The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-05
A S n A N r E E.
Herald Special Correspondence
from Cape Coast Castle.
THE HIGHLAND ER
Final Preparations for the March
on Coomassie.
CHE ONLY DIED OF DRINK -
CAPE COAST CASTLE

WEST COAST OF AFRICA, Dec. "a 1878.
Arriving from AIDA Forh found that the white
,roops consisting OF the Rine Brigade the Twenty
tnird Fuslrers and the Forty-second Highlanders-
the black watch-had at last come, to the immense
satisfaction OF Sir Garnet and mis- stan and the
press correspondents. Three troop ships-the
lamar, Himaaya and the SaTmatan-cOnveyed
the soldiers from their natal shores 10 the African
coast
/ HAD ALWAYS A STRONG DESIRE nc SEE
the Highanders ia their kills; aud from my know-
edge OF Africans was pretty certain that the
sight OF such splendid BODY of killed men would
have fine effect OH the native mind; but on visit
ing the Sarmatian l learned to my regret that
they had left their kits behind them and that they
breeched like ordinary British soldiers, in the
unpicturesque Norfolk gray. The cause was, am
told, that the kits were not fit for bush work;
that the authorities feared that thOrns and cacti
would have SO wounded the epidermis OF the SOL
ders that they would in a short time be disabled
from active service.
To me, an old campaigner on the West Coast OF
Afrca-having been here now seven weeks.
was amusing TO watch the officers faces They are
mostly all young men, OF very good families, with
cream-colored cOmplexions light hair and whis-
kers, as II they had all been turned out OF one
mould they appear so very much alike. They all
seem weighed down by the pervading thought =
lures consequently are cast in an interesting pen
sIve melancholy. Not that they are q bit afraid Of
the climate of however adverse future, but
they have heard so mucn about the disagreeable
climate that they naturally ieel anxious about 1T.
Each has taken great efforts to study the very
latest precautionary measures suggested by the
seers, who, fortunately or unfortunately. have been
10 Africa and still survive, and whose elusive CORE
spondsnce on the African climate have done more
harm than good. With ,sdtrete quite interesting,
these young Highland officers tell you Of the little
plans they have adopted to guard against the
cursed fever, OF the good advice which some friends
have been kind enough to give them, which they
think the best thing in the world. One beardess
boy, whose soft face and pure complexion neither
sun has tanned nor wind embrowned, tells US con-
hdentially that he has adopted the mosquito bar
plan. "They tell me it is sure protection against
lever. What do you think OF it ~ Another
an interesting, verdant youth-tells US he means
10 STICK to qulnne. 1.-TWO grains IN a glass OF
sherry, taken each morning before coffee or choco-
late, Will do the JOB sure pop won't 1t-dont you
think SO ?" he asks anXiously. Another, q feshy,
stalwart young man, whose muscles have found
ere this ample exercise over Scotch moors, Is de-
termined so eschew all liquors.
PRACTICAL YOUTH.
"None OF your brandies, sodas, sherries. gins or
people wouldn't die Of it it not that they kill
themselves by drinking" This he delivers with
the air Of one who knew all ABOUT it long before
Adam was created; and to prove how brave his
resolutions are he bawls out to the steward to
brew him a ''nice lemonade mixture" The stew
ards OF the Sarmatian complained to me that dur
ing The voyage the officers drank nothing but lem
onade '.Hi never seed sucI a tee total hin my
lile.' uttered CocKuey waiter as he passed oy me
bearing a tray loaded with lemonade mixtures
lnever saw such a number of
soFT-FAcED OFFICERS
belonging to any regiment. 1t may De that the
older officers have wisely stayed at home, think
ing that but very little credit could be gained by
such campaign as this and from the tendency
OF several authorities on the climate question
some OF whom are now at Cape Coast-to decrY
the character Of the unfortunate dead, they may De
right not to come out and risk their lives to earn
the epitaph, HE died OF drink
was at a party the other night, and the name
OF a fine young arcer who had lately died OF
African fever was mentioned. The English press
has proclaimed his name and deeds, and bestowed
on him an enviahle character, such oflicer
diving in the cause OF his country would be am
bilious to leave behind him for the satisfaction
OF his friends and the glory OF his profession, but
was never more shocked in my life than when
sion,
Eyes HE DIED OF DRINK, POOR FELLOW 7"
The reading world believes that to have
died a hero though comparatively humble one
but the world oil Cape Coast takes a different view
and says he died because 'he was drunkard.'
Mr. STANLEY LIKELY TO BE SHOT.
begin to feel anxious on my own account now
for am sure that If die shall only have died in
the cause OF journalism-that my friends may be
comforted with the general expression, "He died
OF drink" There Is but one way of dying in this
country to avoid leaving character Tor drunken
ness behind me, and that is 20 get myself decenty
shot as quickly as possible, an alternative that
am very likely to try-perhaps.
But was speaking OF the veterans who had
wisely stayed at home. don't know that they
have for should hardly think they would under
any circumstances; but must, therefore. come to
the conclusion that there is no officer OF the Forty
second Highlanders, unless 1t be the Colonel Sir
Archibad Allison, who has seen service How
these young butterfaces will stand the climate
and how they Will bear up under privatons in the
African tropics must be left for future letters to
tell. They will do their duty no doubt, and up to
the moment OF debarkation and the day of depar-
ture for the interior the British government Will
assist nature with prudent wisdom and care to
retain what energy they posses Tor the luldlment
Ol tuat outy. ine "bitc ieeimehIs VIII remain
CHARTERED on board the transports-nay, they
have already departed the roadstead seward for
cruise, which is to last ten days.
Meantime, during this cruise, Sir Garnet
wolseley will hurry the final preparations for
THE GRRAr MARCH.
The road has already been cleared OF bush as far
as the Prah River. Stores in large quantities, are
being conveyed to Prahsu the frontier post OF the
Protectorate, situated on the nlther side OF the
Prah. There are probably some 1900 carriers
altogether engaged in the work Of transport, and
each station is amply furnished with supply OF
stores. The arrangements Of hospitals for the sick
are superb, and strong force OF medical men has
been placed at each camp
The British government has been
LAVISH IN THE OUTFIT
for this campaign. Every imaginable thing
requisite for soldiers in health and in sickness is