Admiral Rawson and Consul General Moor have come up the coast from Brass to the Benin River to get further acquainted with the scenes of future operations of the expedition and to inspect the ships.
Extract from A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION' By FELIX N. ROTH, M.R.C.S., and L.R.C.P.
Ceri, February 8th.—We are still at this place, getting things—houses, etc.— ready for the naval column. We did a lot of work to-day. I found a spring, and have dammed it up, so that a large number of men can draw water from it. To-night Major Gallwey, our Consul, and Executive Commander Bacon, have got a canoe and boys, and are reconnoitring up the Ologbo creek, to find out if there is any branch connecting with Benin City. We think there must be a branch, as we cannot understand how else the Benin City people can obtain their drinking water. It is rather a risky undertaking for the two men, but they are both cautious, and will, no doubt, bring back a lot of useful information. They cannot go during the day, as when we tried a little while back, one of our officers was fired upon. In so far as I can find out we shall cut a road from Ceri to a position opposite Ologbo Town, which is a few miles distant from here. We shall then shell Ologbo itself, land some black troops, and build a suspension bridge, which has been prepared by the naval men. The span is about 70 or 80 yards; we are not sure of the length, but shall know in a day or two. We shall then most probably form a big base there, land the naval brigade and stores, etc., and make a start to cut the bush path which leads to Benin. The following is to be the order of procedure:—Captain Turner, of the Protectorate, will scout with about 60 Bonny men, the same who did the scouting for the Ashanti Expedition in 1873. These men will work through the bush to find out where the natives may be lurking; they will be supported by our black troops, but how many I do not know. Then come the bush cutters and more black troops, with two doctors, one being myself. We shall do this till we get close to Benin, when a naval column will come up and help to take the city. This is to take place within seven or eight days. There may be a little fighting, but such care will be taken that I think few men will be killed. Ubini is the native name for Benin City. So far all the white men are fit; I trust few will go down with fever.
References
1) Bacon, R. H. Benin City of Blood, 1897
2) THE BENIN EXPEDITION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADVANCE DEFIANT MESSAGE FROM THE KING. (REUTER’S SPECIAL SERVICE) SAPELE, BENIN RIVER, Publication: Guardian 1821 – 2000; Date: Feb 9, 1897; Section: None; Page 8
3) Roth, H. L. 1903 appendix 11 cited Roth N. F. A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'
Extract from A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION' By FELIX N. ROTH, M.R.C.S., and L.R.C.P.
Ceri, February 8th.—We are still at this place, getting things—houses, etc.— ready for the naval column. We did a lot of work to-day. I found a spring, and have dammed it up, so that a large number of men can draw water from it. To-night Major Gallwey, our Consul, and Executive Commander Bacon, have got a canoe and boys, and are reconnoitring up the Ologbo creek, to find out if there is any branch connecting with Benin City. We think there must be a branch, as we cannot understand how else the Benin City people can obtain their drinking water. It is rather a risky undertaking for the two men, but they are both cautious, and will, no doubt, bring back a lot of useful information. They cannot go during the day, as when we tried a little while back, one of our officers was fired upon. In so far as I can find out we shall cut a road from Ceri to a position opposite Ologbo Town, which is a few miles distant from here. We shall then shell Ologbo itself, land some black troops, and build a suspension bridge, which has been prepared by the naval men. The span is about 70 or 80 yards; we are not sure of the length, but shall know in a day or two. We shall then most probably form a big base there, land the naval brigade and stores, etc., and make a start to cut the bush path which leads to Benin. The following is to be the order of procedure:—Captain Turner, of the Protectorate, will scout with about 60 Bonny men, the same who did the scouting for the Ashanti Expedition in 1873. These men will work through the bush to find out where the natives may be lurking; they will be supported by our black troops, but how many I do not know. Then come the bush cutters and more black troops, with two doctors, one being myself. We shall do this till we get close to Benin, when a naval column will come up and help to take the city. This is to take place within seven or eight days. There may be a little fighting, but such care will be taken that I think few men will be killed. Ubini is the native name for Benin City. So far all the white men are fit; I trust few will go down with fever.
References
1) Bacon, R. H. Benin City of Blood, 1897
2) THE BENIN EXPEDITION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADVANCE DEFIANT MESSAGE FROM THE KING. (REUTER’S SPECIAL SERVICE) SAPELE, BENIN RIVER, Publication: Guardian 1821 – 2000; Date: Feb 9, 1897; Section: None; Page 8
3) Roth, H. L. 1903 appendix 11 cited Roth N. F. A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'