The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-04-28 00:00:00

THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.

-
STORMING OF MAGDALA.

RELEASE OF THE CAPTIVES.
..._
DEATH OF KING THEODORE.

On Good Friday Sir Robert Napier had brought
his force within tea miles of llardela. The enemy
was in force, and meted in • very 'transposition.
Their ramp was visible on the precipitous heights. The
natural ravines they commanded were made more
dillioult of approach by escarpments, end It was
doubtful in what way the attack would begiu. The
rummy opened the battle. They attacked he fint
brigade, and wet. repulsed with great slaughter. The
earaeltirs on our side were—Captain Roberts, 4th Foot,
wounded in the arm, and fifteen tank and
Ale wounded no one killed. But the moral
elute of the enemy's defeat were even more kn.
portant than its immediate result. The next day King
Theodore tardily offered to treat, but was unwilling to
acknowledge the hopelessness of 'his position. The un-
conditional surrender of all the captives wee demanded,
though it was feared that the English prisoners had been
killed. On that day, however, and the next, Theodore
soot into the British camp every European la his power,
both uptiveo and utilisers. But he still declined to
surrender himself WU Sir Robert Napier's buds.
Twenty-four bun were given him to decide,
end, still resisting, Ilagdals was stormed on
Easter Woodsy. The anatilt was conducted under
*over of Armstrong steel guns, eight-inch mortars,
sod the rocket liettery, and was completely sue-
cesetni. It is indeed true, that by that time the
Emperor mune to have lost all command over the mass
of his forma. The most formidable position without
the city had bun surrendered, and the Abyssinians laid
down their arms by thousands. Bat Theodore was still
resolute, and with a band of faithful adherents retired
to Nuclide. The ascent to the getes we. most
able, and Theodore with his followers resisted
desperately, but it was fighting against impossibilities.
If we may credit one account, it would seem that
In the deMsive moment of his fate Theodore
killed himself with his pistol, as the British troops
approached him. Otherdespatches 'haply my that be was
lulled. But, however, it occurred, the tut was certain,
for his dead body was recognised by those who had been
his prisoners. With his death the war terminated, and
Sir Rebel Napier announoes that the army will retire
honiediately. Our loss was small ; the Tines' correspon-
dent &v,.e it as only ten wounded. The result. axe:—
King Theodore killed, the prisoners surrendered,
14.000 of the enemy laid down their arms, 500 were
killed, and 1,500 wounded. Theodore's two sons were
taken prisoners. The fortress presented many egidespee
of barbaric splendonr. Among the trophies taken are
four gold crowns, 26.000 dollars, 1,000 silver plates, and
many jewels, and oth..r articles; 5,00 stand of arms,
28 pieces of artillery, 100,01J0 spears.
The British commander obtained possession of the
famous mortar, and all the field pieces which the King
was able to drag so far as lierdela. In the fortress
there were provisions for three months—ample proof
that Theodore trusted to ito impregnability, and =UM-
petted a siege.
The European prisoners, numbering sixty man,
women, and children, are on their way to Zoeilla.