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{{infobox military conflict
{{infobox military conflict
|conflict =Battle of Nsamankow
| conflict = Battle of Nsamankow
|partof =[[Anglo-Ashanti Wars#First Anglo-Ashanti War|First Anglo-Ashanti War]]
| partof = [[Anglo-Ashanti Wars#First Anglo-Ashanti War|First Anglo-Ashanti War]]
|image = Ashantee soldier2.jpg
| image = Ashantee soldier2.jpg
|caption = An [[Ashanti people|Ashanti]] soldier
| caption = An [[Ashanti people|Ashanti]] soldier
|date = 21 January 1824<ref name="Raugh">{{cite book|last1=Raugh|first1=Harold E.|title=The Victorians at war : 1815 - 1914 : an encyclopedia of British military history|date=2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara [u.a.]|isbn=1-57607-925-2|pages=33–34|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HvE_Pa_ZlfsC&q=Charles+McCarthy+Ashanti&pg=PA33|accessdate=6 March 2016}}</ref>|place = Ghana|coordinates =|map_type =|map_size =|map_marksize =|map_caption =|map_label =|territory =|result = Ashanti victory|status =|combatant1 = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]]<br />
| date = 21 January 1824<ref name="Raugh">{{cite book|last1=Raugh|first1=Harold E.|title=The Victorians at war : 1815 - 1914 : an encyclopedia of British military history|date=2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara [u.a.]|isbn=1-57607-925-2|pages=33–34|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HvE_Pa_ZlfsC&q=Charles+McCarthy+Ashanti&pg=PA33|accessdate=6 March 2016}}</ref>
| place = Ghana
| coordinates =
| map_type =
| map_size =
| map_marksize =
| map_caption =
| map_label =
| territory =
| result = Decisive Ashanti Victory
| status =
[[Fante Confederacy]]|combatant2 = [[File:Flag of Ashanti.svg|23px]] [[Ashanti Empire]]|combatant3 =|commander1 = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Charles MacCarthy (British Army officer)|Sir Charles MacCarthy]]{{KIA}}|commander2 =Amankwatia<ref name="Edgerton">{{cite book|last1=Edgerton|first1=Robert B.|title=The fall of the Asante empire : the hundred-year war for Africa's Gold Coast|date=1995|publisher=The Free press|location=New York|isbn=0-7432-3638-6|pages=77–79|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tkm5UZJz8z0C&q=MacCarthy|accessdate=6 March 2016}}</ref>|commander3 =|units1 =|units2 =|units3 =|strength1 =80 British troops<br />
| combatant1 = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]]<br />
[[Fante Confederacy]]
| combatant2 = [[File:Flag of Ashanti.svg|23px]] [[Ashanti Empire]]
| combatant3 =
| commander1 = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Charles MacCarthy (British Army officer)|Sir Charles MacCarthy]]{{KIA}}
| commander2 = Amankwatia<ref name="Edgerton">{{harvp|Edgerton|2010|pp=77—79}}</ref>
| commander3 =
| units1 =
| units2 =
| units3 =
| strength1 = 80 British troops<br />
170 Cape Coast militia<br />
170 Cape Coast militia<br />
240 [[Fante Confederacy|Fante]] allies<ref name="Stapleton">{{cite book|last1=Stapleton|first1=Timothy J.|title=A military history of Africa. the precolonial period : from ancient Egypt to the Zulu Kingdom|date=2013|publisher=Praeger|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|isbn=978-0-313-39570-3|pages=93–94|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XvtDAgAAQBAJ&q=Battle+of+Nsamankow&pg=PA94|accessdate=3 March 2016}}</ref>|strength2 =over 10,000 troops|strength3 =|casualties1 =187 killed<br />
240 [[Fante Confederacy|Fante]] allies<ref name="Stapleton">{{cite book|last1=Stapleton|first1=Timothy J.|title=A military history of Africa. the precolonial period : from ancient Egypt to the Zulu Kingdom|date=2013|publisher=Praeger|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|isbn=978-0-313-39570-3|pages=93–94|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XvtDAgAAQBAJ&q=Battle+of+Nsamankow&pg=PA94|accessdate=3 March 2016}}</ref>
| strength2 = over 10,000 troops
| strength3 =
| casualties1 = 187 killed<br />
92 wounded<br />
92 wounded<br />
unknown number captured<ref name="Raugh" /><ref name="Edgerton" />|casualties2 =unknown|casualties3 =|notes =|campaignbox =}}
unknown number captured<ref name="Raugh" /><ref name="Edgerton" />
| casualties2 = unknown
| casualties3 =
| notes =
| campaignbox =
}}
The '''Battle of Nsamankow''' was a battle between the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] and the [[Ashanti Empire]] that took place in 1824 as part of the [[First Anglo-Ashanti War]]. The British force under [[Charles MacCarthy (British Army officer)|Charles MacCarthy]] was defeated by an Ashanti force.
The '''Battle of Nsamankow''' was a battle between the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] and the [[Ashanti Empire]] that took place in 1824 as part of the [[First Anglo-Ashanti War]]. The British force under [[Charles MacCarthy (British Army officer)|Charles MacCarthy]] was defeated by an Ashanti force.


