The Ashanti (also spelled Ashantee or Asante) are a major ethnic group of central Ghana. Prior to European colonization, they developed a large and influential empire in West Africa. However, the coastal people came to rely on British protection against Ashanti incursions. The Ashanti strongly resisted British efforts to subjugate them -- between 1806 and 1896, Britain fought seven wars against the Ashanti kings (Ashantehene) but finally defeated them in 1900 and incorporated it into the Gold Coast colony.

      The first three wars were little more than skirmishes; the first of consequence raged from 1823 to 1831. In the early stages the British were thoroughly defeated with the head of the governor of the Gold Coast colony being kept as a trophy. The Ashanti swept down to the coast but disease forced them back. The Ashanti were so successful in subsequent fighting that in 1826 they again moved to the coast defeating superior numbers of British allied forces. However, the employment of British rockets caused the Ashanti army to withdraw. In 1831, the Pra River was accepted as the border in a treaty, and there was thirty-two years of peace.

      The second Anglo-Ashanti War (1863-1864) ended in a stalemate with both sides losing more men to sickness than combat. The third (1873-1874) ended with a British victory. In 1871 Britain purchased the Dutch Gold Coast from the Dutch which included territory claimed by the Ashanti. The Ashanti invaded the new British protectorate to reclaim what they considered was theirs. This led to the British Government sending General Wolseley with 2,500 British troops and several thousand West Indian and African troops to deal with the Ashanti in late 1871. Among the British forces was the 42nd Regiment (Black Watch) in which Major Duncan Macpherson, eldest son of 'Old Cluny' was serving.

      The first battle of the war was fought at Amoaful on 31 January and after five days' fighting, ended with the Battle of Ordahsu. The Ashanti abandoned their capital, Kumasi which was briefly occupied by the British and burned. Wolseley completed the campaign in two months, and re-embarked his troops for home before the unhealthy season began. Most of the 300 British casualties were from disease although Major Duncan was wounded at Amoaful. Wolseley left behind a power vacuum which led to more fighting, as the Ashantehene could no longer control his vassal tribes. In 1896 the British initiated the fourth war to end Ashanti independence and thwart German efforts.