Captain Freemantle at length gained a point where his gun and rockets could play on Essarman, which lay in the heart of the wood, and opened fire, but not until he had been struck by a slug which passed through his arm.

Colonel M'Neil, who was with the Houssas, also received a severe wound in the arm, and thirty-two marines and Houssas were wounded.

The Ashantis were gradually driven out of the village and wood, a great many being killed by the English fire.
Having accomplished this, the British force rested for an hour and then moved on, first setting fire to Essarman, which was a very large village.

A great quantity of the Ashanti powder was stored there, and each explosion excited yells of rage among the Ashantis.

Their general was especially angry that two large war drums had been lost.