Admiral Rawson and his Staff with the 1st and 2nd Divisions land at Warrigi and begin march on Benin. They march seven miles to Ceri.
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 11th.—The boat scouting party, which started this morning, consisting of a hundred men under Colonel Hamilton, went up the river about a mile and a half, and landed on the other side, where a few huts were seen. From there a short trip was made into the bush, but the ground being very swampy, it was obliged to return after traversing only a few hundred yards. Another party, under Searle, with the same number of men, a Maxim and seven-pounders, acted as reserve on this side of the river. It is now found to be impossible to throw a bridge over the creek, and to-morrow a party is to make a start from Ologbo towards Benin. All the Protectorate troops, under Erskine and Turner, will cross the Ologbo creek. The scouts to proceed first, to see that we are not ambuscaded. Colonel Hamilton will be in command, and I am to go as medical officer. We have been busy all day preparing loads for the carriers. I am in charge of the mess and the mess gear, and, as the fellows are a hungry lot, it can be easily imagined what a work I shall have to do to feed them. Up till now they have been very good, and have hardly grumbled or sworn at me at all. Captain Boisragon is invalided, and leaves for home at once; we do not think he is fit for active service, as he is still suffering from a shock due to his very severe experiences during that awful massacre of a month ago. The weather is very hot and very dry for this country; it has not rained since we arrived here a month ago. I have asked Consul-General Moor, in case I am knocked over, to sell all my effects ; we expect some heavy bush fighting to-morrow. A marine from H.M.S. Theseus died yesterday from heat apoplexy, but this is nothing, as many more will go down similarly. At present the men are in splendid condition. I have just heard that there has been a brush with the natives at Gwatto, four blue-jackets and an officer wounded. I am too busy to write more news, but I hope to do so tomorrow. We had a little surprise to night, as some shots were fired into camp, and the fellows got startled.
References
1) Bacon, R. H. Benin City of Blood, 1897
2) 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 11th.—The boat scouting party, which started this morning, consisting of a hundred men under Colonel Hamilton, went up the river about a mile and a half, and landed on the other side, where a few huts were seen. From there a short trip was made into the bush, but the ground being very swampy, it was obliged to return after traversing only a few hundred yards. Another party, under Searle, with the same number of men, a Maxim and seven-pounders, acted as reserve on this side of the river. It is now found to be impossible to throw a bridge over the creek, and to-morrow a party is to make a start from Ologbo towards Benin. All the Protectorate troops, under Erskine and Turner, will cross the Ologbo creek. The scouts to proceed first, to see that we are not ambuscaded. Colonel Hamilton will be in command, and I am to go as medical officer. We have been busy all day preparing loads for the carriers. I am in charge of the mess and the mess gear, and, as the fellows are a hungry lot, it can be easily imagined what a work I shall have to do to feed them. Up till now they have been very good, and have hardly grumbled or sworn at me at all. Captain Boisragon is invalided, and leaves for home at once; we do not think he is fit for active service, as he is still suffering from a shock due to his very severe experiences during that awful massacre of a month ago. The weather is very hot and very dry for this country; it has not rained since we arrived here a month ago. I have asked Consul-General Moor, in case I am knocked over, to sell all my effects ; we expect some heavy bush fighting to-morrow. A marine from H.M.S. Theseus died yesterday from heat apoplexy, but this is nothing, as many more will go down similarly. At present the men are in splendid condition. I have just heard that there has been a brush with the natives at Gwatto, four blue-jackets and an officer wounded. I am too busy to write more news, but I hope to do so tomorrow. We had a little surprise to night, as some shots were fired into camp, and the fellows got startled.
References
1) Bacon, R. H. Benin City of Blood, 1897
2) Roth, H. L. 1903 appendix 11 cited Roth N. F. A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'