European powers squabbled over the Gold Coast until, in 1664, the British achieved dominance, securing Cape Coast Castle and establishing a regional capital. Despite Britain's control of the coast, much of the hinterland remained outside its influence for two centuries. As a major power in the Gold Coast, the "threat" of the Asante in the interior sparked an eventual clamour in Britain for decisive action, and in 1873 Sir Garnet Wolsey was ordered to sail from Liverpool to deal with the menace. A month later three battalions sailed from England and Ireland to join them.
Wolsey proceeded north from Cape Coast, marching some 10km a day during the relative cool of the morning, and resting his men during the heat of the day. The Asante kept tabs on the British troops but declined military engagement.
Wolsey's first battle took place at Amoafo, about 110 miles north of Cape Coast. (Other sources give the nameas "Amoaful".) Amoafo was the first demonstration of the superiority of British arms over the Asante weapons. Wolsey's army of 2,200 men were heavily outnumbered by the Asante, possibly by a factor of ten to one, but the Asante's outdated muskets were no match for the British breech-loading Snider-Enfield rifles, and assorted artillery and rockets. It was a massacre, leaving thousands of Asante dead - with the British suffering only four fatalities.
The victory at Amoafo no doubt galvanised the British troops' morale as they pressed on the last 60km to Kumasi, but they were in for a surprise when they reached that city in early 1874.
Originally published by African Business.