The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-05 00:00:00

THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDI77ON.

(From the Special Correspondent of the Times.)
BOMBAY, Oct. 14.
Nature evidently forgot all about special corre-
spondents when she made it impossible for one man
to be in two places at once. No sooner am I ar-
rived in Bombay than I find the advance brigade of
the expeditionary force on the point of starting for

Massowah, and as I watch the transports steaming

out of harbour, amid the most untropically energetic
cap-waving and cheering of a swarm of blue-jackets
the Octavia, feel a twinge of envy at the thought
that it may possibly fall to the lot of some luckier
correepondent to record deeds of prowess done
by the Brigade on Abyssinian ground. Besides,
everything Abyssinian seems just now so vividly
associated in the British mind with all that is roman-
tic and terrible—impenetrable forests, pathless pre-
cipices, hyenas, lions, and cut_throat tribes—that I
quite despair of writing anything about the expedi-
tion that will not disappoint your readers from
matter-of-fact Bombay, where the very utmost I
could offer them, in the way of horrors, is a small
snake or jackal. It is like having to write a sensa-
tion novel without being allowed one murder or
suicide. However, on the other hand, only a small
portion of the expeditionary force has left Bombay.
The main body and the Commander-in-Chief will
probably not get away for another six weeks, so I
think it best not to sacrifice—for the present, at
any rate—the obvious advantages of being at head-
quarters, and console myself with the reflection that
even were I the historian of the fortunate warriors
who are to enjoy the first sight of Abyssinia, I
might have nothing more romantic or terrible to
describe for your readers than the ravages of mos-
quitoes and the masterly debarcation of mules.
There has been a notion here that the advance bri-
gade were to push on into the interior of Abyssinia,
either to make a dash, if occasion offered, at the
prisoners, or in the hope of terrifying Theodore by
their actual presence into a surrender, and thus at
the last moment avert the necessity of moving the
main body at all. But they are really to act only
as a pioneer force on a large scale, to select a good
landing-place, build sheds and barracks, establish a
depot, and make all other arrangements for the re-
ception and accommodaion of the main force. After
this, if it be found unnecessary or undesirable to re-
main at Massowab, and there await the arrival of
the Commander-in-Chief. Bombay still professes
to hope the Commander-in-Chief may never reach
Abyssinia ; that at the eleventh hour Theodore, see-
ing that England is really in earnest, may " cave
in," or the prisoners be somehow released. But I
trust it is not uncharitable (since mortals are mas-
ters only of their will and not of their inclinations)
to say that the lips have decidedly more to do with
this profession than the heart. The expedition is as
popular here as it is unpopular at home, and there is
the most amusing contrast between the gloomy, de-
sponding tone in which the dangers and difficulties
of a march through Abyssinia are harped upon and
bemoaned by the English public, and the easy, off-
hand style in which they are disposed of by the
public in India. It would be less surprising if this
couleur-de-rose view were confined to Bombay,
which is to have nearly all the glory and excitement
of the expedition without the expense. A cheap ex-
cursion to Hades itself would be welcomed as an
agreeable variation from the monotony of an Anglo-
Indian soldier's life, who, like the Irishman, soon
" gets mouldy from want of a bating." Yesterday
a sergeant told me he hoped it was true that the
Abyssinians were fond of fighting, for that " we
sadly wanted something to liven us." But the rest of
India is equally sanguine. The Friend of India, one
of the leading Anglo-Indian papers, considers that
" the difficulties are trifling enough, and become less
so as our information enlarges ;" and a wild scheme
worthy of Colney-hatch, for sending 200 volunteers
into the heart of Abyssinia (one patriot actually
offering to embark £2,000 in the speculation) has
been discussed by a portion of the press in all sober-
ness and gravity.
However, this sanguine spirit of heroism is harm-
less enough, and even matter for congratulation,
since it has not been allowed to affect the scale on
which the preparations for the expedition are being
made, or to diminish the labour and precautions
necessary to insure success. We may talk of sending
200 heroes into Abyssinia to eclipse Thermopylae,
and recall the golden age of chivalry, but as a matter
of fact we are taking as large and well equipped a
force as the gloomiest prophet in England could wish.
The entire force leaving India is to consist of over
12,000 effectives. Of these 4,000 will"be Europeans
—four regiments of infantry (Ist battalion 4th Foot,
the 2Gth, 33d, and 45th), two squadrons of cavalry
(3d Dragoon Guards), five batteries of artillery
(C-E, R. 11. A.; G-14, R.A.; 3-21, R.A.; 5-21, R.A.;
and 5-25, R. A.). The remainder will consist of na-
tives, as follows :—lnfantry, 9 regiments-2d (Gre-
nadiers), sth (Light Infantry), Bth, 10th, 18th, 25th
Light Infantry, Ist Belooch Battalion, and one
(Punjab) from Bengal; cavalry, four regiments (3d
Light Cavalry, 10th ditto, 12th ditto, and 3.1 Scinde
llorse ; six companies of Sappers, and the 23d (Pun-
jab) Pioneers, and No. 1 company of Native Artil-
lery. One of the above-mentioned batteries will
have Armstrong guns, with elephant carriage for
the mountains ; two mountain trains will go from
India, and guns and equipment for two more will
be sent out from England. The British infantry will
have the Snider rifle, the artillery and cavalry the
Snider carbine. The Native Infantry will have the
new pattern smooth bore musket, except the Belooch
Battalion, which will have the Enfield. Ammunition
will be taken in boxes, suited to mule carriage, to
the amount of 500 rounds per man for infantry,
and 200 for cavalry.
As the chief difficulty against which the army
will have to contend will probably be that of trans-
port over precipitous mountains and through narrow
defiles, the one great object which is being steadily
kept in view throughout the preparations, and to
which all others are made subordinate, ie light
equipment, of a kind always, if necessary, a lapt-
able to mule carriage. Thus the howitzers in the
mountain train battery, throwing a 121 b. shell 800
yards, do not weigh more than 2001 b., a load just
within the capacity of a stout mule. The 5i inch
mortars, throwing a 241 b. shell 800 yards, weigh
only 1501 b. A portable pontoon train is being
prepared expressly for mule carriage, which can be
taken in sections by five mules. Another kind
(Blanchard's infantry pontoon) is going, which can
be taken in short lengths by two mules. Cow-hides
capable of being inflated will also be used for cross-
ing rivers.

