Major Chisholm’s division, the left by Major Purden’s, and the centre by Captain Hutchison’s; while the subordinate officers commanded the passes between the valley and the town, which were four in number, two beyond the hills, and two between them.  These passes were choked up with a dense jungle.  The whole army was commanded by Colonel Sutherland, assisted by Sir John Phillirnore, and most of the officers, seamen, and marines, of H.M.S.  Thetis.

At noon the enemy pushed forward in immense numbers, and with ferocious valour towards the passes, with the design of forcing them.  Their attention was particularly directed to the right wing, as the town was considered to be most accessible on that side.  Their savage cries, their heedless desperation, and tumultuous onset, were well calculated to unnerve the bravery of troops accustomed to discipline and a more honourable species of warfare, but our soldiers met the Ashantees with an unmoved front:  the resistance was as courageous as the attack was fierce; and the first approach of the enemy was repulsed with steadiness.  It was at this crisis that Lieutenant Swanzy fell, covered with wounds at the head of his detachment.  To this fine young man, whose gallantry was conspicuous in the action, might be applied with truth the celebrated words of the poet,

  “The young, the beautiful, the brave!”

The conflict raged with great fury, and the indomitable self-possession of our soldiers at last threw the Ashantees into confusion.  Their wild exultations gave way to universal despair, a panic seized upon their irregular masses, which now filled the valley in a state of fearful commotion, and exhibited a terrific picture of savage desperation.  Perceiving the incertitude of his army, the King descended from the hill for the purpose of animating the troops by his presence.  The royal cortege, as it swept down the height, and mixed with the heaving crowds below, was singularly imposing.  The King advanced with a gaudy umbrella held over his head, followed by a glittering and diversified train, consisting of his numerous wives and eunuchs celebrating his praises and his deeds in barbarous lyrics, while others amongst his retinue were employed in waving brilliant feathers and fans, and the tails of elephants and horses over the head of the monarch, keeping regular time with the inspiring war-song, to which all his guards contributed in an uproarious chorus.  The King exhibited great personal courage and perseverance; again and again he rallied his disconcerted troops, who were seen flying about in all directions in the utmost disorder.  In this way the conflict was prolonged until darkness fell upon the scene and terminated the battle.  On the cessation of hostilities, the Ashantees retired, with the intention, as the British soldiers believed, of renewing the fight with the return of daylight.  Major Chisholm, taking advantage of the circumstance, removed into the fort for the