Published by Methuen & Co. 1896. Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. With a chapter on the political and commercial position of Ashanti by Sir George Baden-Powell. 1st English edition. Very clean, tight and well preserved copy; appears unread. Pages uncut, deckle edged. Gilt Askari and Native to front board bright. 199pp. Octavo. Author is recognized as the founder of the Boy Scouts. Bookplate of the Cavalry Club. Scarce.
This is the definitive and standard account of the Ashanti campaign by the future hero of the siege of Mafeking and founder of the Scouting movement, Major-General Robert Baden-Powell. B-P commanded a unit of Native Levies during the Fourth Ashanti War in 1895-96. The conflict was caused by Britain's desire to keep its French and German colonial rivals out of the gold- and rubber-rich west African Ashanti kingdom. The Ashanti king, Prempeh, ordered his people not to resist the invasion by a mixed British and West Indian force, augmented by B-P's native tribesmen, but losses due to disease were high. Eighteen soldiers died, and 50% of the expedition fell sick. After taking the Ashanti capital Kumasi King Prempeh was unable to pay the fine of 50,000 ounces of gold demanded by the British, so he was disposed, and, along with other Ashanti leaders, sent into exile in the Seychelles. B-P's s book is both an account of the almost bloodless campaign, and an apologia for its aims.
- Jacket Condition: N/A
- Binding Condition: Near fine
- Overall Condition: Near Fine
- Size: 8 Vo
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- Country: United Kingdom
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