A City of Blood.
Edward Higgins an able seaman on board Her Majesty's ship Theseus, took part in the capture of Benin city. This is the story of what he saw, as described in a letter written to his parents at Hartlepool, -♦♦ I came off aft right after witnessing
the worst sights that have been seen since the World has been a world, and I wouldn't like to see them again. We captured Benin after a hard struggle. All hands were dying for water, and I know men who gave as far as a sovereign for a half-pint. The'human sacrifices were something horrible—crucifixions all over the place on trees ; women cut open,' skeletons, and 37 human heads under one tree, pits full of bodies, and in the King's palace were two slaves, with irons which had been welded on their feet red hot, who were going to be crucified next morning, Human blood all over the shop. Benin or the City of Blood, it is called. I would not like to picture the Bame sights again for all the medals in the world. I have been nearly rolled up with the fever, and we had two ma« rines dead. Nearly all the ship's company have got fever. I am confined to my hammock with it now, but am getting better."
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Manawatu Herald, 17 June 1897, Page 2
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220A City of Blood. Manawatu Herald, 17 June 1897, Page 2
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