sombreness. AT place bush and
forest thicKened until they presented an almost
impervl0us obstacle to light; in another place
thinned and long lines OF day brightness dispersed
the gloom and caused the varied notes OF song.
sters to sound more cheerily and to enliven the
march.
At about one P. NJ we arrived at the village Of
Agamamma, or
AGEMAuC,
situate at the junction Of the "ong" and the
''shOrt" roads leading to the capital.
1t was filthy village; heaps OF decaying plan
tain stalks, an impervious jungle and forest hem
ming the village in on all sides, almost made one
shudder to look at 1t. Yet 1t was an important
strategica point, and Sir Garnet occupied 1t with
a view OF making 1t post. Accordingly the regi.
ments. as they came 10. were set with their
swords to cut bush and clear camping ground
for themselves. 1t was wonderful how qulckly the
place rose IN our estimation when it was relieved
OF the gloom and It's oppressive vicnage ofjtngle.
and few acres OF clearing gave US q view rf the
bright day.
On the Sd Of February the army continu ed its
march. choosing the longer road. At the dis lance
OF a mile fr>m Agemamuw we came to where the
pckets had been posted, a few yards from the
village Of Edunku, which had the pleasant et stu
alton Of any yet seen, excepting Formann'ah and
Amaolul. II was on tabular eminence, above
which the talest trees in the valley but few
Ieat.
Half mile beyond were few huts, forming o
village called Lakrabah near where the az vance
maintained a persistent fling for some Time with
another budy OF Ashantees, in which affair about
twenty-five British were wounded, one or two
mortally. lew dead bodies Of Ashantees lying
along or close TO the ROAD denoted the struggle
that mad taken place, proving indubitabLy that
the Ashantees were nation OF warriors and an
infinitely superior people to the Fantees.
One mile further We came TO
THE VILLAGE OF ADwABIN,
and after a four mile march we came to the instg-
nincant hamlet OF Day-Day-Siw where the troops
refreshed themselves with wild oranges and
papaws. mile and quarter brought us to a
scene Of confusion which revealed itself to us
approached the Dab, orr the Ordasu River. The Eu.
ropean regiments were at WORK cutting brush, and
preparing room to camp in the jungle. The en-.
glneers were engaged IN constructing bridge
across the Ordasu Rivera shaggy choaed up
stream about twenty-five yards wide, banked VITA
tall, 0vergrOwn trees, and dense bush.
Here We received the news Of the fight which had
taken place during the day. Rats artillery had
suffered heavily; seven out OF twenty-five had been
wounded. Hume's engineers and laborers hnd also
suffered. and Major Baker Russeirs Houssas mad
been sufferers to some extent. The enemy. we
were told were in considerable force in our front
IN the village Of Ordasu, and every one anticl.
pated serious lighting next day.
That night was most depressing on the Ordasu.
We had left our tents ana everything or baggage
that was not absolutely required for the dash
upon Coomassie that Sir Garnet was now N lkng
at Agemamu. violent shaking OF the forest
tops informed US that tornado was bre wing, and
presently 1t began TO thunder; then the raia iel,
upon US poor benigated wretches, which almost
Slapped the lighting ardor OF the most warliGe. A
shot now and then ringing out loud and SHARP
through the dark, solema forest, caused Ts TO
think OF what was about to happen on the morrow
and what stubborn antagonists We had ia our
vicinity.
The night was long with some, but with m ., for.
tunately, 1t was very short, owing to the orovi.
ample oilcoth. naybreak of the 4th broke I'll rough
the forest foliage In seams Of leaden gray, the
leaves dropped distilled rain. the lower nasnes
drlpped disagreeably the mist hung thick and
settled or more than al hour, until sevea.- L. NJ,
when 1t began to clear up somewhat
AT half pas. SIX A. NJ MAJOR Baker Russell ard his
native regiment preceded by Gnord's scouts, ad-