Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-09-27

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suusrins Coz 0.al 81 ustes.
Much has been sdded 10 the litera-
snre u soldiers sufe rings in var b
the rreeut expedition 81 conquest On
the part - his French against Dahc-
Iney. an independent aud war-ilze
kingdoln q wesiern Africa- Cen.
Dodds, the Freuch csafmnnder. took
the straiehtfst course with his expedi'
ton n Abomey. the capital. He was
met by the Eaho1Iey ans with splen'
aid aud deep< rate resistance, ia which
the famous corr cf Amazons. OF
wotnen soldiers. OF The king - Daho-
mey held prpmlnen. part. The az
s&ultlng fveneh did mol spare these
feminine warriors A letter froin the
expedition written 60 the laris Jour
nal DIES Dcbats contains this note;
I'VE were inthe midst Of an expaase
OF tall grass. 30 high that man GU
horse back could not be seen IA tho
midst Of il This made rs the victims
OF countless afnbushes nnd surprises.
But cur Lsbcl guns made havoc among;
tie Dahomeyans. Many brave Anna
ron paid-with her life the penaits OF
her warlike ardor.
AT FIRST we were filed with pity
when We came upon the bodies OF these
women warriors slain by our hands.
IL seemed shameful 10 fight against
womenl But they were furious crea-
lures. and &c knew what fate was in
reserve for us II we fell into their
hands. The 'strasglc for life came 10
mean more than considerations OF gal
lantry."
The courageous Anazons left the
FrcnehBen no rest. harvesting them
day aud night. The early engagements
OF the campaign thiDned the ranks Of
the famous corps terribly. but they
fought on with increasing despdra-
ton
I'VE had routed the Dahomeyans,"
the same writer records, land expect
ed no further serious resistance; but II
was at-koto, where we encountered
the remnant Of the Amazons. that we
met the most terrible slaughter. They
left Us no respite"
Near koto the French were unable
for long time 90 obtain water, and
suffered intensely from thirst A cap
tain of cavalry volunteered 10 under
take. with a squad Of men, danger
GUS expedition in search of water, and
Cen Dodds accepted the offer.
THAT night of the 10th of October"
writes an officer TO another French
journal. IT shall remember all my life.
No one slept in the tent where we were
piled up together, painting. From time
10 time licked the metal handle OF my
revolver. 10 produce in my mouth ard
threat an illusion OF GOODNESS ard
thirst shaking.
AT about four o'clock in the mora
ing heard hubbub over toward the
cavalry quarters. Ii must be Capt.
Cremieu-koa coming back with wateri
Selling a coffee pot, hiG IL under my
coat like thief. and crept over to the
cavalry. was on good terms with n
lieutenant there. cremieu-Foa had re-
ally come; and got OF the lieutenant
blessings on him foreyer-about n
quart OF muddy water In my coffee pot
Back To the tent went with q. ard
we rationed II cut drop by drop. Each
one OF as got aboat niouthful of this
mIre. Low delicious it seemed.
But about an hour later terrible
rainstorm burst upon Us: and then we
had water orgy Everything that
would hold water bottles, cslabashes,
cracker boxes-was set out, and all
were filed in less than sixty minutes
Il think that on the day that fol-
lowed drank about twenty quarts Of