The troops, therefore, went forward hampered by the whole of the carriers and baggage of the column.
At four o'clock action began, at the point where the Cape Coast and Pekki roads converged towards Coomassie.

The Ashantis had taken up a position on slightly rising ground--a position which was favourable to the assailants, as it tended to increase the enemy's inclination to fire high.

Each of the roads was barred with massive entrenchments, which stretched across them into the bush, and flanked with breastworks of timber.

These obstacles had been originally intended to envelop the garrison.

Consequently, the war camps were on the British side of the stockades.
The battle began by a heavy fire, from the bush, upon both flanks of the rear guard.