War Office, March 30, 1874.
DESPATCHES, of which the following are copies, were received at the War Office,
from Major-General Sir Garnet J. Wolseley, K.C.M.G., C.B., Commanding Her Majesty's
Forces on the Gold Coast, on the 2nd January and 7th March respectively, but have not hitherto
been published: —

SIR,
    In my Despatch which accompanies this, I have had the great satisfaction to report that, the Ashanti army has crossed the River Prah into its own territory, and that my advanced parties are in occupation of Prahsue, on the south bank.
   The first phase of this war has thus been brought to a most satisfactory conclusion, without the assistance of any English troops, except the few marines and the available blue-jackets whom I found here on my arrival on the 2nd October last.
    At that date the position of affairs was as follows :—An invading army of Ashantis numbering between twenty and thirty thousand men, having overrun the Fanti territory, occupied threatening positions within an easy march of Her Majesty's Forts at Elmina and Cape Coast Castle. The country was filled with alarms of intended attacks upon our settlements ; public confidence in us was at a very low ebb, every movement on our part was known to the enemy, regarding whose intentions, movements, numbers, or even exact position, little information was possessed by our authorities.
   I submit that the happy change which has been since that time effected has been accomplished by the untiring exertions of the few carefully selected Staff and special service Officers who landed with me here at the beginning of October.
   In the second phase of this war, when the campaign is opened in Ashanti territory beyond the Prah, by a brigade of English troops, the operations may be more brilliant than those which have resulted in forcing the enemy to retreat into their own country ; but I feel assured that they cannot entail upon those engaged in them the hard work, exposure, and privations that have been so cheerfully endured for the last two months and a half by the small band of Officers of whom I speak. Of them one has been killed in action, two very severely wounded, and several slightly wounded.
    The material used in the late operations (the sailors and marines, the detachment 2nd West India Regiment, and the natives) was here before their arrival; but the raising and disciplining the natives, their organization for he field, and the directions given to the various forces, has been the work of these Officers, with whom I would wish to couple the names of Lieutenant-Colonel Festing, Royal Marine Artillery, and Lieutenant Gordon, 98th Regiment, whose zeal and energy deserve all praise—the former Officer has been twice wounded, but never prevented from remaining at his work.
   In my Despatch of, 15th October, wherein I reported that Colonel McNeill, V.C., C.M.G., my chief Staff Officer, had been very severely wounded, I stated my high opinion of his abilities, and how deeply I felt being deprived of his valuable services.
    Since then his very arduous work has been carried on to my entire satisfaction by Major Baker, Assistant Adjutant-General, to whose untiring exertions much of our success is owing.
   The amount of work performed by him can only be realized by those wHo have witnessed it, as the Staff duties with a regular army afford no data upon which an opinion can be formed of the labour that devolves upon the chief Staff Officer of a force, such as that under my command.
    As Major Baker is about to be superseded in his position as chief Staff Officer by a senior Officer now on his way here, I take this opportunity of bringing his name to your favourable notice. Major Baker has been ably assisted by the Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain Huyshe and Captain Buller, who have performed their work most efficiently. The former has had charge of the Survey, and the latter of the Intelligence Department.
    Of the Special Service Officers, where all have worked so hard and so earnestly, it is no easy matter to particularize individuals.
    The two seniors, Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, V.C.; and Major Russell, have each raised a regiment of the strength named in the margin.^N Lieutenant-Colonel Wood commanded at the engagement at Essaman, as mentioned in my Despatch of October 15th, in which I stated my appreciation of the manner in which he carried out the orders he had received. He is now commanding the advanced posts from Mansue to the River Prab, and displays both zeal and ability in the discharge of his duties. Major Russell had the good fortune to command at Abrakrampa when that place was attacked for two days and nights by the main body of the enemy under their Commander-in-Chief. The attacks of the first day and night are well described in Major Russell's modest report which I had the honour to enclose in my despatch of the 7th ultimo. The defence, resulting in the hurried retreat of the enemy, was conducted by him in the most spirited and able manner. I have great pleasure, in bringing the names of Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, V.C., and Major Russell to your special notice.
   Captain Rait, Commanding Royal Artillery, has raised and drilled a battery composed of Houssas. He has worked indefatigably under great disadvantages. He is a soldier eminently qualified for warfare of this nature, and he seems to regard difficulties as necessary evils to be made light of and overcome. I am anxious to bring his hame to your notice, as he, like Major Baker, is about to be superseded by a-senior officer of Royal Artillery sent from England.
    Major Heme Commanding Royal Engineers, has worked untiringly since we landed, and few that have not inspected the results of his labour could believe it possible that so much could have been performed in two and a half month's with the small assistance at his disposal.
    The Officers of the Control and Medical Departments have worked with the greatest zeal and energy; but as the end of the first phase of the war does not mark any distinct epoch in their duties, I shall reserve bringing them individually before you till the termination of hostilities.

SIR,
    IT is with the greatest regret that I have to report, for the information of  His Royal Highness the field Marshal Commanding in Chief, the death of Captain Buckle, Royal Engineers, and Lieutenant Eyre, 90th Light Infantry, both of whom were mortally wounded in action against the enemy; the former at the battle of Amoaful, on the 31st ult., and the latter at that of Ordasu, on the 4th instant.
    In making this report, I cannot refrain from stating what a great loss the army has experienced in the death of these two gallant Officers; who expired within an hour of receiving their wounds. Captain Buckle was, undoubtedly, one of the most accomplished and practical Engineer Officers of his rank in the Service.