half past three
As the 42d advanced troops were from time to time sent forward until a despatch came in from Sir A. Alison saying that all the villages save the last were taken , that opposition had ceased , and that the enemy were in complete rout . Up to this time the attack of the enemy upon the rear of the village had continued with unabated vigor , and shot and slug continually fell in the place itself . The news from the front was soon known and was hailed with a cheer which went right round the line of defense , and , whether scared by its note of triumph or because they too had received the news , the efforts of the enemy ceased at once , and scarcely another shot was fired . At half past three the baggage was sent forward and the headquarter staff and Rifle Brigade followed it . There was no further check . The 42d and several companies of the Rifle Brigade entered Coomassie without another shot being fired in its defense . Sir Garnet Wolseley soon after arrived , and taking off his hat called for three cheers for the Queen , which was responded to with a heartiness and vigor which must have astonished the Ashantis .