Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 02.djvu/141

ASHAHTI. to the north, probably caused by the spread of the Mohammedan Empire of Timbuktu. Our first positive glimpse of it is in the year 1700, when Kumassi was made the capital by Osai Too-too I., who conquered Akim. Assin, Ga- man, Denkira, and other neighboring States. In their course of conquest over the Fantis, the Ashantis became involved in war with the British from 1807 to 1811, and from 1822 to 1831. In the second war the Brit- ish met heavy reverses at first, but succeeded finally in driving the Ashantis from the sea- coast and fixing the river Prah as the southern boundary of their kingdom. In 1873-74, in con- sequence of disputes arising in connection with the cession of the Dutch forts to Britain, war broke out again, and an army under Sir Garnet Wolseley forced its way to the centre of the kingdom. After a severe battle at Amoaful, and several days' fighting, Kumassi was taken February 4, 1874, and burned on the 6th; and though the rainy season had set in, the army returned in safety to the coast. The King sub- mitted, promised to pay tribute, and to put an end to the slave traffic. In 1895, the King of Ashanti (Prempeh) having molested the Eng- lish settlers on the coast, and raided the natives in numerous slave-hunting expeditions, a strong British force was sent again to Kumassi, which it reached with little resistance. The King was forced to submit to English authority and the kingdom became a British protectorate (Janu- ary, 1896). In the spring of 1900 the Ashantis rose in sudden rebellion. The British Governor of the colony and some 200 troops were pent up in Kumassi by 15,000 Ashanti warriors. On June 3, Governor Hodgson, with a hun- dred men, succeeded in getting away to the coast, and on July 11 a relief expedition entered the town after a siege of nearly four months. Consult: H. C. J. Biss, The Relief of Kumassi (London, 1901); H. A. Freeman, Travel and Life in Ashanti and Jaman (London, 1898); C. C. Reindorf, History of the Gold Coast and Ashanti (Basel, 1895).

ASH'BURNER, (1854-89). An American geologist, born in Philadelphia, where he received his collegiate education. He became engaged in the geological survey of Pennsylvania, in the capacity of assistant, and afterwards was made head geologist, and carried on valuable investigations in connection with the survey of the coal-fields of Pennsylvania. He was a member of many scientific societies. His name is well known among geologists, both in this country and abroad, and is intimately associated with the history of coal stratigraphy. His writings include a large number of papers contributed to various scientific and technical journals.

ASH'BURTON, See.

ASHBURTON RIVER, A river of Western Australia, rising in the mountains west of the Great Sandy Desert, and flowing 400 miles northwestward into the Indian Ocean in latitude 22° S. (Map: Australia, B 3).

ASHBURTON TREA'TY. See : and.

ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH, ash'bi-dp-Ia-zooch' (after the Norman family La Zouch). A small town of Leicestershire, England, about 17 miles

northwest of Leicester (Map: England, E 4). Among the industries of the town are the manufacture of stockings, hats, and fire-brick. In the neighborhood are collieries and saline springs; ironstone, limestone, and fine clay are also found, the Church of Saint Helen is a rather handsome building; and the castle to the south of the town, now in ruins, known from Scott's Ivanhoe, was once the prison of Mary, Queen of Scots. Population, in 1891, 4500; in 1901, 4700. Consult E. Mammatt, History and Description of Ashby-de-la-Zouch (London, 1852).

ASH'BY, (1824-62). A Confederate general. Early in 1861 he raised a regiment of cavalry, and by successive promotions attained the rank of brigadier-general in 1862. In May, 1861, he commanded at Point of Rocks, near Harper's Ferry, and in the spring of 1862 covered General Jackson's retreat before General Banks, earning the highest praise for his ability and gallantry. In June, 1862, he was killed in a skirmish at Harrisonburg, Va., two days before the battle of Cross Keys.

ASH'BY-STER'RY, An English critic. He was born in London, and was educated as a painter, but soon turned to journalism. He has written some brilliant verses, sketches and novels, such as Nutshell Novels (1890); Lazy Minstrel (1892), which has run through many editions; Naugthy Girl: A Story of 1893 (1893); A Tale of the Thames in Verse (1896); and ''The Bystander; or. Leaves for the Lazy'' (1900). The last is a collection of his weekly papers in the Graphic under the title of "The Bystander."

ASH'DOD (Heb., stronghold). One of the five confederated Philistine cities, the modern village of Eshdud, three miles from the Mediterranean coast, between Gaza and Joppa. It had a commanding situation, and possessed a famous Dagon temple, in which the captured Yahweh ark was placed (I. Sam. v.). Sargon sent his general against this city in B.C. 711. Azuri had been superseded by his brother Ahimiti, and he had been overthrown by Yawani. Yawani was forced to flee to Muzri. Ahi-milki, King of Ashdod, is mentioned by Esarhaddon. According to Herodotus, the city was besieged twenty-nine years by Psammetichus. In the time of Nehemiah an Ashdodite dialect was spoken by the children in Jerusalem whose mothers were Philistines. Whether this was a Canaanitish or Aramaic dialect cannot be determined. Jonathan took the city in B.C. 147, and burned the Dagon temple. Pompey enfranchised the city. As Azotus, it became a centre of Greek civilization, and was also the seat of a Christian bishop.

ASHE, ii.sh, (1720-81). An American soldier. He was born in North Carolina; was a representative in the Colonial Assembly, and its presiding officer (1762-65), and was a member of the first Provincial Congress. Early in 1775 he recruited a force of 500, with which he took Fort Johnson, and in the following year he became brigadier-general of the North Carolina State troops. He was with General Lincoln in 1779, and while commanding an expedition sent to relieve Augusta, Ga., was surprised and defeated by General Prevost (March 3), at Brier Creek (q.v.). In 1781 he was made a prisoner at the capture of Wilmington (February 1), and after being treated with the utmost cruelty, died