Signal guns were heard, at various times, acquainting the enemy of our advance.

The column stayed here for three days, which both soldiers and carriers enjoyed greatly, for the fatigues of the march had fairly worn out even the sturdy and long-enduring British troops.
Colonel Willcocks went forward with his staff to Esumeja, where the three companies, of which the garrison was composed, had already suffered sixty casualties.

The Pioneers, some carriers with hatchets, and some of the Esumeja were sent out, a hundred yards down the road to Kokofu, to cut the bush on each side and build two stockades.

This was done to deceive the garrison, there, into the belief that we were about to advance on the place by that road.
The ruse succeeded admirably.

The general there sent information to the commander-in-chief of the Ashanti army, and the latter at once despatched a considerable number of men to reinforce the garrison.
Thus the resistance along the main road was greatly reduced; and the Kokofu, standing on the defensive, did not harass the force upon its march.
On the evening of the 11th, a starving soldier made his way down from the fort with this message: "Governor broke out, seventeen days ago.