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On the night of the 20th, still without having joined forces with the other three groups, MacCarthy's force camped by a tributary of the Pra River. The next day, at around 2pm, they encountered a large enemy force of around ten thousand men; believing that the Ashanti army contained several disaffected groups whose chiefs were willing to defect, MacCarthy instructed the band to play [[God Save the King]] loudly.<ref name="Raugh" /> The Ashanti responded by approaching closer, beating war drums, and his beliefs were swiftly dispelled.
On the night of the 20th, still without having joined forces with the other three groups, MacCarthy's force camped by a tributary of the Pra River. The next day, at around 2pm, they encountered a large enemy force of around ten thousand men; believing that the Ashanti army contained several disaffected groups whose chiefs were willing to defect, MacCarthy instructed the band to play [[God Save the King]] loudly.<ref name="Raugh" /> The Ashanti responded by approaching closer, beating war drums, and his beliefs were swiftly dispelled.


Fighting started shortly thereafter; the two sides were separated by a {{convert|60|ft|m}}-wide stream, which the Ashanti attempted to cross by felling trees for bridges. The British at first shot the Ashanti who tried to cross the exposed tree trunks.<ref name="Edgerton" />
Fighting started shortly thereafter; the two sides were separated by a {{convert|60|ft|m}}-wide stream, which the Ashanti attempted to cross by felling trees for bridges. The British opened fire on the Ashanti troops who tried to cross the exposed tree trunks.<ref name="Edgerton" />


However, the British forces were lightly supplied; the bearers bringing the supplies up in the rear, which included most of the gunpowder and ammunition, mostly fled after hearing the firing in the distance and encountering deserters straggling back.<ref name="Edgerton" /> Four cases of supplies arrived; the first was opened and the shot inside was distributed, but the other three were found to contain only [[macaroni]].<ref name="Edgerton" /><ref name="Raugh" /> As the British ran out of ammunition, the Ashanti advanced across the river. Most of the Fante militia fled, and the British who stood and fought were overwhelmed in hand-to-hand combat.<ref name="Edgerton" />
However, the British forces were lightly supplied; the bearers bringing the supplies up in the rear, which included most of the gunpowder and ammunition, mostly fled after hearing the firing in the distance and encountering deserters straggling back.<ref name="Edgerton" /> Four cases of supplies arrived; the first was opened and the shot inside was distributed, but the other three were found to contain only [[macaroni]].<ref name="Edgerton" /><ref name="Raugh" /> As the British ran out of ammunition, the Ashanti advanced across the river. Most of the Fante militia fled, and the British who stood and fought were overwhelmed in hand-to-hand combat.<ref name="Edgerton" />
Line 24: Line 52:
MacCarthy, along with the ensign and his secretary, attempted to fall back; he was wounded by gunfire, however, and killed himself rather than be taken prisoner.<ref name="Edgerton" /><ref name="Raugh" /> MacCarthy's gold-rimmed skull was later used as a drinking-cup by the Ashanti rulers.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aG4KAAAAIAAJ&q=Charles+MacCarthy+ashantee&pg=PA438 | title=Journal| year=1873}}</ref>
MacCarthy, along with the ensign and his secretary, attempted to fall back; he was wounded by gunfire, however, and killed himself rather than be taken prisoner.<ref name="Edgerton" /><ref name="Raugh" /> MacCarthy's gold-rimmed skull was later used as a drinking-cup by the Ashanti rulers.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aG4KAAAAIAAJ&q=Charles+MacCarthy+ashantee&pg=PA438 | title=Journal| year=1873}}</ref>


Ensign Wetherell was killed whilst trying to defend MacCarthy's body and Williams taken prisoner. On his return, he related that he had only survived through being recognised by an Ashanti chief for whom he had done a small favour, and was spared; he was held prisoner for several months, locked in a dwelling which he shared with the severed heads of MacCarthy and Wetherell, kept as trophies of war.
Ensign Wetherell was killed whilst trying to defend MacCarthy's body and Williams taken prisoner. On his return, he related that he had only survived through being recognised by an Ashanti chief for whom he had done a small favour, and was spared; he was held prisoner for several months, locked in a dwelling which he shared with the severed heads of MacCarthy and Wetherell, kept as trophies of war.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

=== Aftermath ===
Some weeks after the battle, a larger British force made up of White and Native troops came to a standstill with the same Ashanti army that defeated McCarthy's force. Casualties on the British side included 176 dead and 677 men wounded. After the battle, the British army along with their regular troops withdrew back the coast.<ref>{{harvp|Edgerton|2010|pp=80—81}}</ref>


==Literary References==
==Literary References==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
*{{cite book|last1=Edgerton|first1=Robert B.|title=The fall of the Asante empire : the hundred-year war for Africa's Gold Coast|date=2010|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=9781451603736|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tkm5UZJz8z0C&q=MacCarthy|accessdate=6 March 2016}}


