ble of duty.

The pursuit of the enemy by the force under Colonel Wood was especially
harassing work. He and many of his officers were suffering from fever.
The Ashantees frequently halted and fired on their pursuers, though on
each occasion driven back.

As many bluejackets as could be spared from the ships were now landed,
and several officers arrived out from England. The major-general was
able to report on the 15th December 1873--"That the first phase of this
war had been brought to a satisfactory conclusion by a few companies of
the 2nd West India Regiment, Rait's artillery, Gordon's Houssas, and
Wood's and Russell's regiments, admirably conducted by the British
officers belonging to them, without the assistance of any English troops
except the marines and bluejackets, who were on the station on his
arrival." The Fanti country being cleared, a road towards the Prah was
now energetically pushed forward. It was 12 feet wide, cleared of
stumps or roots, swamps were either drained or avoided, or causeways
made over them, and all the streams were bridged. This task was
confided to Major Home, of the Royal Engineers.

The rough clearing of the first 25 miles had, however, already been
performed by Lieutenant Gordon.

Stations were selected, and huts erected for the accommodation of the
troops, and for stores and provisions. Means were taken to secure an
ample supply of water, either by digging wells or from streams in the
neighbourhood. At Prahsu the river Prah makes a sharp bend, within
which a large camp was formed, with shelter for 2000 European troops, an
hospital, and storehouses. Complete arrangements were made for the
accommodation of the sick. The great difficulty was to obtain native
carriers, who frequently deserted as soon as they were collected; and it
was not until some time had passed that the transport service could be
arranged in a satisfactory manner.

The plan which the major-general had arranged for the campaign was as
follows:--The main body, consisting of three battalions of European
troops, the Naval Brigade, Wood's and Russell's regiments and Rait's
artillery, was to advance from Prahsu by the Coomassie road. On the
extreme right, a native force under Captain Glover was to cross the Prah
near Assum, and, as a connecting link between him and the main body, a
column composed of natives, under the command of Captain Butler, 69th
Regiment, was to cross the same river lower down; while, o