The disembarking from the ships to the branch steamers has commenced, and the Philomel, Widgeon and Barrosa are proceeding to Gwato Creek. The Alecto and Phoebe are also ready for action.
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 9th. —It is really quite a sight to see the black troops quartered in this native town of Ceri; there are 250 of them. One is tumbling over them all day, or rather all night, as during the day they are hard at work in the camp which we are making for the white troops here. The officers' mess is also quite a sight; we are thirteen, all told. Searle, who is working like a nigger all day building huts in the camp, is also looking after all the provisions for the mess, and I am mess president, looking after the food, of course, and bossing the black boys and cook, and seeing that the water is boiled before distribution. I seem to be busy all day, and when night comes I feel that very little has been done. Last night we sounded the assembly, so as to get the men to their posts, just as if we were having a night attack from the natives. The men turned out well; they were all dressed and in their accoutrements and at their posts in about two and a half minutes, which is considered very good. After inspecting them, to see that they had come to their proper places, we dismissed them to their quarters. The gunners under Searle were prepared for action in the short space of two and a quarter minutes, all fully equipped. It seems strange to sit under a thatched roof on four posts, and eat one's food in the open, and then after dinner to clear away and write letters. As I sit here at the present moment a big ant walks calmly over my paper, or some other insect drops from the roof down my neck; as of course we all wear shirts unbuttoned at the neck, we give the insects, etc., every chance. Then, again, the chattering of the native troops is rather astonishing, one would think we were really amongst a lot of women; unfortunately we are not, God bless them all the same. Many amongst us will wish for their tender care to nurse us as we go down with the fever, or by the enemy's shot.
References
1) Bacon, R. H. Benin City of Blood, 1897
2) Boisragon, A. The Benin Massacre, 1897
3) 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
4) 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 9th. —It is really quite a sight to see the black troops quartered in this native town of Ceri; there are 250 of them. One is tumbling over them all day, or rather all night, as during the day they are hard at work in the camp which we are making for the white troops here. The officers' mess is also quite a sight; we are thirteen, all told. Searle, who is working like a nigger all day building huts in the camp, is also looking after all the provisions for the mess, and I am mess president, looking after the food, of course, and bossing the black boys and cook, and seeing that the water is boiled before distribution. I seem to be busy all day, and when night comes I feel that very little has been done. Last night we sounded the assembly, so as to get the men to their posts, just as if we were having a night attack from the natives. The men turned out well; they were all dressed and in their accoutrements and at their posts in about two and a half minutes, which is considered very good. After inspecting them, to see that they had come to their proper places, we dismissed them to their quarters. The gunners under Searle were prepared for action in the short space of two and a quarter minutes, all fully equipped. It seems strange to sit under a thatched roof on four posts, and eat one's food in the open, and then after dinner to clear away and write letters. As I sit here at the present moment a big ant walks calmly over my paper, or some other insect drops from the roof down my neck; as of course we all wear shirts unbuttoned at the neck, we give the insects, etc., every chance. Then, again, the chattering of the native troops is rather astonishing, one would think we were really amongst a lot of women; unfortunately we are not, God bless them all the same. Many amongst us will wish for their tender care to nurse us as we go down with the fever, or by the enemy's shot.
References
1) Bacon, R. H. Benin City of Blood, 1897
2) Boisragon, A. The Benin Massacre, 1897
3) 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
4) Roth, H. L. 1903 appendix 11 cited Roth N. F. A DIARY OF A SURGEON WITH THE BENIN PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'