{{Ashanti topics}}
{{Ashanti topics}}
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[[Category:Conflicts in 1824|Nsamankow]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1824|Nsamankow]]
[[Category:1824 in Africa]]
[[Category:1824 in Africa]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Ashanti Empire]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Ashanti Empire|Nsamankow]]

Latest revision as of 01:13, 9 August 2024

Battle of Nsamankow
Part of First Anglo-Ashanti War

An Ashanti soldier
Date21 January 1824[1]
Location
Ghana
Result Decisive Ashanti Victory
Belligerents

United Kingdom United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Fante Confederacy		 Ashanti Empire
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom Sir Charles MacCarthy † Amankwatia[2]
Strength

80 British troops
170 Cape Coast militia

240 Fante allies[3]		 over 10,000 troops
Casualties and losses

187 killed
92 wounded

unknown number captured[1][2]		 unknown

The Battle of Nsamankow was a battle between the United Kingdom and the Ashanti Empire that took place in 1824 as part of the First Anglo-Ashanti War. The British force under Charles MacCarthy was defeated by an Ashanti force.

Background

[edit]

In late 1823, following the disagreements between the Fante and the Ashantis, the British declared war on the king of the Ashanti; after organising the defences of Cape Coast, MacCarthy set out with an expedition of some 80 men of the Royal African Colonial Corps (RACC), 170 men of the Cape Coast Militia, and 240 Fanti tribesmen under their local chiefs. He was accompanied by a captain and an ensign of the 2nd West India Regiment, as aides-de-camp, a surgeon of the same regiment, and J. T. Williams, his colonial secretary. This was not the only part of his force; three other groups of infantry were in the region, one of 600 regulars of the RACC and 3,000 native levies, one of 100 regulars and militia and 2,000 levies (under Major Alexander Gordon Laing), and a third of 300 regulars and militia and 6,000 levies. The plan was for the four groups to converge and then engage the enemy with overwhelming force.

The battle

[edit]

On the night of the 20th, still without having joined forces with the other three groups, MacCarthy's force camped by a tributary of the Pra River. The next day, at around 2pm, they encountered a large enemy force of around ten thousand men; believing that the Ashanti army contained several disaffected groups whose chiefs were willing to defect, MacCarthy instructed the band to play God Save the King loudly.[1] The Ashanti responded by approaching closer, beating war drums, and his beliefs were swiftly dispelled.

Fighting started shortly thereafter; the two sides were separated by a 60 feet (18 m)-wide stream, which the Ashanti attempted to cross by felling trees for bridges. The British opened fire on the Ashanti troops who tried to cross the exposed tree trunks.[2]

However, the British forces were lightly supplied; the bearers bringing the supplies up in the rear, which included most of the gunpowder and ammunition, mostly fled after hearing the firing in the distance and encountering deserters straggling back.[2] Four cases of supplies arrived; the first was opened and the shot inside was distributed, but the other three were found to contain only macaroni.[2][1] As the British ran out of ammunition, the Ashanti advanced across the river. Most of the Fante militia fled, and the British who stood and fought were overwhelmed in hand-to-hand combat.[2]

MacCarthy, along with the ensign and his secretary, attempted to fall back; he was wounded by gunfire, however, and killed himself rather than be taken prisoner.[2][1] MacCarthy's gold-rimmed skull was later used as a drinking-cup by the Ashanti rulers.[4]

Ensign Wetherell was killed whilst trying to defend MacCarthy's body and Williams taken prisoner. On his return, he related that he had only survived through being recognised by an Ashanti chief for whom he had done a small favour, and was spared; he was held prisoner for several months, locked in a dwelling which he shared with the severed heads of MacCarthy and Wetherell, kept as trophies of war.[citation needed]

Aftermath

[edit]

Some weeks after the battle, a larger British force made up of White and Native troops came to a standstill with the same Ashanti army that defeated McCarthy's force. Casualties on the British side included 176 dead and 677 men wounded. After the battle, the British army along with their regular troops withdrew back the coast.[5]

Literary References

[edit]

The battle and the wider campaign features in Flashman and the Golden Sword, written by Robert Brightwell. This, in turn, was based on the first-hand account of the battle by Captain Ricketts, one of the few survivors.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Raugh, Harold E. (2004). The Victorians at war : 1815 - 1914 : an encyclopedia of British military history. Santa Barbara [u.a.]: ABC-CLIO. pp. 33–34. ISBN 1-57607-925-2. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Edgerton (2010), pp. 77–79
  3. ^ Stapleton, Timothy J. (2013). A military history of Africa. the precolonial period : from ancient Egypt to the Zulu Kingdom. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger. pp. 93–94. ISBN 978-0-313-39570-3. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  4. ^ "Journal". 1873.
  5. ^ Edgerton (2010), pp. 80–81

Bibliography

[edit]
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