The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-19

RECONNAISSANCE, ana Dad reached nal way WIN Ms
force, consisting OF q couple OF hundred Houssahs
and few hundred native allies, when large
body Of the enemy Suddenly attacked It on all
sides. Though taken somewhat BY surprise ne
instantly formed square, putting the transport
porters In the centre, with their burdens. and In
this position fought 1t is said, for three hours
after which he retreated In order to Suttah, the
point he started from. He lost but few men CON-
paratively while the enemy's audacity was pun
ished severely.
Hardly day passes, however bur few are
wounded on either side. The Ashantees keep wei
under cover Of bush, and the British allies stick TO
the protection OF the palisades until they emerge
out In strong parties to reconnotre. This state OF
afairs will, OF course continue until the Prah has
been gained and the white troops will come out,
when something more decided will be done.
Sir Garnet informed me the other DAY that as
great force will ultimately move upon Coomassie
as Napier marched upon Magdala. This force win
be made up OF three batuaons of the line lwhtte},
one battalion OF marines and sailors (white). one
battery Of Royal Artillery (white,, one company OF
Royal Engineers (white), TWO battalions OF West
Indians, one battalion OF Houssahs, two battalions
OF native allies. Total about
NINE THOUSAND MEN.
You may imagine, then, with what interest we all
wait the arrival of the white troops. Their very
presence will revive every SICK man IN Cape Coast,
and inspire every weary correspondent who finds
the task OF feeling interested In these petty Skin
mlshes that now take place work OF real din
Guilty. Their absence In the meanwhile, causes
almost every man to sicken Of inactivity more
than the malaria. 1t is the inactivity to which we
are compelled that ascribe the sickness and
overpowerlng assitude which has already pros
trated so many. There is really nothing to write
about, nor hardly anything TO talk ABOUT We
make the most we can OF every little incident that
comes to our notice, and in the absence Of any
thing OF real Importance, we are inclined to think
sklrmishes great battles.
Sir Garnet must have felt that he was bound to
DO something to revive his fading energy, when
he last week took to his mind to 60 to the front to
examine personally into the state Of the advance
stations. He travels slowly from place to place,
as he has found out that 1t is highly dangerous in
this climate to expose himself too freely. Some
have expressed an opinion that 1t Is very unlikely
that he viii the end OF this expedition, simply
because he was too advanced In life to begin an
expedition into Africa, and that the climatic in.
nuences will tell severely on his frame. With this
opinion, however, l disagree. Sir Garnet is not
over forty years old, and is the youngest General
In the British service. To choose younger man,
therefore, the British government would have had
to entrust the command Of the expedition to q
young lieutenant colonel. However, Sir Garnet
looked remarkably well and hearty, and his
indomitabe energy promised everything that
could be required in q man to Ill his position.
II Sir Garnet should become invaded through fever
or other sickness it will be because he exposed
himself too freely to the sun and climate before
active operations began and to tell the truth, be-
cause the doctors of his STAFF have codded him too
much 1t is not every man That is a doctor who is
At to follow army to Africa in that capacity. Some
medical men, when they have to treat general
with medicine for slight ailment. make great
deal too much fuss about the matter and confne
him to his bed when for his healths sake, he ought
to be stirring. think this has been the case with
General Sir Garnet Wolseey.
We have lately had auxiliares from Bonny.
Prince Charles People and Prince John Jumbo have
arrived with force OF 100 men from King Peppe
and King Oko Jumbo-the rival OF the famous ia ia
Jumbo-of Bonny, to fight against the Ashantees.
The young princes have been educated in Eng
land, and are as proficient In what they have &C.
Quired al school as white boys would be-