@ Bredder Tukoma

The National Archives based in London Hold ton's of info on the Ashanti Wars.

The use of colonials and slaves for military purposes was very much the forte of the British, although some of the regiments were created by the French and given the name WIR under the British. Indian regiments were also used in West Africa (as well as to put down revolts amongst their own people) Whilst the WIR were used across the Caribbean not only to fight other imperial powers but also slave revolts...They also saw service in Palastine and India. Within Africa these regiments often fought alongside native African regiments.

One of the WIR even saw action in America(I assume against the French but not certain)

What I should point out that although the name West India Regiment is used continueousy from it's creation in the late 18thC they were often disbanded and reformed over the next two centuries.


And yes they were slaves often purchased by the military or press ganged afer being liberated from slave ships (post 1807-I imagine it is these particular soliders the author referrs to, since the Asanti would have been responsible for their predicament.)

There were also several cases (well documented) of mutiny's