r Russell. Both these corps were well drilled by experienced
English officers, and on all occasions exhibited the greatest bravery.

So well-conducted were the attacks made on the Ashantee forces which had
invaded the Fanti territory, that at length, towards the end of October,
they broke up their camp and began to retreat over the Prah. They were
closely pursued; but many of the native allies, as on other occasions,
refusing to proceed, the difficulty of carrying on reconnaissances fell
mostly on the English officers.

In this work Lord Gifford especially distinguished himself. Colonel
Festing commanded the force employed in the pursuit. He had with him
Lieutenant Eardley Wilmot, in charge of eight Houssas of Rait's
artillery. While pushing on gallantly in front, Lieutenant Wilmot was
wounded in the arm, yet in spite of this he continued under fire, until
an hour later he was shot through the heart; and Colonel Festing, when
bringing in his body from where it was lying, was wounded by a slug in
the hip.

Abrakrampa, one of the British advance posts, was garrisoned by the
black regiment commanded by Major Russell, who had with him also a party
of marines and bluejackets. He had received orders to send the latter
back to Cape Coast, but just as they were about to march he received
information that his camp would certainly be attacked. The report
proved to be true. The enemy came on in great force; but each time that
they attempted to break out of the bush, they were driven back by the
hot fire kept up by the little garrison.

Major Russell immediately despatched a requisition for assistance, when
a body of marines and bluejackets from the ships in the roads were
landed and sent off. The Ashantees again and again renewed the attack,
but were each time driven back.

The British force marching to the relief of the place suffered greatly
from fatigue. They arrived, however, in time to assist in driving back
the enemy, who now retreated towards the Prah at a more rapid rate than
heretofore. While in pursuit of the enemy, large numbers of the native
allies again took to flight, proving how utterly unreliable they were.

Sir Garnet Wolseley's chief object now was, having driven the enemy
before him, to construct a road in the direction of Coomassie, and
prepare halting-places for the European troops which were soon expected
out.

Sickness, however, rendered a considerable number of the English
officers incapa