2 AUGUST 1873, Page 3

Prince Ossoo Ansoll, an uncle to the Ashantee King, but

educated in England, has supplied to the Times an account of the organisation of the King's army. The present King is named Koffee Calcalli, and is eighth of his dynasty, a light man, scarcely darker than a Spaniard, and of some ability, but no education. He can bring into the field about 100,000 men, commanded usually by their own Princes, under a kind of feudal arrange• ment, but he has trained generals also, who accompany him in his battles. His men are armed with long muskets, short carbines, and pikes, are divided into regiments, and are fed usually by the King, who has enormous wealth in the way of provisions. The King's revenues are derived principally from his gold mines, and a royalty over the gold belonging to his subjects, sources of revenue which, if we are compelled to destroy him, should be imme- diately annexed. Altogether, remembering that many of his subjects are really hostile, he would appear to be as powerful as an ordinary Indian Prince, and might require 3,000 Europeans and about 10,000 Houssas and Fantees, with a battery of artillery, completely to destroy his regime. By the latest accounts he was still within twelve miles of Cape Coast Castle, not attacking, but not venturing to retreat,—a difficult feat for an Ashantee, who depends a good deal for his sovereignty upon prestige.