The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Register

ASHANTEE MODE OF WARFARE.

An officer who was engaged in the war against the Ashantees, but who has recently arrived in England, gives the following account of the system of warfare pursued by the Ashantees:

"When the Ashantees advance to make an attack, they form their troops in several contiguous columns, according to the nature of the ground, march forward with great celerity, and when arranged within the range of musket shot, the head platoons of each column, immediately fire, wheel outwards to the right and left by subdivisions, so as to uncover the heads of their respective columns, and commence loading. The columns then advance, and the front platoons fire, wheel outward as their preceding platoons did, load on the flanks of the columns, and re-form in the rear of their respective columns. By this manoeuvre, an incessant fire is kept up by all the columns advancing. Should they experience a repulse, and find themselves pressed upon in their retreat, the columns rapidly disperse, and re-assemble in former order at a named position in their rear. The columns are thus prepared to commence a fresh attack. This system is exactly similar to our street firing, and must prove extremely harassing, particularly in a country so well known to the enemy. When an attack is resolved upon, an immense number of sharp shooters are posted in dispersed order on the flanks, to be in readiness to take advantage of circumstances. They cover themselves behind hillocks, brush wood and trees, and as soon as they have fired, they fall flat upon the ground and load in that position. They also have recourse to stratagems, and are extremely expert in carrying them into execution. The following instance, which recently occurred, will demonstrate this. In one of their engagements with the Fantees they took some prisoners, among whom were some horn-blowers. A few days after this occurrence, they made a demonstration to attack, and suddenly disappeared: they subsequently compelled the horn-blowers of their enemy to sound the advance, which had the desired effect---the Fantees marched forward, fell into the ambuscade and suffered severely. Such an enemy is not to be despised."