War Office, March 3, 1873.
THE Secretary of State for War has received Despatches, of which the following are
copies, from Major-General Sir Garnet Joseph Wolseley, C.B,, K.C.M.G.,.
Commanding the Troops on the Gold Coast :—

SIR,
     I HAVE the honour to lay before you the following further reports as to the progress of the four columns last named in my despatch of the
25th instant.
  Right Column —Captain Glover has reported up to the 17th instant. He had crossed the Prah on the 15th, with about 750 Houssas and Yorubas, and had advanced to Obogo, whence he dates his despatch. He had taken this village by assault his troops having been fired upon as they were marching towards it. He had seven Houssas and one Yoruba wounded ; the enemy's loss not being ascertained. Being in want of ammunition and supplies, he would be compelled to halt. His troops had behaved well, except in their "wild and unnecessary firing."
    Second Column.—Captain Butler's last report is dated 24th instant. He writes from Yancoma, where he had arrived on the 22nd instant, about twenty miles north -of the Prah. Hence two paths branch off, one towards Lake Boosum-Eching, the other towards Dadiasoo, in a westerly direction. He had proposed to follow the latter path, but the opposition of the kings was such that he was forced to abandon the movement. He hoped to get his whole force to move on the 25th ; but he thus describes his position, " I can scarcely convey to you a true conception of the position in which I find myself. All information is studiously withheld from me ; carriers are constantly refused; distances are grossly exaggerated; the most vexatious and trifling pretexts are put forward ; anything and everything is done to effect the one great object,—delay."
   Third Main Column.—My advanced posts are to-day on the River Dunsaboo about two and a quarter miles -beyond this place, and within three-quarters of a mile of the enemy's forces at Egginassie. My entire force is concentrated here and at Ahkankuassie, two and three-quarter miles in rear, and it is probable that to-morrow I may have to fight whatever force the King has been able to collect to resist my advance. Further details of my position are given in the Despatch which accompanies this.
    Fourth Column.—The last report from Captain Dalrymple is dated 25th instant from Eotakee ; he had arrived there on the 24th with King Apecoon and about 50 men ; King Aquasi Bedoo was there, with no men ; Kroo of Commendah had gone home; Buarbin and Atrew were still at Damun on pretence of, collecting their men.
    Captain Dalrymple, though he had used every effort to influence the kings, was of opinion that he would be fortunate if he should succeed in crossing the frontier with 200 men.

 

I have, &c., (Signed) G. J. WOLSELEY, Major-General.

 

Head- Quarters, Camp, Insarfu January 30, 1874.

SIR,
    IN continuation of my Despatch of 25th instant, I have the honour to inform you that the troops forming the column under my immediate command had advanced to the following positions :—
    On the Dunsaboo river, about two and a quarter miles beyond this place, is the advanced guard, under Colonel McLeod, consisting of Wood's and Russell's Regiments, and two Rocket Detachments.
   My own Head-Quarters, the Brigade Staff, the 42nd Regiments, and 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, with Rait's Artillery, two 7-pounder rifled guns, and two rocket detachments, are here at Insarfu.
    Between this and Ahkankuassie, two and three-quarter miles in rear, are the Naval Brigade, Head-Quarters and detachment, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Regiment, Head-Quarters and detachment 2nd West India Regiment, the Small-Arm Ammunition Reserve, and Field Hospitals.
    At Foomanah, to move forward to-morrow, is a detachment of the 1st West India Regiment.
    The following fortified posts have been established and garrisoned on my line of communication with Prahsu : — Essiaman, Accrofoomu, Cross
Roads, north of Parakoom River, Moinsey, crest of Adansi Hills, Foomanah, Ahkankuassie, and Insarfu.
   Although I have used every possible effort, and neglected no means which I could devise to bring about a peaceable solution of the negotiations with the King of Ashanti, I regret that he appears to be determined to resist my further advance on Coomassie.
    After I had, on 25th instant, given due warning to the King of Adansi, whom I knew to be on my left flank, that I could not allow his troops to collect there, I ordered a reconnaissance to be made on the 26th, towards the village of Adubiassie, a little to the north-west of Foomanah, which resulted in the capture of the village, two Ashantis being killed, and two captured, without casualty on our side, though the reconnoitring party was opposed by about 200 armed men.
   Yesterday, having received information that a considerable body of the enemy was assembled at Borumassie (about six miles west of Kiang Boassu), I ordered a reconnaissance to be made to be made to that village. This reconnaissance, which was commanded by Colonel McLeod, was entirely successful. A body of several hundreds of Ashantis was surprised, and driven out of the village with considerable loss. Fifty-three stand of arms and twelve kegs of powder were destroyed, and several prisoners taken. I have received Colonel McLeod's report, and regret that he has to announce the loss of Captain James Nicol, Adjutant of the Hampshire Militia, who was killed while commanding a company of Russell's Regiment.Oar casualties were few, ^N and I am, glad to note that the expenditure of ammunition was small, which shows the steadiness of the troops.
    The intelligence report, which I have the honour to forward in despatch, will inform you that the enemy are known to be in position near the villages of Amoaful and Becquah. I intend to attack them to-morrow.

I have, &c., (Signed) . G. J. WOLSELEY. Major-General.