Battle of Amoaful

The Battle of Amoaful was a battle fought on 31 January 1874 during the Third Anglo-Ashanti War when Sir Garnet Wolseley defeated the Ashantis after strong resistance.[1] The attack was led by the 42nd Regiment of Foot.[1] At Amoaful, one combat post-mortem pays tribute to the Ashanti commander: "The great Chief Amanquatia was among the killed. Admirable skill was shown in the position selected by Amanquatia, and the determination and generalship he displayed in the defence fully bore out his great reputation as an able tactician and gallant soldier."[2] Lance-Sergeant Samuel McGaw was awarded the Victoria Cross for action during the battle.[3]

Battle of Amoaful
Part of Third Anglo-Ashanti War
A British illustration of the battle
Date 31 January 1874 Location West Africa Result Decisive British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Ashanti Empire
Commanders and leaders
Sir Garnet Wolseley	Chief Amanquatia
Strength
2,500 troops	unknown
Casualties and losses
16 officers and 174 men killed and wounded	unknown

References

1. Ashanti Wars Heritage History
2. Low, Charles Rathbone (1878). A Memoir of Lieutenant-General Sir Garnet J. Wolseley. London: R. Bentley & Son. p. 174.
3. Lance Sergeant Samuel McGaw Archived March 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Black Watch