Crossing the river they completely defeated
the native tribes there, who were in alliance with the Ashantis,
after some hard fighting, and thus prevented an invasion of our
territory on that side. In addition to this they pushed forward
into the interior and absolutely arrived at Coomassie two days
after Sir Garnet Wolseley.
It is true that the attention of the Ashantis was so much occupied
by the advance of the white force that they paid but little attention
to that advancing from the Volta; but none the less is the credit
due to the indomitable perseverance and the immensity of the work
accomplished by Captain Glover and his officers. Alone and single
handed, they overcame all the enormous difficulties raised by
the apathy, indolence, and self importance of the numerous petty
chiefs whose followers constituted the army, infused something of
their own spirit among their followers, and persuaded them to march
without white allies against the hitherto invincible army of the
Ashantis. Not a tithe of the credit due to them has been given to
the officers of this little force.
Captain Glover invited his visitors to pass the night on shore,
offering to place a tent at their disposal; but the mosquitoes are
so numerous and troublesome along the swampy shore of the Volta
that the invitations were declined, and the whole party returned
on board the Decoy.
Pages:
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368