Camp, -Amoaful,
February 8, 1874. |
SIR,
I HAD scarcely sent off my despatches yesterday when Captain Butler, half-pay, 69th Regiment, arrived in my camp, and as his mission to the Western Akims- is how completely closed, I feel it my duty to bring at once to your notice the admirable manner in which he has conducted a most trying and difficult task.
That Captain Butler failed in his effort to lead a force of Akims to Coomassie is not his fault, but is solely due to the ineradicable cowardice and sloth of the people with whom he had to deal. In the face of great difficulties he succeeded in raising a force of Akims and leading them across the Prah, Although they deserted him at the very time when a junction with me was within their reach, these troops did, by their partial advance, effect that diversion which was the object of Captain Butler's labours, drawing off from opposition to the column under my immediate command the whole fighting-force of Kokofoo, one of the six great tributary principalities of the Ashanti Kingdom.
The high opinion of Captain Butler, which caused me to give him an independent command, is strengthened by his conduct in this war ; and I beg to recommend him especially to your notice, as an-officer of great ability, of remarkably ready resources, and of untiring powers of action.
Captain Dalrymple, 88th Foot, has also worked indefatigably under most disheartening conditions He too has been vanquished by the vis inertia of the people, amongst whom his task lay. But he, like Captain Butler, has rendered me real service, for the Becquah fighting men were drawn off to meet an attack from the Wassaw frontier, which Captain Dalrymple's movements led them to expect. I beg to recommend Captain Dalrymple to your favourable notice.
I have to-day received further despatches from Captain Glover He writes last from Odumassie, on the 28th ultimo, being then one march advanced from Obogo. whence he dated on the 17th ultimo, and about 20 miles, according, to his estimate, from Juabin or Coomassie. Copies of his despatches are sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. He bad with him all his Houssas and Yorubas, and 700 Akims, and was expecting immediate reinforcements of Aquapims and Croboes. I have sent him orders to fall back behind the River Prah, and though I regret that he is not likely, owing to difficulties of communication, to receive these instructions for some time, he should meanwhile, with the force at his command, be quite able to hold his own against very superior numbers of the enemy. I reserve further remarks till Captain Glover's mission is concluded.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) G. J. WOLSELEY, ,
Major-General. | | | The Right Honourable
The Secretary of State, for War,
War Office, London. |
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