In addition to the army of 12,000 fighting men
there will be at least 8,000 followers. This is the
number at present allowed, but I confess I scarcely
myself see how it can be kept down to this, if it be
true (as 1 learn on good authority) that vigorous
efforts are being made to muster some 35,000 animals
altogether at Massowah. The failure at Bhootan was
in great measure attributed to the paucity of mule.
teem, thetre being only one to every three mules. Now,
24,000 mules are being collected (from India,Bagdad,
Egypt, Spain, and Syria) for the Abyssian expedi-
tion, and the 8,000 followers cannot, most certainly,
be all of them muleteers. Then there will be ponies,
bullocks, a few camels (from Aden), and 40 ele-
phants (from Calcutta). How far the camels and
elephants will be, able to go remains to be proved.
The accounts of.travellers through Abyssinia are so
conflicting that any statement advanced by one is
sure to he contradicted by some other. If heavier
beasts prove tr_elesq, the mules will have a hard
t of it. •

I should be sorry wantonly to harrow the
British taxpayer's feeling, but it may perhaps
be as well to mention a fact or two that may
help to prepare him for the little Abyssinian
account in store for him. The expenditure of the
Commissariat Department for food in Bombay itself
alone, not counting money spent in other parts of
this Presidency or elsewhere, and exclusive of trans-
port, purchase of animals, medical stores, &c., is
estimated at £100,009 a month, and the expedition
is not to advance into Abyssinia until it has seven
months' food actually collected, and a three months'
reserve guaranteed ready a soon as wanted. Ilmvy
as this is, the cost of transport is proportionately
heavy. I cannot estimate the total amount, for I
don't yet know how many transports it will be neces-
sary to engage. Besides Government, although it

