ccording to the brigadier's request, the 42nd were pushed
forward, the object being to break through the enemy who appeared in
force in front. The Highlanders were quickly sent on, and the
major-general with the headquarters entered the village immediately
after them. A short halt, however, was required, to allow the baggage
to arrive.

During this time the enemy pressed boldly up to the village, firing
volleys of slugs, one of which struck the major-general on the helmet,
fortunately at a part where the leather band prevented it entering.

About noon, the 42nd, with Rait's artillery, led the attack on the
enemy's front, for the purpose of breaking through and pushing on direct
for Coomassie, followed by the Rifle Brigade. They had not got far
before a tremendous fire was opened on the head of the column from a
strong ambuscade behind a fallen tree, and several men were knocked
over, but the flank companies working steadily through the bush, the
leading company sprang forward with a cheer. The pipes struck up, and
the ambuscade was carried. Then, without stop or stay, the 42nd rushing
on cheering, their pipes playing, officers to the front, ambuscade after
ambuscade was successfully carried, and village after village won in
succession, until the whole of the Ashantee army broke and fled in the
wildest disorder down the pathway towards Coomassie. The ground was
covered with traces of their flight. Umbrellas, war chairs of their
chiefs, drums, muskets, killed and wounded, strewed the way. No pause
took place until a village about four miles from Coomassie was reached,
when the absolute exhaustion of the men rendered a short halt necessary.

Meanwhile the attack on the village continued, and the enemy were
allowed to close around the rear, Ordahsu, however, being strongly
guarded.

On the arrival of the major-general, he ordered an advance of the whole
force on Coomassie. It was nearly five o'clock before the troops again
moved forward. The village of Karsi, the nearest to Coomassie, was
passed without opposition. When close upon the city, a flag of truce
was received by the brigadier, who forwarded it with a letter to Sir
Garnet Wolseley, whose only reply was, "Push on." On this the brigadier
immediately advanced, and, passing the Soubang swamp which surrounds the
city, entered the great market-place of Coomassie, without opposition,
about 5:30. The major-general himself arrived at 6:15, when the troops
f