The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-16

the effect, and the Calling, which had its reputa-
ton previously endangered. had redeemed It's
fame and become more highly appreciated than
ever
THE NAVAL BRIGADE WORKING AsHoKE-"JoHS
BROWNS KNAPsACK, NO. NINETY-Two."
Yesterday morning the camp OF Prahsu which Is
rapidly assuming vast proportions, was stirred TO
its centre by the arrival OF the naval brigade, con-
sisting Of $50 picked blue jackets from the Cape
Coast squadron. These brave fellows had marched
from Barracoe seven miles from here. They ad-
vanced in perfect order along the road one half
singing the well known song, when Johnny
comes marching home,s the other half Keeping
step and chorus to "JOhn Browns knapsack Is num-
Der ninety.two." II any set Of men ever looked
adapted for hard WORK the 1.-THE bodied, son paced
men of the naval brigade did. Their frames looked
green, sapfu1 and their faces so CHEEKY ana
healthy that one could hardly believe they had
marched through the eighty miles OF irreclaimaDle
forest and swamp between Cape Coast Castle and
the Prah River. Sailors always march as II march
Ing were natural to them, as II they were ami
mated men, OF joints and muscles; while English
soldiers appear stir and rigid, more ike walking
machines In comparison.
the uniform of the sailors is the naval blue shirt
and wide pants, which they shipboard,
while they appeared somewhat jauntier IN their
broad brimmed straw hats, covered with a canvas
veil. The naval brigade Is armed with Snyders.
TuB COLORED TROOPS FIGHT MOLLY
To-day 800 Of the Second West India regiment
arrived, under the command Of Lieutenant Colonel
Weber, VINO has been rusticating so long with his
people at Mansu. The Second West India regiment
consists, as you may probably be aware. OF colOred
soldiers enlisted from the negro populations Of
Jamaica, Nassau and other British settlements.
Physically they are fine huge fellows, some of
them giants in frame, but as soldiers they
don't strike me favOrably. They are faith
full, loyal men though, and l suppose
are as ardent IN Queen victoria's cause as the
blue jackets are, and no one can rob them OF the
laureis they have already acquired on this cam
psign in the bush sKirmishes OF Abracrampa Dun
quah and Fasua But their appearance contrasted
unfavorably with that Of the naval brigade. Their
marching was q mere SLOUGH, q heavy, careless,
leaden walk. There was no dgnlhed military pace
among them; they jerked their heavy feet forward.
after which they permitted them TO fall, without
order, unison or emphasis, on the ground; anu OF
course, their bodies were ill regulated as their
pace. Their arms were swung about as If they
were using sedge hammers their heads bobbed
up and down irregularly, and their bodies swayed
indolenty from side to side, with downward
droop distressing to witness.
CAUSES FOR ANXIETY
One need only have glanced at either OF the bat
talions whose entree to Prahsu have described
to know at once where must lie Sir Garnets chief
anxiety. The naval brigade was accompanied by
a force Of carriers laden with baggage and ham,
m0cks which were almost dsheartening and the
battalion Of the Second West India was almost as
bad There were probably 800 carriers for $50 SOL
diers How many carriers will at this rate be re.
CURED for the FOrty-second Hignlanders, the
Twentythird Fusileers and the Ride Brigade At
q NhAc
troll carriers to come from For body Of 1850
I white men, 800 West Indians, 1000 native allies
| 500 Haussas and 500 irregulars, how many
carriers will be required to provision them
on the march to Coomassie A movable
force OF nearly 5000 soldiers exclusive OF their
auXliaries in the shape OF burden-bearing men,
requires no small amount Of provisions for thirty
days. The intention is to march en- nadsse on the
18th inst. across the Prah to the next camp, six
miles distant The bridge has not been completed
as yet. and the advance force, which was expected
to leave on the Sd, has not begun its forward
movement / have been at this camp now four
days. and not an ounce Of provisions have seen
arrive AS yet, although every new arrival must
pass before my tent door. as the tent Is planted
within few feet of the road. Ii we are TO leave
this on the 18th inst ana the expedition is des-
tined to have an early success this trans
port and control matter is really all-im-
portans. The road must in some measure
be widened to admit of the artillery
and rapid progress OF the troops, strong detach-
ment must always be engaged some distance
ahead, and supplies for such concourse Of men
as will follow ought to be constantly pushed for
ward. Unremtting attention and energy paid to
these matters Will far more insure the success
OF the expedition than the most consummate skill
in war tactics. because Sir Garnet is not about to
meaenre ha military knOWedQe with that OF the
Ashantee generals. He has only the task OF show.
ing the Ashantees to his gallant Scotch Highland
ers, iuslleers and rinemen, who will know now to
deal with them, without any generaship. This
is as certain as though it nad been an already
accomplished fact.
We nave come so far fairly enough; IL would be
9 thousand pities If any laggardness were shown
now and fine body OF white men compelled to
wait at Prahsu until they perished by hundreds
from the fatal unhealthiness OF the climate. do
not suppose that they will be permitted to remain
thus exposed; still, 1t is matter of anxiety that
four days have elapsed and we are not a foot
advanced forward. have confidence In Sir
Garnet that he has In him all the ele-
ments of q good leader-a bold, dashing,
intrepid chief-and II l hesitate to give him
the full measure Of praise that more enthusiastic
and less prudent admirers have already accorded
him II is that but wait to those elements OF
fitness for his work developed. In what has been
done heretofore Sir Garnet has evinced considera-
bic ability but Is in that which lies immediately
before HIM that ne must show the full extent Of
his genius.
THE RoYAL1sr ENJOYS UNDER GUARD.
The Ashantee ambassadors are closely guarded,
and any conversation with them is strictly pro.
hibited