hires the great majority, has purchased a few (as
the more economical course), and this rather com-
plicates the calculation. But, to take only one very
significant item, the advance brigade, which does
not constitute one-eighth of the entire force, took
up five sailing vessels (aggregate tonnage 4,915)
and six steamers (5,068 tons). The sailing vessels
get on an average £1 per ton a month, the steamers
£2 Bs. (Government also supplying coal), and all
transports are guaranteed six mouths' employ. Thus
to move the advance brigade from Bombay to Mas-
sowah involved an outlay of over £lOO,OOO, Govern-
ment having, of course, the use of the transports for
what remains of the six months. I have heard the
total cost of the expedition roughly estimated by
one who is in a position to make a good guess at
from five to six millions ; but I have not myself yet
seen materials enough for a judgment whether this
amount is anywhere near the mark.
As might he expected the formidable dimensions
of time force have provoked considerable criticism,
but if an expedition into Abyssinia must be made,
success should be as certain as military science can
render it ; and this can only be effected in an un-
known hostile territory by proceeding in the forma-
tion of a base line, on which are established depots
of provisions, and military posts of sufficient
strength to maintain communications. A strong
post will also.be wanted near enough to the tract
occupied by Theodore, to form a base from which
operations can be carried on against him. These
precautions cannot be taken without plenty of men,
and I have even heard (though not on the best
authority) that Sir Robert Napier would like to have
4,000 more. He would not have much trouble in
getting them, so far as the men themselves are con-

cerned. The other day, when the Ist regiment to
sail, the 10th Native infantry, required a few men
to complete their number, so many volunteers came

forward from two regiments in garrison with them,
that the 10th could have doubled its strength in an
hour. The army is in capital temper and spirits, and
has complete confidence in its chief. Indeed, it is to
this confidence, entertained in military circles all
overlndia, that may be, in some measure, attributed
those sanguine theories about the expedition to which
I have before referred. The favourable report of
Colonel Merewether, Bombay's philosopher and
guide in this affair, may, too, have something to do
with them, and also the notion that the effeminate
Englishmen who live at home at 'ease take fright at
conditions of climate which it is the proud privi-
lege of the Anglo-Indian veteran to despise. The
confidence felt in Sir Robert Napier is due quite as
much to his reputation for a kind heart as to his
reputation for a strong will, and cool, clear head.
It is felt that in this expedition a General is wanted
who will not, a la Napoleon, be ready to sacrifice
his men to the chance of turning up, for his own
profit and glory, a trump card. Besides, as your
readers will see by the subjoined extract from the
Bombay Army List, the Commander-in-Chief has
gone through quite enough arduous and successful
service to justify a considerable amount of confi-
dence in him :

" Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier, K.C.8.,
Royal Engineers, served throughout the Sutlej cam-
paign of 1845-46, Chief Engineer at Moodkee (horse
killed) and at Ferozeshah (severely wounded, horse
killed) ; Brigade Major of Engineers at Sobraon,
and in the subsequent advance on Lahore (medal
and clasps and Brevet Major). Appointed, 1846,
chief engineer to conduct the siege of the hill fort of
Kangra, and received the special thanks of Govern-
ment for his service in the transport of the siege
train to that place. Chief Engineer during part of
the siege of Mooltan, 1819 (severely wounded) ;
Commanding Engineer Right wing of the Army of
the Punjab at the battle of Goojerat, and in Sir
Walter Gilbert's pursuit of the Sikh Army (medal,
clasp, and Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel). Com-
manded a column which defeated the liussunzie
tribe on the Black Mountain in Hazara, 1852.
Present with the expedition against the Boree
Afreeders, 1852-53, received special thanks of Go-
vernment. Chief of Sir J. Outram's Staff, 1857;
present in the several actions leading to the first relief
of Lucknow, Mungulwar, Alumbagh, and Charbagh ;
commanded the troops in the rescue of the sit-ge
train which had been surrounded and cut off in the
suburbs ; the sortie for the capture of Phillip's
Garden Battery ; and other separate operations
(severely wounded). Present as Chief of the
Staff in the later operations at the Alumbagli. Bri-
gadier and Chief Engineer at the siege of Lucknow,
1858, K.C.B. Commanded a brigade at the cap-
ture of Gwalior, defeated Tantia Topee at Joura,
Alipoor, and captured 25 guns. When in command
of the Gwalior Division, bombarded and reduced
the Fort of Powrie ; after five days' close pursuit,
surprised and defeated, with a squadron of the 14th
Dragoons, Ferozeshah's force at Ranode. Com-
manded in 1860 the 2d Division of the China Ex-
peditionary Army ; in the action of Sinho. Present
at Tanko (Division in reserve) ; with his division
and the whole of the artillery, in conjunction with
the French division of General Collineau, directed ,

