WAR ON THE COAST OF AFRICA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 19, 7 November 1861, Page 5 (Supplement)

WAR ON THE COAST OF AFRICA.

English Conflict with the Natives —Two Thousand Killed and Wounded.

Hell'.? Weekly Messenger of August 17 says : At Porto Novo mat ters continued unset tled, and the West African Herald gives the following description of the battle of Porto Novo:—

“It has already been recorded in this journal that four months ago, the late Mr. Foote, her Majesty’s Consul at Lagos, went up to Porto Novo in the gun boat Hruue , for the purpose of nogoci.ating n itli the ting of that place. The king having refused to accede to the terms of the treaty, and treating the Consul’s messages with contempt Loot c caused a shot to be fired over the town. 1 his having produced no effect, some shots were fired into the town, and the Jirune left the place. Ibo Portonoyinns, much elated, at the d.cnorfure of the lirune , congratulated themselves, and declared that if the vessel came again they would heave her up on the beach, and convert her into a war canoe for the king. On the 261 h April last, the Consul went up with a considerable force to recommence hostilities. Commodore Edmondstone commanded in person. The following is from the native journal Itch Holt;;, published at Abbcokuta:—

“ The expedition consisted of the JBrune and Fidelita ; each had attached to it a number of boats, ton it is stated. Pour of these were armed ' with 24 and 12-pounder howitzers, the remaining six were rocket boats. The expedition reached / the barrier above Badegry at -1 p. in. on the afternoon of Thursday, and after two hours hard work, \ pulling and hauling, the sailors effected a narrow \ passage, which was forced by the Fidelita. She was immediately followed by the Srune, and thus in the space of two hours and a-half was overcome what it had taken the Portonovians six weeks •and more to prepare. Some Iso canoes made a miserable attempt to save their reputation, and fired shots, but a rocket or two from the long 52 of the Brune sent them flying up the river at their best pace. Next morning at seven a.m., the flotilla had reached Porto Novo and as soon as they came abreast of the town, a heavy musketra fire was opened upon them from both sides of the river, which, however, was not replied to by the English for some little time. When once the boats opened fire with rockets, shell and shot, it was vigorous and well directed—so much so, that within an hour the town was in flames, which gradually increased until they rose high above the lofty trees that hitherto offorded the inhabitants grateful shade. The Iso canoes again took to flight and remained through the day far out of gunshot and watched the game of war in tolerable security. The boats of the squadron were in two divisons one under the Commdore and the second under Captain Baby, of H. M. S. Alcctro. Finding the town burning furiously in the rear, the defenders of this den of infamy ran for the beach and advantage was taken of this by Capt. Baby, V. C., who ■was in his gig with two men, to land and spike a gun, not however, without being severely wounded by the explosion of the gun during the act of spiking. Seeing that the natives had not plucked up courage to cut off this party permission was given to about fifty mariners and blue jackets to land in order to set on fire some well built houses that had hitherto withstood the rockets and flames. “ The landing was effected without molestation and a new quarter of the town was hereby sot fire to. It appears that the warriors had not up to this time retreated from the town, for Captain A. S. Jones, 2nd West India Regiment, encountered one standing in a doorway, whom he shot with his revolver ; and met a second whom ho was about also to despatch, when his revolver missed fire and had the native rushed at him ho must have cut him down before he could draw his sword, but deeming prudence the better part of valour ho took to his heels and hid himself.

“ The town now being in this quarter thoroughly fired, at 11‘30 troops re-embarked, and returned to their ships and dined. At 1 o’clock,

being refreshed and a fresh supply of ammunition served out, the boats of Captain Baby’s division formed in lino abreast and advanced within fifteen yards of the reeds from whence the natives still kept up a brisk fire from a point rather lower than where the gun boats had anchored, where it was subsequently discovered they had an ambuscade. From this point it was found difficult to dislodge them until rockets and round shot found out their weak point and sent them flying in all directions. Great havoc was committed in their retreating ranks by the grapo and canister of the boats as well as the directed shots of the mariners. The opportunity was now seized upon by Captains Baby and Jones to land and spike a second gun and carry off the last flag. It was seen how great had been the havoc inflicted upon the enemy, by whose own account they admit their loss to be 1000 killed ane as many wounded. After tliis the firing became very weak and desultory, so the English amused themselves by firing shot and shell at the principal houses left standing. “ About 4 p.ra., the gunboats and flotilla steamed away for Lagocs and rejoined the squadron outside the bar ; the vessels composing it have since steamed off in various directions. “ The loss on the side of the English was only one man killed, and five slightly wounded.