the operations ending in the storm of the North
Takee Fort, advance on and occupati.)n of Pekin."

It certainly was not for want of tight packing

that so many transports were required for the
Ad-
vance Brigade. I went over three of them, and the
mules were as closely stowed away together between
decks as sardines, on the principle, apparently, that
if rough weather came on, and the vessel pitched or
rolled, they might stand their ground, and defy the
motion in one solid mass. The horses were treated
with a little more ceremony, being separated from
each other by rough extempore railings. As for the
men, unless they slept on or under the animals, or,
like the mules, standing all together for mutual
support in a row, I cannot conjecture how they
disposed of themselves. Happily the native sol-
dier (there were no European regiments in the
Advance Brigade, it being considered undesirable
to expose European constitutions more than can be
helped to the climate of Massowah) is a patient,
much-enduring animal, always ready to take his
food or sleep when he can get it, but wonderfully
resigned when he is obliged to go without it,
and as great an economist of weight and space
as Sir Charles Napier himself, although his
travelling toilette does not usually take the form of
a toothbrush and clean shirt. Imagine an Eng-
lishman obliged, in addition to the othei miseries
of life on board ship, having to live for ten days or
so on parched corn. This is what probably more
than half of the native soldiers who go to Abyssinia
will do without a murmur. Omnipotent and capri-
cious caste, though it allows them to eat and sleep,
will not allow them to cook when on the " black
water," so they are given rations of parched grain,
with a little sugar and ghee to flavour it and water
to wash it down. Of the followers, or non-com-
batants, who, being mostly of a lower caste than
the soldiers, are less troubled with scruples of this
kind, the great majority will as soon cook on board
ship as anywhere else. The heat between decks
towards night was something awful, although in the
hope of mitigating it large ventilating shafts were
run down from above, and holes knocked in the
deck, with a proper military preference of the com-
fort
of the mules to the pockets of the shipowners.

• It seemed to me as if no animal could exist there
for an hour; but a few natives, who might just as
easily have been on deck, were lolling about, every
man his own Turkish bath, as if one of the greatest
'pleasures in life was unlimited perspiration. The
last mail brought us intelligence that ten mules
belonging to the pioneer force had died from the
heat ou the way to Aden, but that there had been
no casualties among the men or horses. The un-
eventful history of the Abpsinian Expedition is,
so far, briefly this :—On the 16th of last month the
pioneer force, consisting of 40 men of the 31 Native
Light Cavalry, about 100 men of the 21st Native

Infantry, and a company of Sappers and Miners,
left Bombay, and in ten days reached Aden, with
no other incident worth chronicling than the
tragedy recorded above. lhe force was accompanied
by Col. Merewether, C. 8., Col. Phayre, Col. Wil-
kins, R.E., and other officers. It wa3 followed three
or four days ago by the advance brigade, consist-
ing of the remainder of the 3d Light Cavalry, the
10th Native Infantry, two compains of Sappers
and Miners, one company of nat've artillery, a
Land Transport Corps, a MArine b ittalion—in all
nearly three thousand men--including non-com-
batants. The next detachment is t sail from Kur-